The American Cider Association announced 2020 award recipients recognized for excellence in the industry at the recent CiderCon in Oakland, California.
The awards highlight individuals and businesses on a regional basis who help the cider category grow and can include cider makers, retailers, distributors and others. This was the first year the association’s enthusiast-level members were invited to participate in the nominations along with trade and industry members. “Our enthusiast members are out there drinking cider in their communities every day. They know who has the best cider list,” said the association’s board president, Paul Vander Heide.
2020 Cider Excellence Award Winners were;
General
Apple Advocate of the Year: John Bunker of Maine
Significant Contribution to the Cider Industry: Darlene Hayes of California
Pommelier of the Year: (2 Awards) Brian Rutzen, Ambrosia Borowski of Illinois
American Cider Association Member of the Year: Treehorn Cider, Atlanta, GA
Cider Journalism Excellence: “Cider, Wine’s Overlooked Category” by Alexander Peartree for Wine Enthusiast
East Coast
Best Cider Establishment: Brooklyn Cider House – Brooklyn, NY
Best On-Premise: Prohibition Taproom – Philadelphia, PA
Best Off-Premise: Boutique Wine, Spirits and Cider – Fishkill, NY
Best Distributor: Farrell Distributing – South Burlington & Rutland, VT
Midwest
Best Cider Establishment: The Northman – Chicago, IL
Best On-Premise: The Coin Slot – Traverse City, MI
Best Off-Premise: France 44 Wines & Spirits – Minneapolis, MN
Best Distributor: Imperial Beverage – Kalamazoo, MI
Mountain West
Best Cider Establishment: Acreage by Stem Ciders – Lafayette, CO
Best On-Premise: Arcana – Boulder, CO
Best Off-Premise: Wyatt’s Wet Goods – Longmont, CO
Best Distributor: Culture Beverage – Westminster, CO
Pacific Coast
Best Cider Establishment: Redfield Cider Bar & Bottle Shop – Oakland, CA
Best On-Premise: Button Mash – Los Angeles, CA
Best Off-Premise: Bottle Barn – Santa Rosa, CA
Best Distributor: Lime Ventures – Concord, CA
Northwest
Best Cider Establishment: Finnriver Farm & Cidery – Chimacum, WA
Best On-Premise: The Dram Shop – Missoula, MT
Best Off-Premise: John’s Marketplace – Portland, OR
Best Distributor: Maletis Beverage – Portland, OR & Vancouver, WA
South
Best Cider Establishment: ANXO Cidery – Washington, DC
Best On-Premise: The Durham Hotel – Durham, NC
Best Off-Premise: Appalachian Vintner – Asheville, NC
Best Distributor: Specialty Beverage of Virginia – Richmond, VA