More than a decade of dedication towards promoting pure Australian cider will be celebrated with the launch of Australian Cider Day on March 14.

Hundreds of incredible ciders made across the country from 100 per cent Australian-grown fruit will be highlighted in a bid to further boost understanding about product origin.

The new annual event comes soon after Cider Australia rolled out its ‘100% Australian Grown trust mark’, helping drinkers understand where the fruit in their cider comes from.

Cider Australia President Sam Reid said the combination of a National Day and the new trust mark would further advance local product recognition in a market still saturated by cheap foreign imports.

“Over the last decade there has been huge growth in Australian cider production but unfortunately less than 10 per cent of cider consumed in Australia is made from Australian grown fruit,” Mr Reid said.

“That’s really disappointing for local producers who are working extremely hard to promote the benefits of supporting locally grown fruit and locally made cider.

“As an industry we’ve been lobbying the government for years to change the labelling laws so people know where the apples in their cider come from. Wine producers must be honest about regionality, but unfortunately we have had no success for cider at this stage”, said Mr Reid.

“As a committed collective, Australian cider producers are taking action into their own hands and are rolling out the new trust mark on their products. The mark is now on a significant amount of packaging so we think it’s time to make it mean something for drinkers across Australia.”

Enter Australian Cider Day on March 14. It will promote and generate publicity about the 100% Australian Grown trust mark and also educate drinkers about quality Australian cider.

Plus it will be plenty of fun!

Cider producers will mark this day by organising cider events, tastings and other fun festivities to generate discussion about 100% Australian Grown cider.

Cider Australia will publish a list of Australian Cider Day events on its website and promote use of the social media hashtag #drinkaustraliancider to ensure the country’s cider cheer is spread far and wide.

For more details visit www.cideraustralia.org.au/australianciderday

 

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MEDIA ENQUIRIES

For more details please contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on
0434 559 759 or office@cideraustralia.org.au.

About Cider Australia 

Cider Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded by cider businesses and sponsors, established in 2012. It aims to build a sustainable cider category by undertaking activities that improve the quality of ciders produced and marketed in Australia. The organisation represents the interests of the cider industry to policy makers, calling for regulations and policies that support a diverse and evolving cider industry, and runs the national cider conference (AusCider) and the Australian Cider Awards.

Australia’s largest craft cider festival returns to Sydney next month mixing fun, frivolity, education and an amazing selection of local and internationally crafted ciders.

The sixth Australian Cider Festival will be held at the Mercure Sydney at the top of George Street, Chippendale from 12-6pm on Saturday 6th October.

Cider Australia President Sam Reid said festival attendees are in for a treat with 20+ craft cider producers to exhibit alongside a feast of tempting food and live entertainment.

“Festival goers will be able to sample and meet the makers of the best ciders available in Australia while relaxing on the Mercure’s sunny outdoor terrace – worlds apart from the hustle and bustle of Railway Square below”, Mr Reid said.

“Many of the ciders that producers will show at the festival can only be tasted when visiting cellar doors, so this is a great opportunity to try some weird and wonderful ciders you might not otherwise see”, said Mr Reid.

“There is no better place than the Australian Cider Festival to brush up your cider knowledge and join in the biggest celebration of craft cider ever held in Australia!”

The festival will be held in conjunction with the launch of the world’s first craft cider trust mark and the presentation of the 2018 Australian Cider Awards at a gala dinner on Friday 5th October.

Richard Feyn from Sydney Brewery said, “Sydney Brewery and the Mercure Sydney are proud to be supporting the festival as major sponsors this year, reflecting our support of Australian cider producers”.

Around 1,000 people are expected to attend the festival with 100+ local and international ciders available to taste, cider-matched food and master classes throughout the afternoon.

Cider brands appearing at the festival include Cheeky Grog Co, Darkes Cider, Flying Brick Cider Co, Hillbilly Cider, LOBO Cider, Incy Wincy Cyder, Kelly Brothers Cider Co, Napoleone Cider, Pomologist Cider, Sydney Cider, The Apple Thief, Westons Australia and Willie Smith’s Cider.

Tickets to the festival are $40 presale or $45 at the door and include unlimited free tastings, a tasting glass and program.

To buy tickets visit eventbrite.com.au. Visit facebook.com/australianciderfestival or cideraustralia.org.au for more details.

Contact office@cideraustralia.org.au with stallholder queries.