May 7, 2026 – The results are in for the 9th Annual Cidercraft Awards, and this year’s competition highlighted the incredible diversity, innovation and craftsmanship shaping the current cider industry. With entries from across the United States, Canada and even Ukraine, the competition showcased everything from refined traditional tannic ciders to adventurous botanical blends and fruit-forward modern styles.
Following an open call for submissions promoted through Cidercraft Magazine, regional cider associations and social media channels, commercial cideries from across the industry submitted entries for consideration in this year’s competition. Each cider was then evaluated through a blind tasting by our distinguished panel of judges, who assessed every entry solely on its own merits.
Among this year’s standout producers, Snow Capped Cider of Cedaredge, Colorado once again proved to be one of the competition’s most consistently awarded cideries, earning an extraordinary 23 awards across multiple categories and styles. Since entering the Cidercraft Awards, Snow Capped has continually demonstrated exceptional range, craftsmanship and quality, producing one of the competition’s strongest and most consistently medal-winning portfolios year after year.
Snow Capped’s haul included:
- 6 Platinum Awards
- 5 Double Gold Awards
- 5 Gold Awards
- 3 Silver Awards
- 4 Judges’ Picks
The cidery demonstrated remarkable range and consistency, earning top honors in categories including Single Varietal, Perry, Rosé, Modern-Dry, Modern-Sweet, Wood-Aged and Co-Ferments. Highlights included Platinum-winning ciders such as Kingston Black Reserve, Mountain Rose, Platinum Elevation and The Russets, along with Double Gold honors for Winter Pear, Sour Cherry and Barrel Aged Kingston Black.
The competition also revealed several broader trends shaping today’s cider landscape. Washington State cideries delivered an especially strong performance, with producers such as Schilling Cider, Puget Sound Cider Company, Slightly Furry and Soundbite Cider earning multiple top placements throughout the competition. Experimental and modern styles continued to gain momentum as categories like Botanical, Cocktail Inspired and Co-Ferments showcased the creativity and boundary-pushing spirit of contemporary cider makers.
Other standout performers included:
- Schilling Cider (Auburn, WA) with multiple placements in Imperial, Tropical and Botanical categories
- Puget Sound Cider Company (Renton, WA) with awards spanning traditional and fruit-forward styles
- Soundbite Cider (Everett, WA) earning Platinum awards in both Cocktail Inspired and Specialty categories
- Champlain Orchards (Shoreham, VT) capturing Platinum honors in both Hopped and Botanical categories
For cider enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike, these award-winning ciders represent some of the finest bottles being produced today. The producers behind them continue to raise the bar with distinctive flavors, thoughtful technique and a deep commitment to quality.
Please join us in congratulating the winners of the 9th Annual Cidercraft Awards. Their dedication and vision continue to shape the future of cider, and we’re honored to celebrate their achievements.
To view the full list of winners click here
Contact:
Kristin Bacon, Publisher/CEO
Cidercraft & Sip Magazine
[email protected]
INSTAGRAM @cidercraftmag
FACEBOOK @cidercraftmag
