A Drop in the Beer Bucket — A Cider Judge's Experience at GABF

I recently had the pleasure of judging cider entries for the Great American Beer Festival (GABF), held annually in Denver, Colorado. The judging itself took place at The Westin Westminster, just outside of Denver. Colorado is beautiful, and Westminster in particular has wide-open landscapes. In the distance, the Rocky Mountain peaks seem to beckon.

I was one of just 10 cider judges among more than 200 judges, most of whom were judging beer. While GABF has traditionally been a beer competition, the inclusion of cider has been a great opportunity for our industry. It puts cider alongside other craft beverages and introduces it to a much broader community that appreciates quality and craftsmanship.

As both a cidery owner and a Certified Pommelier™, I appreciate the importance of having people with cider-specific knowledge involved in judging these competitions. Cider has its own traditions, production methods, and characteristics that distinguish it from beer and wine. Judges with a strong understanding of cider bring that perspective to the evaluation process. I'd encourage cidermakers to consider entering future GABF competitions as well. It's reassuring to know that the ciders are being evaluated by knowledgeable judges who understand the beverage and appreciate the work that goes into making it.

The range of ciders I had the opportunity to judge was impressive, from fruited ciders to high- and low-tannin styles, botanicals, specialty ciders, and more. Some absolutely knocked my socks off, at least from a subjective standpoint! But setting personal preferences aside and evaluating each cider on its own merits, I was struck by the care and consideration that went into making them. Of course, some ciders stood out more than others, but I found something to appreciate in every one of them.

Cider may still be just a drop in the beer bucket at GABF, but judging by the welcome we received, it's a drop that's genuinely appreciated. With so many experienced judges gathered in one place, you might expect at least a little pretentiousness, but I didn't encounter any. Everyone was approachable, eager to share their knowledge, and genuinely supportive of one another. It was my favorite part of the experience by far! I really enjoyed participating and would encourage others who share a passion for cider to consider future judging opportunities. I would definitely do it again if invited!