It was unanimous! We have a new First Place Orcas Home Brewer who is now the proud owner of a coveted number one Crow Valley Pottery trophy plate made specifically by Crow Valley every year for the competition!

Libby Garcia toppled the Litch/Bishop two-year first-place reign with her “Boathouse Brews Gingered Hard Cider” made with local apples and organic sugar and ginger. It was the only entry to receive a perfect 10 from one of the judges and garnered comments like “Very nice, gingery mouthful,” and “True to the (ginger) nuance.”

Congratulations also to Gill Becerra who once again came in second place, this time with his caramelized apple cider; and third place winner was once again Grace and Aaron of Anderson Cider with their 2012 vintage “Coté de Rhone yeast scrumpy.” Our professional judges were Becca Gray with Island Hoppin’, Vince Carlton with Adytum Cellars and Jason Spears with Locust Cider.

The annual Home Brew Cider Competition was part of the fifth Annual Orcas Island Cider & Mead Festival held on Saturday, June 27th, when nineteen cider and mead producers came to Orcas to offer tastes to 600+ visitors under the big tent on the Village Green. It was a great day and an awesome fundraiser for the Farm to Cafeteria Program!