The Fruit Growers News

“Good fruit makes good juice,” according to the winner of the first ever contest to find the best cider in North America.

Mike and Dede Beck from Uncle John’s Cider Mill in St. Johns, Mich. came away with bragging rights for the continent after they won the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association’s (NAFDMA) Cider Contest. The event was held at NAFDMA’s annual conference held in early February in Charlotte, N.C.

The Beck’s entry was one of 19 ciders rated by seven judges in blind taste tests, according to Bob Tritten, Michigan State University Extension agent. Tritten coordinated the contest with Chris Doll, retired Extension agent from Illinois and Kelly Ferstenberg, representing NAFDMA.

Five states were represented in the top six winners, including cider from Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois and North Carolina.

Mike’s cider has also won second and third place honors in past cider contests in Michigan. His winning blend at NAFDMA included more of the Jonathan variety than anything else, he said. He also used Winesap, McIntosh, Gala and Idared.

The judges rated the ciders on appearance/color, aroma and bouquet, acidity, sweetness, sugar/acid ratio, body, flavor, odd/off flavors and overall qualities. After the judges narrowed the ciders to the top six, 25 NAFDMA members rated the ciders to select the winners.

Other winners include:
Second place: Bill Michaels of Fly Creek Cider Mill in New York.

Third place: Scott Brown of Earl Brown’s Orchard & Farm Market in Loganville, Pa.

Honorable mentions: Richard and Marilyn Tanner of Tanners Orchard in Speer, Ill.; Craig Boyko of Eagle Mills Cider Company and Family Fun Center in Broadalbin, N.Y.; and Harley Prewitt Jr. of Apple Hill Orchard & Cider Mill in Morganton, N.C.