Dave Takush and Scott Katsma Accept Awards for Excellence in Cider Craftsmanship

Corvallis, Ore. – May 31, 2024 – 2 Towns Ciderhouse and Seattle Cider Company share this year’s designation of Cidermaker of the Year at the prestigious Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition (GLINTCAP). This recognition underscores the exceptional skill and dedication of PNW cidermakers Dave Takush and Scott Katsma and their teams.

GLINTCAP, held annually in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is the world’s largest cider competition. Since its inception in 2005, it has become the benchmark for excellence in the cider industry, attracting entries from around the globe. The 2024 competition received 1,237 entries, including 939 commercial and 298 non-commercial ciders. Judges from around the world – including Canada, Chile, Japan, Germany, Spain, England, and the USA – evaluated each cider based on appearance, aroma, taste, and overall quality. The event, managed by GLINTCAP Competition Director and Michigan Cider Association Executive Director, Paula Englin, is an intense three-day event dedicated to sensory evaluation and celebrates the craftsmanship of cider making.

Over the years, both 2 Towns Ciderhouse and Seattle Cider Company have earned numerous accolades, leading to this landmark achievement.

Since its inception in 2010, 2 Towns Ciderhouse has amassed an impressive 206 awards at GLINTCAP, including 5 Best in Class, 20 Gold, 104 Silver, and 77 Bronze medals. This year, the company received 19 awards, solidifying its status as an industry leader.

Similarly, over the past nine years, Seattle Cider Company has garnered 155 awards at GLINTCAP, including 10 Best in Class, 15 Gold, 72 Silver, and 58 Bronze medals and an impressive 27 awards in this year’s competition, marking another stellar achievement for Seattle Cider Company.

“We are incredibly honored to receive the ‘Large Cidery of the Year’ award for the third consecutive year,” shared Scott Katsma, Brand Development Manager for Seattle Cider Co. “This recognition from such a prestigious competition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of our entire team. We strive to craft the highest quality cider, and this award reaffirms our commitment to excellence in every cider we produce. Thank you to our loyal customers and everyone who supports us on this journey.”

Lee Larsen, co-founder and CEO of 2 Towns Ciderhouse, expressed his excitement saying, “On behalf of 2 Towns Ciderhouse, I want to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to GLINTCAP for honoring our team. We’re thrilled by this recognition and delighted to see our cidermaker and his team honored in this way. They truly deserve this designation.”

Dave Takush, Head Cidermaker at 2 Towns Ciderhouse adds, “It’s an incredible honor to be recognized alongside our Pacific Northwest neighbor for the work we are so passionate about. We’re extremely fortunate to live in a region that grants us access to a bounty of high-quality fruit—each ingredient is an essential element in the creation of our cider.”

This year, Seattle Cider Company and 2 Towns Ciderhouse received the following accolades at GLINTCAP:

Top Honors:

• Large Cidermaker of the Year (500,001 gallons +) 2 Towns Ciderhouse and Seattle Cider Company
• Best in Class: 13th Anniversary (Fortified Cider) by 2 Towns Ciderhouse
• Best in Class: Honeycrisp (Modern Cider – Sweet) by Seattle Cider Co

Gold Medals:

• Honeycrisp: Modern Cider – Sweet by Seattle Cider Co
• VIVID Bright Cherry: Fruit Cider by Seattle Cider Co
• Kingston Black Single Varietal: Traditional Cider – Dry by 2 Towns Ciderhouse

Silver Medals:

• Fill Up This Bucket: Modern Cider – Dry: by 2 Towns Ciderhouse
• French Farmhouse: Traditional Cider – Sweet by 2 Towns Ciderhouse
• Made Marion: Fruit Cider by 2 Towns Ciderhouse
• Pristine Peach: Fruit Cider by 2 Towns Ciderhouse
• Raspberry Cosmic Crisp: Fruit Cider by 2 Towns Ciderhouse
• Strawberade: Fruit Cider by 2 Towns Ciderhouse
• Tropical Cosmic Crisp: Fruit Cider by 2 Towns Ciderhouse
• The Baddie: Botanical Cider by 2 Towns Ciderhouse
• Westward Whiskey Collaboration: Wood-Aged Cider by 2 Towns Ciderhouse
• Nice & Neat: Wood-Aged Specialty Cider by 2 Towns Ciderhouse
• City Fruit 2022: Modern Cider – Dry by Seattle Cider Co
• City Fruit 2023: Modern Cider – Dry by Seattle Cider Co
• Perry: Modern Perry by Seattle Cider Co
• Marionberry: Fruit Cider by Seattle Cider Co
• Mixtape: Hopped Cider by Seattle Cider Co
• Gin Botanical: Botanical Cider by Seattle Cider Co
• Gravenstein Rose: Wood Aged Specialty by Seattle Cider Co
• That’ll Do, Fig: Specialty Cider and Perry by Seattle Cider Co
• Three Pepper: Specialty Cider and Perry by Seattle Cider Co
• Odyssey: Unlimited Cider by Seattle Cider Co

Bronze Medals:

• City Fruit 2021: Modern Cider – Dry by Seattle Cider Co
• Dry: Modern Cider – Dry by Seattle Cider Co
• Light Cider: Modern Cider – Dry by Seattle Cider Co
• McIntosh SV: Modern Cider – Dry by Seattle Cider Co
• VIVID Tart Apple: Modern Cider – Dry by Seattle Cider Co
• Our Day – 10th Anniversary: Modern Cider – Dry by Seattle Cider Co
• Semi Sweet: Modern Cidery – Sweet by Seattle Cider Co
• VIVID Fresh Peach: Fruit Cider by Seattle Cider Co
• VIVID Juicy Pear: Fruit Cider by Seattle Cider Co
• Basil Mint: Botanical Cider by Seattle Cider Co
• Barrel-Aged Dry: Wood Aged Cider by Seattle Cider Co
• Apricuddle: Specialty Cider and Perry by Seattle Cider Co
• Pumpkin Spice: Specialty Cider and Perry by Seattle Cider Co
• Punch Bowl: Specialty Cider and Perry by Seattle Cider Co
• BrightCider: Modern Cider – Dry by 2 Towns Ciderhouse
• Cosmic Crisp: Modern Cider – Sweet by 2 Towns Ciderhouse
• English Blend: Traditional Cider – Dry by 2 Towns Ciderhouse
• 2022 Cidre Bouché: Traditional Cider – Sweet by 2 Towns Ciderhouse
• Apricot Cosmic Crisp: Fruit Cider by 2 Towns Ciderhouse
• Dark Cherry Bad Apple: Wood-Aged Specialty Cider by 2 Towns Ciderhouse
• Blueveré: Fortified Cider by 2 Towns Ciderhouse

“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and participants and a big thank you to all the volunteer judges and stewards,” said Paula Englin, Competition Director of GLINTCAP and Executive Director of the MCA. “Your dedication and passion for cider and perry making are truly inspiring. We are honored by your participation in the world’s largest cider competition!”

About 2 Towns Ciderhouse
2 Towns Ciderhouse was founded on the belief that the long history of cidermaking demands respect and deserves to be done right. Starting with the highest quality, whole ingredients from local farms, we take no shortcuts in crafting our ciders. Over the years our company has retained these core values to branch out into different segments within the alcohol beverage space to become a premium total beverage company. Our goal is to create the best craft beverages on the market and continue to develop and evolve the beverage space in innovative new ways.

From humble beginning in 2010 in an old 900 sq. ft. 2 car garage we have grown into one of the largest craft beverage companies in the northwest now employing over 100 individuals, distributing to 15+ states and running 3 different production facilities totaling almost 100,000 sq. feet. As a family-owned company, we are committed to the growth of our team and enrichment of our communities. We take pride in producing true Northwest craft beverages.

For more information on 2 Towns Ciderhouse, visit www.2townsciderhouse.com.

About Seattle Cider Company
A leader in craft cider since 2013, Seattle Cider Co. ferments innovative, award-winning ciders in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Seattle Cider offers an incredible line up of year-round and seasonal offerings and has something for every cider drinker. Seattle Cider products are available throughout Washington, Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Wisconsin. Seattle Cider ships direct to customer in 38 states. Visit the Seattle Cider Taproom, at 4660 Ohio Ave. S. in Seattle.

For more information, visit www.seattlecidercompany.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jessica Wisor – Marketing Manager
[email protected]

Maura Hardman – Marketing and PR Manager
[email protected]

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