Cider Contest

Dear Michigan Cider Maker:

The Michigan Apple Cider Contest is back in 2024 for its 26^th Edition. Please consider entering!

I am happy to continue this tradition in its 26^th edition and I am once again looking forward to honoring the excellence of cider production in Michigan. I would like to thank the sponsors for this event: The Michigan State Horticultural Society and the Michigan Apple Committee.

Remember that the Michigan Apple Cider Contest and the Sweet & Hard Cider educational program, both being held as a part of the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO conference, is being held December 10^th – 12^th at the DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids.

I hope that you are considering entering the 26th Annual Michigan Apple Cider Contest.  Entering the contest is easy, just bring two gallons of thawed cider to the Exhibitors Registration booth at the EXPO Registration area on Tuesday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm or Wednesday morning from 8:00 am to noon. Many of our winning ciders over the years of this competition have been from frozen cider made earlier in the fall. I will attach the Cider Contest Entry Form to this note.  

I also want to remind you that the Sweet & Hard Cider Educational Session is being held on Tuesday morning, December 10^th. This year we decided to combine the educational session for sweet and hard cider instead of having two separate sessions. Click on the link above for details of the session.

This year instead of the traditional Expo Banquet there will be an evening social on Wednesday. The winners will be announced at the social, with the final round entrants being notified ahead of the event. The winner will receive the traveling trophy and second and third place will receive plaques. The awards are sponsored by The Michigan Apple Committee, The Michigan State Horticultural Society, and Fruit Growers News.

Once again, I hope that you are considering entering this year’s Cider Contest. I look forward to seeing you at EXPO.  As always, call or email with any questions that you may have regarding the Cider Contest.

Take care,

Derek Plotkowski, Ph.D.
Fruit Extension Educator for Southeast Michigan
plotkow5@msu.edu
Cell: (586) 337-5615