Award Criteria and Judging
Awards Philosophy
The World Beer Cup and World Cider Cup recognize excellence in more than 100 beer categories and 8 cider categories, but they do not automatically award the top three entries in a category. When judges determine that a category contains three excellent examples of the style, they present gold, silver, and bronze awards to the first-, second-, and third-place beverages, respectively.
Judges may choose not to designate any awards in a category if all beverages entered in that category are significantly out of style or have major defects. The Competition Director will cancel judging in any one category if fewer than three entries are received.
Also, judges may grant an award in any one or more of the three award places without granting awards in all three places. For example, judges may recognize a beer or cider as a silver or bronze award winner, yet not grant a gold award.
Detailed Judge Feedback
Sure, awards are shiny—but what if the real prize is the feedback? When you enter the World Cider Cup, you’re not just chasing hardware—you’re tapping into a panel of the most skilled and educated beer and cider judges on the planet. Every entry receives detailed comments—on appearance, aroma, mouthfeel, taste and flavor, and technical quality—that brewers and cidermakers can use to fine-tune their products. Additionally, beginning in 2026, entrants who advance beyond the first round in the competition will receive additional panel-summary feedback for each subsequent round of judging the entry progresses through, highlighting how their beer and cider fared against other top contenders!
Champion Cidery Awards
The World Cider Cup Champion Cidery awards honor the top-performing cidery from each qualifying country, based on awards earned during that year’s World Cider Cup competition. By recognizing exceptional performance on a national level, the awards highlight the international presence of quality and diversity across the global cider community. Explore eligibility requirements here.
Final Table
New in 2027, the Final Table recognition honors the ciders that made it to the final judging table in the top five most-entered categories. While they may not have earned an award, the ciders in this group are still among the best in the world!
Judge Selection
The World Cider Cup competition director selects judges from a list of eligible Certified Pommeliers™. These individuals have been selected on the basis of: (1) Certified Pommelier™ Award of Sensory Distinction; (2) ongoing beer or cider sensory experience; (3) industry and peer recognition; (4) knowledge of beer or cider styles and the cidermaking process; and (5) judging demeanor.
Prospective judges must communicate fluently in written and spoken English.
Certified Pommeliers who wish to earn their Award of Sensory Distinction, or individuals who are interested in obtaining eligibility by earning their advanced certification, should contact ACA Director of Education jennie@ciderassociation.org.
Judge Procedures
World Cider Cup judging takes place just prior to the American Cider Association CiderCon™ and Brewers Association Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America®.
Judges are assigned by the competition director to judge beers or ciders in their specific area of expertise and do not judge in every category. Judges will seldom taste more than 30 beverages in any one judging session and judges never evaluate their own product or any product in which they have a concern (a consultant cannot judge the beer of a client). Judging is blind, with no brand knowledge of any kind provided to judges. Entries are judged solely on their merits.
Judges perform several important roles at the World Cider Cup. Judges determine winning entries that meet the stringent award criteria described above. They are also expected to provide concise, accurate written feedback to entering breweries and cideries about their entries, describing positive product attributes as well as defects noted during the competition. This indirect communication to entering breweries adds value to their World Cider Cup entries and provides a glimpse into the judging process.
