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