Historic Win for 2 Towns Ciderhouse – GABF's First-ever Cidermaker of the Year!

Corvallis, Ore – October 15, 2024 – 2 Towns Ciderhouse is honored to be the first cidery to be named Cidermaker of the Year at the 2024 Great American Beer Festival (GABF), the nation's largest professional beer competition. This year marks a historic first as the GABF expands its competition to include cider categories alongside craft beer for the first time ever, highlighting cider's growing influence and significance in the craft beverage industry. In addition to Cidermaker of the Year, 2 Towns took home (4) medals, tying for the most medals received of any brewery or cidery. 

GABF, now in its 38th year, is held annually in Denver, Colorado, and has become an iconic event for the craft beverage industry. Judging spanned seven days and three phases and included 233 cider entries and 8,836 beer submissions from all 50 states. Of the 15 medals awarded to cideries, five were from the Pacific Northwest, and four were awarded to 2 Towns Ciderhouse, the only cidery to claim 4 awards in the cider category — in addition to being named Cidermaker of the Year.

Cidermaker of the Year 2 Towns Ciderhouse

"We are truly honored to be recognized as Cidermaker of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival," said Lee Larsen, co-founder and CEO of 2 Towns Ciderhouse. "This award not only celebrates our passion for cider making but also showcases cider's expanding role in the craft beverage scene. It's a remarkable moment for our team and for cidermakers everywhere."

Medal Wins:

• 2022 Cidre Bouché: Bronze in Tannic Cider
• 10th Anniversary: Bronze in No/Low-Tannin Cider 
• Pacific Pineapple: Bronze in Fruited or Botanical Cider
• 2019 Pommeau: Silver in Experimental or Barrel-Aged Cider 

This news comes off the heels of another significant milestone: 2 Towns Ciderhouse ranked as Oregon's #1 craft beverage brand, surpassing both craft beer and cider competitors in the state. According to IRI data for the four weeks ending September 22, 2024, 2 Towns Ciderhouse leads the combined craft beer and cider categories by dollar sales to grocery stores, making Oregon the first known state where cider tops the craft beverage charts.

"This is cider's moment," said Larsen. "We're proud to lead the charge in a movement that's shaking up the craft beverage world. Our focus on innovative, fresh-pressed ciders made from locally sourced fruit continues to resonate with consumers, and we're just getting started!"