Winners of the Northwest Cider Cup 2026 Announced

The winners of the 2026 Northwest Cider Cup have been announced, recognizing some of the region’s top ciders and perries. This year’s competition honored producers across multiple categories and highlighted the continued growth of the Northwest cider industry. The latest results also reflect emerging trends and standout performances from both established and new cideries.

In 2026, 236 entries were evaluated with only about 25% of entries receiving a medal, according to a press release from the Northwest Cider Association.

Winners were announced at a lively awards party in Portland on June 25th with cidermakers, industry professionals and cider lovers raising a glass to the NW cider community.

The Cup recognizes the best ciders and perries produced in the largest apple-growing region in North America and offers a snapshot of where cider is headed next. Alongside top medals, this year’s results point to clear momentum in low ABV and alcohol removed ciders, growing interest in single varietal expressions, and continued entry of new cideries across the region. Highly competitive by design, the Northwest Cider Cup awards only one gold per category and does not require judges to award all available medals.

Top Winners in 2026

• Best of Show: 2 Towns Ciderhouse (OR) —15th Anniversary (Low-Tannin Ciders Dry)
• Best of Show Runner Up: Heartland Ciderworks — The Little Rose(Specialty Low Alcohol/Alcohol Removed)
• New Cidery of the Year: Abandoned Orchards (WA)
• Small Cidery of the Year: RAW Cider Co. (OR)
• Medium Cidery of the Year: Bauman’s Cider Company (OR)
• Large Cidery of the Year: 2 Towns Ciderhouse (OR)
• Good Apple Award– Presented to Ashley Lindsay, Pleasant Valley Cider Apples New this year, the Good Apple Award recognizes a champion for the industry, a central figure in our community, and someone who consistently goes out of their way to make things happen for the benefit of Northwest cider.

Explore the full list of winners in the 2026 Winners Guide 

Accepting commercial entries from Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, and British Columbia, the range of ciders and perries competing this year reflects the depth and diversity of PacificNorthwest cider culture. Each entry is evaluated by trained industry professionals on appearance, aroma, flavor, and mouthfeel — with gold, silver, and bronze medals awarded to the best in every category.

By the numbers

236 entries submitted, only 25% of ciders entered won
60 medals were awarded in 19 categories to 51 cideries
Winners: 25 from Washington, 31 from Oregon, and 4 from British Columbia

The 236 entries reflect what cidermakers across the region are seeing in consumer demand — a real-time snapshot of what will be in glasses across the Northwest. This year’s trends include:

• Low-alcohol ciders continue to rise. The Low Alcohol and Alcohol Removed category
  (4.5% ABV and below) keeps growing — and this is the first year two low-ABV ciders
  won medals outside of the Specialty Low Alcohol/Alcohol Removed Category.
• New cideries are entering the market. Nine new cideries competed this year, all having
  opened throughout the Northwest since April 2025. That growth mirrors cider’s broader
  momentum across the craft beverage industry: According to a study done by market
  research firm Circana, cider is growing more than eight times faster than beer in the
  Pacific Northwest. That same study found that Oregon, Washington, and Idaho account
  for 24.8% of all U.S. cider sales, while these three states represent just 4.2% of the U.S.
  population.
• Beyond fruit-forward: emerging styles are making their mark. While ciders with fruit
  additions remain a leading category by volume, standout trends are emerging in what
  rises to the top:
  • Red-fleshed apples had a spotlight moment this year. Their naturally striking color
    produces a red hue without any added fruit flavors.
  • Single Varietal ciders surged, with 30% more entries than in previous years. Much
    like wine drinkers seeking out specific grape varieties, cider drinkers are
    gravitating toward individual apple varieties — Kingston Black, Golden Russet,
    and others gaining real momentum.
  • Low-Tannin Ciders claimed the top prize for the first time. Dry and approachable,
    these ciders are made with everyday eating apples rather than cider-specific
    varieties — the most common non-fruited style, and now, finally, a Cider Cup
    winner.

About Northwest Cider Association

For more than 15 years, the Northwest Cider Association (NWCA) has brought cideries
and cider lovers together to learn, experience and enjoy the Northwest cider culture.
Representing more than 300 cider professionals throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho,
Montana and British Columbia, the group is dedicated to supporting, promoting and
growing its thriving industry. For more information, visit NWCider.com and follow @nwcider on social media.