Oh Cider! Canada now has a “Best in Show” cider, thanks to the Canada Beer Cup

Pomona, a hyslop single varietal Ice Cider made by Sea Cider in Saanichton, BC, now has the honour of being called Canada’s best cider, all thanks to the organizers and judges of the Canada Beer Cup.

This is the second year the Canada Beer Cup has opened its doors to cider, and the first year it has awarded a “Best in Show” for cider. The competition had 6 cider categories and awarded a gold, silver, and bronze across each category. The competition saw just under 100 cider entries from 32 different cideries and breweries across Canada. (See all categories and winners below). Of the 32 cideries and breweries that entered, 11 took home hardware at the Gala held in Calgary on October 8th, 2026. Overall, it was a fantastic and diverse second showing of cider producers across Canada.

“It feels amazing to have Pomona named as the first-ever Best in Show cider at the Canada Beer Cup. I am very proud of the whole Sea Cider team and how hard we have worked towards this accomplishment. I am especially pleased that an ice cider has earned the recognition it deserves in a national competition. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the Canadian cider industry!” said Molly Crandles, Senior Cider Maker at Sea Cider. 

Sea Cider took home Best in Show Gold, plus silver for their Ginger Perry. Bronze went to the fine folks at Wooden Gate Cider for their “Three Spirits,” a triple-barrel-aged cider crafted using rum, rye, and bourbon barrels.

While this was only the second year cider has been included in the competition categories, the Canada Beer Cup is ready and willing to keep uplifting Canadian cider. 

"Canada Beer Cup is proud to elevate Cider on the national stage. 2026 brought about our first-ever cider best-in-show, and we were thrilled to award top cider from across the country at our awards gala in Calgary," said Hilary Hoogsteen, Competition Director. "We're seeing many breweries producing both beer and cider, as well as beer-lovers discovering the wonderful world of cider!" she also added. 

The Cup has welcomed cider (and cider education) with open arms, and it shows as they brought on 2 Certified Pommeliers to judge this year, as well as hosted a “Taste like a Pro Workshop” for the curious BJCP beer judges who wanted to learn more about cider, including how to taste and evaluate it. They hope to bring on more Certified Pommeliers next year and would love to host a Certified Pommelier™ exam at next year's competition, which will be held at Picaroons Brewing Company in Fredericton, New Brunswick. 

Congratulations to all the producers, and thank you for supporting the growth of Canadian Cider!

See below for the full list of Winners:

Cider “Best in Show”

Gold: Pomona - Iced & Fortified Cider - Sea Cider  (Saanichton, BC)

Silver: Ginger Perry - Spiced & Specialty Cider - Sea Cider (Saanichton, BC)

Bronze: Three Spirits - Barrel Aged or Specialty - Wooden Gate Cider (Pilot Mound, MB)

Heritage Cider 

Gold: Traditional Dry (2024) - Slaughterhouse Craft Cider (Prince George, BC)

Silver: Pippins - Sea Cider (Saanichton, BC)

Bronze: Double Hill Symphony - Double Hill Cidery (Caledonia, PEI)

Modern Cider

Gold: Lonetree Authentic Dry - Lonetree Cider (Kamloops, BC)

Silver: Hidden Rose - Wooden Gate Cider (Pilot Mound, MB)

Bronze: Thornbury Premium Apple Cider - Thornbury Craft Co (Thornbury, ON)

Fruited Cider and Perry

Gold: Wild Blueberry Elderflower - Thornbury Craft Co (Thornbury, ON)

Silver: Purple Rain - Atmosphere Cider (Vancouver, BC)

Bronze: Union - Wooden Gate Cider (Pilot Mound, MB)

Spiced & Specialty Cider

Gold: Ginger Perry - Sea Cider (Saanichton, BC)

Silver: Wards Orchard Rosé Cider - Wards Cider (Kelowna, BC)

Bronze: So Pitted Crab Apricot Cider - Spot On Cider (Broderick, SK)

Ice & Fortified Cider

Gold: Pomona - Sea Cider (Saanichton, BC)

Silver: Ice Cider (2023) - Slaughterhouse Craft (Prince George, BC)

Bronze: Prairie Frost Ice Cider - Crossmount Cider Company (Crossmount, SK)

Barrel-Aged or Specialty

Gold: Three Spirits - Wooden Gate Cider (Pilot Mound, MB)

Silver: Tide & Wine Rosé Cider - East Coast Cider Company (Annapolis Royal, NC)

Bronze: High Falutin Oak & Vanilla - Spot On Cider (Broderick, SK)