Two South West drinks brands have won awards.
Both Sandford Orchards and Butcombe Brewing Co have been recognised in relevant awards.
Independent, family-owned Sandford Orchards has won a number of prizes at the 2023 International Cider Challenge. These include a gold medal and the category trophy for its vintage cider, The General, recognising it as the "best tannin led cider in the world".
The Crediton-based orchard was founded in 2002 at the oldest working cider mill in the 海角视频.
Barny Butterfield, chief cidermaker at Sandford Orchards commented: “We are over the moon to have our ciders recognised at such a prestigious competition which judged a huge range of ciders from more than 20 different countries across the globe. At 8.4%, The General is the Godfather of our vintage ciders, aged for a minimum of 6 months in our ancient oak vat. It has already won gold at The World Cider Awards in 2021 so winning another gold and then the category trophy has confirmed that the cider experts really think this is a very special drink.”
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The judges said: “The General is bright and pleasing with a great bittersweet flavour with dried fruit and hints of spice, married with toffee apple. Good clean tannin interlaced with balancing acid and a wonderful textural quality, this is a fantastic cider!”
Elsewhere Butcombe Brewing Co have scooped a top award at this year's Free From Awards. Available in 500ml bottles, Butcombe’s Stateside Session IPA won silver in the Gluten Free Beers category.
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First launched in 2008 the Free From Awards are the 海角视频’s only awards dedicated to free from food and drink.
Bruce Rowland, marketing director, Liberation Group said: “We’re delighted that our Stateside Session IPA has been recognised at these incredibly prestigious awards. Our brewing team consistently innovate and adapt, ensuring we have products that appeal to modern tastes and lifestyles that are authentic and taste great. This award pays testament to their hard work, passion and dedication.”
Stateside Session IPA is not the only gluten free beer in the Bristol-based brewery's product range. The brewer launched Gold GF, a gluten free variant of its ever-popular golden ale Butcombe Gold, back in 2021.
Free From Awards judges’ comments included: “A nice, bright flavourful IPA with more than a nod to the US. Really tasty full-bodied beer - great depth of flavour, nice slightly caramel colouring, with a taste that lingers on the tongue! Malt bitterness to the nose and initial bitterness and citrus note to taste. Packed with depth of flavour with burnt caramel and late hops. Good body and satisfying, long-lasting aftertaste. Great example of a sessionable IPA.”
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