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.