The Thornbury Craft Co. Cider & Brew House has become the first Canadian cider maker to be crowned Grand National Champion at the 2024 U.S. Open Cider Championships, winning four gold medals. The awards were presented on December 13.
“I’m very proud of the Thornbury team that made this win a reality. Ontario is a cider destination and we’re being recognized for this internationally. It is wonderful that Thornbury is leading the way and bringing attention to the potential this industry has for Ontario and Canada,” noted Thornbury Craft Co.’s Master Cider Maker James McIntosh.
The company started making cider in 2007 under the moniker Peelers Cider. In 2012 the company was purchased by Provincial Beverages Canada, and later it was purchased by current owners Colio Estate Wines. Today Thornbury Craft Co. includes Blue Mountain Brewing Company, formerly King Brewery.
In addition to the four gold medals (Modern Cider Dry, Rose/Brut, Raspberry, and Blueberry), the cider maker also won a bronze medal in the Traditional Cider category. McIntosh also won a gold medal himself in the Heritage Cider Dry category, for his Duxbury Heritage 1650 Dry Cider. McIntosh originally manufactured Duxbury ciders on his farm in Meaford, and it is now produced by Thornbury Craft Co.
This year was the 10th anniversary of the U.S. Open Cider Championship, which began in 2015 as an offshoot of the U.S. Open Beer Championships, which began in 2009.
In the first year, there were eight categories, while this year there were 33 categories ranging from Heritage Cider to Pie/Cobbler Cider. Today, the U.S. Open Cider Championship is one of the largest cider competitions in the world.
Thornbury Craft Co. produces more than 20 varieties of hard cider and apple-based seltzers, including its award-winning and flagship Premium Cider, and internationally recognized Best in Class ciders such as Wild Blueberry Elderflower and Wild Strawberry Lemonade.
“We have the best people in the industry making the best products out there, in the best cider making province!” said Production Manager Curtis Appleton.
Based on the results of this year’s competition, the top 10 cideries in North America, as listed on the U.S. Open Cider Championship’s website are as follows:
Top 10 Cideries
1. Thornbury Craft Co. – Ontario
2. Arsenal Cider House – Pennsylvania
3. Glacial Till – Nebraska
4. 2 Towns Ciderhouse – Oregon
5. Sapsucker Farms Yellow Belly Cidery – Minnesota
6. Blakes Hard Cider – Michigan
7. Cider Corps – Arizona
8. Ciderboys Cider Co. – Wisconsin
9. Vala’s Orchard Cider Co – Nebraska
10. FX Matt Brewing Co. – New York
The full results from this year’s competition can be found by visiting: https://usopencider.com/2024_us_open_ciders_medals/
