Family orchard cider earns Gold in England, highlighting Oregon’s growing place in traditional cider making
CORVALLIS, Ore., May 26, 2026 – 2 Towns Ciderhouse has earned two gold medals at the prestigious International Cider Awards in England, including a second consecutive award for its Kingston Black Single Varietal cider, crafted from apples grown in the Willamette Valley on Head Cidermaker Dave Takush’s family orchard.
The International Cider Awards is part of an international awards program with roots dating to 1888, judged exclusively by working brewers and cidermakers through a multi-round tasting process built on discussion and consensus.
2 Towns Ciderhouse received gold medals for:
• 2025 Kingston Black Single Varietal – GOLD
Tannin Driven Cider Class 1.2 (2–8.5% ABV)
• 14th Anniversary – GOLD
Class 2.2 (2–8.5% ABV)
For Takush, the recognition represents more than a medal.
Traditionally grown in England, Kingston Black apples are prized for their balance of tannin, acidity, and sugar – qualities that have made the variety foundational to classic English cider for generations. In 2012, Takush planted Kingston Black trees on his parents’ orchard in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The orchard block, known as Lizzie’s Lot, was named in memory of his mother.
Today, that fruit is earning international recognition on the very stage where traditional cider styles were born.
“The apples come from my father’s orchard in the Willamette Valley, from a block called Lizzie’s Lot, named in memory of my mother,” Takush said. “Our Kingston Black cider is about showcasing the depth and structure of this apple. To have it recognized with back-to-back awards in a competition where we’re going head-to-head with English producers who have been making these styles for centuries is incredibly meaningful.”
“It also reflects the evolution of cider in Oregon,” Takush added. “We now have the fruit and the expertise to produce traditional cider styles at a world-class level.”
2 Towns also earned Gold for its 14th Anniversary cider, a thoughtfully blended release crafted with heirloom varieties from local orchards, including Washington-grown Dolgo crabapples and a mix of Oregon heirloom apples, celebrating the cidery’s longstanding commitment to Pacific Northwest-grown fruit and balanced, fruit-forward craftsmanship.
For 2 Towns, the recognition is both deeply personal and reflective of a broader shift happening within American cider. What was once considered a distinctly European tradition is now being shaped by orchards, growers, and cidermakers in Oregon and across the Pacific Northwest.
From a family orchard in the Willamette Valley to the world stage in England, the award-winning Kingston Black from 2 Towns Ciderhouse represents not only a cider, but the growing global recognition of Oregon’s place in the future of craft cider.
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About 2 Towns Ciderhouse
Founded in 2010, 2 Towns Ciderhouse is an independently owned, Northwest-based beverage company dedicated to crafting high-quality cider and innovative beverages using whole, thoughtfully sourced ingredients. What began in a 900-square-foot garage has grown into one of the nation’s largest craft beverage companies, with more than 100 employees, three production facilities totaling over 100,000 square feet, and distribution across 16 states. 2 Towns is the #1 craft cider and beer brand in the Pacific Northwest and #2 cider brand nationwide and continues to evolve the beverage space as a premium total beverage company. For more information on 2 Towns Ciderhouse, visit www.2townsciderhouse.com.
Contact:
Jessica Wisor
j.wisor@2townsciderhouse.com