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description=The U.S. Open Cider Championship is one of the largest cider international competitions in the United States and the world.;

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the u s open cider championship skip to main content hit enter to search or esc to close close search u s open championships search menu championships u s open beer championship u s open cider championship u s open whiskey spirits championship 2026 u s open hard seltzer championship u s open charities the story contact us x twitter facebook instagram search u s open cider championship general info register now categories shipping rules medal winners artwork u s open charities the story the barn discovering the u s open cider championship a premier cider competition celebrating craft excellence the u s open cider championship is one of the most prestigious cider competitions in the world attracting entries from cidermakers worldwide this annual event showcases the artistry and innovation in craft cider production featuring blind judging across diverse categories including modern dry ciders heritage styles fruit infused varieties perry and experimental anything goes entries whether you re a cider enthusiast a home cidermaker or a professional producer the u s open cider championship offers insights into the evolving cider industry and crowns top talents with coveted medals and the grand national champion title the history and founders of the u s open cider championship the u s open cider championship was launched in 2015 as a natural spin off from the established u s open beer championship which began in 2009 held annually in oxford ohio the cider event quickly grew into the second largest cider competition globally attracting hundreds of submissions from regions as varied as hawaii iceland australia spain and beyond its inception tapped into the rising popularity of craft cider in the u s mirroring the craft beer boom and providing a dedicated platform for cidermakers to showcase their work the championship was founded by dow scoggins a former brewer and industry veteran who previously owned and operated georgia s first microbrewery friends brewing from 1988 to 1998 scoggins an international beer judge and master brewer created the u s open beer championship to foster camaraderie and excellence in brewing in 2015 at the suggestion of jon downing judging director for the u s open championships and professor of brewing operations at niagara college s teaching brewery and winery in ontario canada the event expanded to include dedicated cider categories downing who helped establish niagara college s brewing and cidermaking programs and has extensive experience as a brewmaster and international judge played a key role in co founding the cider competition by advocating for its addition and contributing to its judging framework this partnership brought strong canadian expertise with niagara college frequently providing judges hosting shipments for canadian entries and even competing successfully with their teaching winery ciders the competition s location in oxford ohio a small college town adds a unique charm with final judging sometimes held at local venues or the u s open event center over the years it has introduced special honors like the thumper award named in memory of andy thumper rich the pioneering cidermaker from arsenal cider house who passed away in 2023 after winning the 2020 grand national title how the u s open cider championship works at its core the u s open cider championship is a blind tasting event where judges evaluate entries without knowing the brands or producers categories span traditional and modern styles including sweet and dry modern ciders heritage ciders spiced wood aged hopped and specialty options international flair is evident with entries from craft cider houses wineries and breweries worldwide medals are awarded in gold silver and bronze and the grand national champion is determined by the cidery with the highest overall medal tally this points based system rewards consistency across multiple entries often leading to exciting ties or repeat winners the event not only celebrates winners but also contributes to the craft cider renaissance helping smaller producers gain recognition and market traction highlighting the grand national champions from first to last since its debut the u s open cider championship has crowned a diverse array of grand national champions reflecting the industry s growth and regional talents here s a year by year overview of these top honorees 2015 2 towns ciderhouse corvallis oregon as the inaugural winner 2 towns set the bar high with their innovative pacific northwest inspired ciders 2016 angry orchard walden new york known for their accessible yet complex offerings they secured the title with strong showings in multiple categories 2017 ciderboys cider co stevens point wisconsin their fruit forward hard ciders earned them the first of two championships 2018 woodchuck cidery middlebury vermont a veteran in the cider scene woodchuck s consistent quality led to victory 2019 glacial till vineyard winery palmyra nebraska they dominated with gold medals in original passion pineapple and hibiscus ginger ciders 2020 arsenal cider house wine cellar pittsburgh pennsylvania led by the late andy thumper rich this win highlighted heritage and modern styles 2021 blake s hard cider armada michigan and broski ciderworks pompano beach florida a historic tie marking the first co champions in the event s history 2022 ciderboys cider co stevens point wisconsin becoming the first two time winner with three golds and a bronze 2023 woodchuck cider middlebury vermont earning their second title and underscoring vermont s cider prowess 2024 thornbury craft co cider brew house thornbury ontario canada an international standout showcasing canadian cider excellence 2025 arsenal cider house wine cellar pittsburgh pennsylvania their second win with three golds in modern heritage and perry categories the first grand national champion 2 towns ciderhouse in 2015 symbolized the competition s fresh start and the rise of west coast cider innovation in a poignant full circle moment they also won the inaugural thumper award for best in show in 2024 with their 10th anniversary cider the most recent champion arsenal cider house in 2025 continues to honor thumper s legacy while pushing boundaries in perry and heritage ciders why the u s open cider championship matters today in an era where craft beverages are booming the u s open cider championship plays a vital role in elevating cider s profile it bridges traditional apple based methods with modern experimentation fostering a global community of cidermakers for those interested in entering registration typically opens in summer with judging in the fall results are eagerly awaited by industry insiders and consumers alike often influencing market trends and cider availability 2026 u s open championships close menu championships u s open beer championship u s open cider championship u s open whiskey spirits championship 2026 u s open hard seltzer championship u s open charities the story contact us x 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