Archive for October 2025
Expanding Global Cider Education: ACA Partners with The Drinks Trust and Heineken to make the Certified Cider Guide™ Course More Accessible in the UK
The American Cider Association (ACA) is thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with The Drinks Trust and Heineken to make the Level 1 Certified Cider Guide™ (CCG) qualification more accessible to drinks professionals across the United Kingdom.
This collaboration marks an important step toward expanding access to professional cider education and supporting the next generation of cider advocates worldwide.
Bringing Accessible Cider Education to the UK
The Certified Cider Guide™ is the ACA’s internationally recognized Level 1 certification, designed to give participants a foundational understanding of cider production, styles, tasting, and service. The course has been integrated into The Drinks Trust’s DEVELOP training platform, a program that offers fully funded courses to individuals working or seeking work in the drinks and hospitality industries.
For eligible learners in the UK, this means the course is now available at no cost through the DEVELOP bursary program.
“Accessibility in education is essential for a thriving industry,” says Jennie Dorsey, Director of Education & Program Development for the American Cider Association. “Partnering with The Drinks Trust means more professionals can discover cider’s incredible diversity, expand their expertise, and join a growing international network of cider advocates.”
Flexible Learning for Busy Professionals
Delivered completely online and at your own pace, the Level 1 Certified Cider Guide™ course is designed to fit around real-world work schedules. Participants receive a comprehensive digital study guide, engaging on-demand video lessons, and access to the official ACA certification exam—all from the comfort of home.
The qualification helps participants:
- Build confidence in cider tasting and service
- Understand cider production methods, apple varieties, and fermentation styles
- Strengthen product knowledge and customer engagement skills
- Earn an internationally recognized certification that supports career growth across the drinks trade
A Shared Vision for Growth and Inclusion
As one of the world’s most historic cider regions, the UK has a deep connection to cider culture and craft. This partnership aims to elevate that heritage while ensuring access to professional education is open to everyone, regardless of background or circumstance.
The program is made possible through the generous support of Heineken, whose investment in the DEVELOP platform helps remove financial barriers to training and promote a more inclusive industry.
Join the Global Cider Learning Community
Through this collaboration, the ACA continues to expand the reach of the Certified Cider Professional™ program, which now serves learners in multiple countries and across all sectors of the beverage trade.
Interested in learning more or applying for the UK program?
👉 Visit The Drinks Trust’s course page to get started.
Together with The Drinks Trust and Heineken, we’re working to make cider education more accessible, more inclusive, and more inspiring, one sip at a time.
Cider Shows Up at Great American Beer Festival
For the second consecutive year, cider took the stage alongside beer at the 2025 Great American Beer Festival® (GABF) competition…and, once again, made a big impression. As the beverage world continues to evolve, cider is increasingly being recognized as a dynamic, creative and important contributor to the beverage alcohol category.
Included in the more than 8,000 entries that were judged, the Brewers Association doled out 18 awards to the 178 cider entries and named Don & Sharon Gowan of Gowan’s Heirloom Cider in Philo, CA the Cider Maker of the Year.
Category 201: Tannic Cider – 21 Entries
- Gold: 1876 Heirloom, Gowan’s Heirloom Cider, Philo, CA
- Silver: Classic Dry, Gowan’s Heirloom Cider, Philo, CA
- Bronze: Kingston Black, Snow Capped Cider, Austin, CO
Category 202: No/Low-Tannin Cider – 36 Entries
- Gold: 14th Anniversary, 2 Towns Ciderhouse, Corvallis, OR
- Silver: Original Gold, Portland Cider Co., Clackamas, OR
- Bronze: Local Legend, Schilling Cider, Auburn, WA
Category 203: Fruited Cider – 53 Entries
- Gold: Honey Citron, Gowan’s Heirloom Cider, Philo, CA
- Silver: Piper’s Pineapple, Gatlinburg Brewing Co., Sevierville, TN
- Bronze: Huckleberry Cosmic Crisp, 2 Towns Ciderhouse, Corvallis, OR
Category 204: Botanical or Spiced Cider – 25 Entries
- Gold: Spiced Apple, Gowan’s Heirloom Cider, Philo, CA
- Silver: Plum & Lemongrass, Snow Capped Cider, Austin, CO
- Bronze: Cranberry Spice, Six Byrd Cider, Tempe, AZ
Category 205: Experimental, Barrel-Aged or Specialty Cider – 27 Entries
- Gold: Calville Blanc d’Hiver Ice Cider, Haykin Family Cider, Aurora, CO
- Silver: Apollo Palmer, Papa Moon Ciders, Scottsbluff, NE
- Bronze: Santiam Cherry Apples in Garryana Oak, Haykin Family Cider, Aurora, CO
Category 206: Single Varietal Cider – 16 Entries
- Gold: Mountain Rose, Haykin Family Cider, Aurora, CO
- Silver: Gravenstien, Snow Capped Cider, Austin, CO
- Bronze: Niedzwetzkyana, Haykin Family Cider, Aurora, CO
Cider Maker of the Year: Gowan’s Heirloom Cider, Philo, CA
C-Store Cider Sales Thrive This Year
Each month consumer insights platform Sightlines will share one quick hit you can use to make confident decisions. Also, ACA members get 50% off a Sightlines subscription. Find the discount code in the Resource Hub.
While alcohol has generally been in the red in most retail channels this year, cider sales in convenience stores offer a rare bright spot. Both dollar sales (+4.8%) and volume (+3.4%) are well above the negative trend lines for craft, seltzers, domestics, and even imports in Circana-tracked c-store data.
What explains the boom? Cider has finally arrived at the imperial party. In January, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) approved new standards of fill for higher-ABV cider that included 16 oz. and 19.2 oz cans. Prior to that update, those can sizes were only an option for cider under 7% ABV, excluding higher-strength cider from the single-serve can sizes that have proven so successful for imperial IPAs and high-gravity FMBs. At the time of the announcement, Jeff Parrish, co-owner of Oregon’s Portland Cider Company, called the move “a game changer,” and year-to-date sales confirm it.
But imperial cider in 19.2 oz. cans isn’t the only story line. Convenience stores’ craft beer SKU rationalization over the past year has also opened up space for higher-margin cider. And finally, cider enjoys crossover appeal with the popular RTD cocktail category—yet it may be available in c-stores where distilled spirits aren’t legally allowed. All of this presents a long runway for cider, which has yet to post numbers for October (National Cider Month), November (Thanksgiving), and December (Christmas and New Year’s Eve). We’d expect it to take an even bigger bite of the c-store apple in those final 2025 months.
Introducing the Certified Cider Guide™ Digital Flashcards
The American Cider Association is excited to share a brand-new study tool for anyone preparing for the Level 1 Certified Cider Guide™ exam! The Certified Cider Guide™ Digital Flashcards are now available for free, offering an easy and engaging way to test your knowledge wherever you are. Designed to help you master key terms, cider styles, and production concepts, these cards are the perfect resource for students, professionals, and cider enthusiasts alike.
Prefer something you can hold in your hands? A physical deck of the Certified Cider Guide™ Flashcards will be available for purchase at CiderCon® 2026, so you can keep learning and sharing your cider knowledge offline too.
Get started today, explore the digital deck, and take the next step in your cider education journey.
*Note: By downloading these flashcards, you agree to comply with all copyright laws protecting the Certified Cider Professional™ program materials. Unauthorized sharing, reproduction, or distribution is strictly prohibited.
American Cider Association Welcomes New Canadian Licensed Educator
The American Cider Association (ACA) is proud to announce that Jenna Boucher has joined its growing network of Licensed Educators, bringing her award-winning expertise and Canadian perspective to the Certified Cider Professional™ (CCP) program.
Jenna is an accomplished cidermaker, judge, and educator with deep roots in Canada’s diverse cider scene. A Certified Pommelier™ and GLINTCAP award-winner, Jenna has honed her craft in cideries from coast to coast, including orchard-based, urban, and coastal operations. Known for her creativity and passion, she shares her love for cider and craft beverages through her Instagram, @bouche_bag, where she highlights both her own creations and the wider cider community.
A true cider nerd at heart, Jenna can be found experimenting with barrel aging, developing innovative blends, and leading taproom tastings in her signature overalls. Beyond production, she serves as a judge at respected competitions including GLINTCAP and the Canadian Beer Cup, and she contributes her expertise through committee work with both the ACA and the Canadian Cider Association (CCA).
“Jenna brings both knowledge and approachability to cider education,” said Jennie Dorsey, Director of Education and Program Development of the American Cider Association. “Her Canadian perspective and hands-on experience will be a huge asset as we continue expanding access to cider education.”
As a Licensed Educator, Jenna will lead Certified Cider Guide™ workshops and educational events designed to make cider learning inclusive, approachable, and full of flavor. Her role supports the ACA’s mission to advance the understanding and appreciation of cider among hospitality professionals, retailers, and consumers.
“I’m thrilled to represent Canada in this next step of cider education,” said Jenna. “Cider is such a vibrant, diverse beverage, and I’m excited to help people feel connected to it, whether they’re pouring it behind the bar, learning about food pairings, or simply enjoying it on a hike with a view.”
The ACA is excited to welcome Jenna to its Licensed Educator team and looks forward to supporting her work in building cider knowledge across Canada and beyond.
About the American Cider Association
The American Cider Association (ACA) is a non-profit trade organization that supports cider producers and advocates for the cider industry in the United States and internationally. Through education, legislation, and community-building, the ACA works to grow a diverse, vibrant, and thriving cider category.
The 2025 Government Shutdown: What it Means for You
Because Congress has not yet passed a continuing resolution to fund the government, a federal shutdown is now in effect beginning October 1, 2025. For cideries, the most immediate impact comes from the significant reduction of 87% of staff at the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). The TTB will continue only essential functions. These include processing tax returns with payments, handling urgent legal matters, securing federal property, managing essential payroll and accounting, and continuing criminal enforcement. Most other services—such as label approvals, formula reviews, and permitting—are paused until funding is restored. In addition, the Small Business Administration (SBA) is also functioning at 23% of its workforce, focusing on existing loans and Emergency Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs).
Here’s what you need to know from the TTB:
- Label approvals are on hold. TTB will not review new Certificates of Label Approval (COLAs) during the shutdown. You can still submit applications, but they won’t be processed until funding resumes. Expect delays once staff return and begin working through the backlog.
- Formulas and permits are paused. If you need approval for a new formula, an ownership change, or a new location, those requests will sit in the queue as well. This can be especially disruptive for small and mid-sized cideries—the majority of U.S. producers—that often run on tight timelines and seasonal releases.
- Taxes and reports are still due. Even though most TTB staff are furloughed, cideries are still required to file operational reports and pay federal excise taxes on time. There may not be anyone available to answer questions until the government reopens, so it’s best to plan ahead.
- Expect a backlog. Once the shutdown ends, TTB will face a surge of pending applications. This could stretch timelines for weeks or months, especially for labels and formulas.
What you can do:
- Keep filing everything on time, even during the shutdown.
- Submit any pending labels or formulas now, so they’re in the system.
- Build extra time into your release schedules in case of delays.
- Communicate with distributors and partners about possible timing impacts.
Here’s what you need to know from the SBA:
- The SBA has halted processing new 7(a) and 504 loans, which are crucial for financing equipment, expansion, and working capital. This suspension affects all new loan applications, even those from lenders with delegated authority.
- While new loan processing is paused, the SBA continues to service existing loans. However, borrowers should expect longer processing times and slower assistance due to reduced staffing.
What you can do:
- Cideries relying on SBA loans for expansion, equipment upgrades, or working capital may face delays in accessing necessary funds
ACA will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions—we’re here to help you navigate these disruptions. Contact ACA Government Affairs Manager Jenn Martell with questions.