A blossoming trio for Armagh Cider Company
Armagh Cider Company, the first Northern Ireland producer of commercial cider, has recently won awards at three prestigious ceremonies, two international and one national - The International Cider Challenge, The Great Lakes Cider & Perry Competition and the Royal Bath and West Society Show.
The International Cider Challenge recognises the diversity and range of packaged products in the dynamic and growing cider category. Having previously won awards in 2010, Armagh Cider was successful in obtaining two bronze medals for 'Carsons Crisp' and 'Maddens Orchard Bramble' Ciders in the recent 2013 competition. Other winners of the 2013 awards include Aspalls, Bulmers, Rekorderlig, Thatchers and Westons.
The company gained a silver medal at the Royal Bath and West Society Show for its A1 Apple Juice.
The Great Lakes Cider & Perry Competition was held in Michigan in March 2013. The competition was formed to showcase and promote the art of apple and pear fermentation beverages. Armagh Cider Company won two bronze medals at the awards for 'Carsons Crisp' and 'Carsons Premium' Ciders.
Armagh Cider Company was founded in 2005, at Ballinteggart House - the family farm of Philip and Helen Troughton, just outside Portadown in county Armagh. The Troughton family have been growing apples on the farm for over five generations, and produce a range of ciders and apple juices made primarily using the Armagh Bramley Apple which has recently received a PGI status.
Operating from a purpose-built cider unit, the company is proud of its 'Blossom to Bottle' ethos, being the only producer in the North of Ireland which handle all operations - from growing, to pressing, to fermenting and blending, to bottling and distribution; giving them full security and control of the entire process.
The company said receiving awards from these three prominent competitions had seen a significant increase in sales and recognition.
The company recently hit 10,000 likes on Facebook and has successfully received a listing with a major beer and cider importer in Finland. The company has also been successful in obtaining sales from other artisan beer and cider makers through contract bottling.