Portland International Cider Cup Awards

Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s Portland International Cider Cup! It was great seeing everyone at Swift Cider for the award party. Awards were given to 45 different ciders, from Traditional Perry to Heirloom Sweet.

Not only is PICC a great place to showcase your skills and stretch your limits as a cidermaker, but it also offers a clear look into what’s been ‘brewing’ in the cider industry this past year.

“Makers rely on this event for critical peer review, not to mention bar, restaurant and retail buyers who use these results for curating their cider selections.” – Emily Ritchie, Executive Director of Northwest Cider Association.

This is a premier competition, known for being one of the most innovative cider regions in the country, members of the Northwest Cider Association are continuously pushing boundaries and paving the future of northwest cider.

Robert Beezer, our Quality Manager, and Jenny Logsdon, Owner & Founder, had a great time hearing from judges and competitors while representing Wyeast Laboratories as this year’s Presenting Sponsor. Participating in events such as PICC allows us to meet with key players in the industry to hear their ideas for what the future of cider making looks like.

From gauging what styles are growing in popularity to the choice of modern or traditional techniques, there was a lot to unpack from this event. Check out Northwest Cider Association’s EVENT RECAP and winner announcement when looking for inspiration from some of the best Northwest cidermakers in the region.

Looking to up your game?

STRAIN: 4766 is crisp and dry fermenting with a big fruity finish. Creating a nice balance for all types of apples, pears, and other fruit, allowing fruit character to dominate the profile. Having a strong and consistent base cider to work with is a surefire way to perfect that NW Cider recipe you’ve been dying to test.

Happy Cidermaking!