Local cidermaker wins silver

James and Mandy Ostergren with their award-winning cider. Photo / Warren Buckland

Edgebrook Cider of Hawke's Bay has scooped a silver medal in the New World Beer & Cider Awards, for their Edgebrook "Festive" Hawke's Bay Cider.

Now in its second year, the awards are a unique competition celebrating great beer and cider from New Zealand and overseas.

The awards focus on the fascinating, fast growing and constantly changing beverages that are capturing the attention of so many New Zealanders.

Edgebrook Cider styles its range on the great ciders of England, and its award winning "Festive" cider is no exception.

It is described as crisp and dry, with a vibrant apple aroma and lingering, refreshing palate. It is created to emulate the ciders of the Eastern Counties.

Kent and Suffolk are well known cider producing towns, giving a strong influence to the style of this award-winning brew.

This recent success brings Edgebrook Cider's medal tally to six silver and bronze medals, not bad for a cidery that produced its first cider only three years ago.

Edgebrook's cidermaker James Ostergren said he was stoked with the award for what he describes as "an authentic, traditional, dry-style of cider".

"We want to see this style of cider succeed in New Zealand, and this is a great endorsement. Thanks to New World for getting in behind cider this year, in such a big way."

Wife Mandy Ostergren, who co-owns Edgebrook Cider said cider enthusiasts wanting to learn more about cider should experiment by trying the "exciting new brands that are out there on the marketplace".

"New producers are popping up regularly, some of whom, like us, are making their cider in the traditional way, without the use of concentrated apple juice, flavouring and colouring. It would be great to see New Zealand's cider drinking culture move away from the incredibly sweet, sugar laden RTD types, to a more traditional, refined style."