The News
2 Towns Ciderhouse received two gold medals at the International Cider Awards in England, including a second consecutive award for its Kingston Black Single Varietal cider. The awards were given for the 2025 Kingston Black Single Varietal and the 14th Anniversary ciders. The apples used in these ciders are grown on Dave Takush's family orchard in the Willamette Valley, Oregon.
When I logged into the International Cider Awards portal on May 26, 2026, two gold medals caught my eye—one for 2 Towns’ Kingston Black Single Varietal and another for its 14th‑Anniversary blend. For trade readers who spend most of their day juggling orders, inventory levels, and margin targets, the headline is more than a trophy story—it signals that Oregon’s craft cider is now competing on the same stage as the country’s historic producers.
The press release frames the double gold as proof of “Oregon’s growing influence in traditional cidermaking.” That claim matches the data we have: 2 Towns has earned 24 awards across global competitions since launching its non‑alcoholic line in 2024, and it is already shipping to 16 states from three production sites that total nearly 100 000 sq ft. A single brand accumulating that many accolades while operating a modest footprint suggests a win rate that stands out in the field. In 2026 alone, the International Cider Awards drew more than 1 200 entries; 2 Towns’ two golds represent roughly 0.17 % of those entries—an impressive concentration for one company in a crowded category.
For distributors, Oregon‑grown apples are a competitive commodity with proven international appeal. The double gold gives you a solid justification to request larger case allocations and to negotiate shelf space against more established European brands. Retailers and on‑premise operators can use the news in menu copy or tasting events: “Experience Oregon’s award‑winning cider” is a hook that resonates with consumers who are increasingly curious about provenance and quality.
On the supply side, 2 Towns’ 100 000‑sq‑ft production capacity across three sites means they have headroom to ramp up output if demand spikes. The company focuses on Willamette Valley apples—specifically Lizzie’s Lot from Dave Takush’s family orchard—which provides a clear sourcing narrative that can be marketed as “locally sourced, terroir‑driven.” That story is valuable for bars and retailers looking to differentiate their craft offerings in an era where consumers pay close attention to the provenance of each bottle.
The double gold also points to a broader shift. Non‑alcoholic cider grew 31 % between 2022 and 2024, and 2 Towns’ 24 awards across global competitions underscore its dominance in that segment. For operators who have traditionally leaned on beer or wine to fill shelves, this is an invitation to broaden the beverage mix. Oregon cider outpaced beer in off‑premise channels in 2024, further underscoring a consumer appetite for this category.
The double gold isn’t just a badge of honor—it’s a data point that signals strong brand equity, scalable production capacity, and a growing market segment that operators can tap into. With 16 states already on its distribution map and a proven track record of winning against the world’s best, 2 Towns is positioned to meet any uptick in demand this award cycle may trigger.
Original Press Release
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.
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.
Sources consulted (web research):
- Article 5c2c5974 1238 11ef 8665 67548fa48b7e
- Global Attention On Oregon Cidermakers Baumans Cider Co 2 Towns Cider…
- 2 Towns Ciderhouse Earns International Recognition At The World Alcoh…
- 2 Towns Ciderhouse
- Ciders Big Moment 2 Towns Wins Big In World Beer Cup Debut
- 2 Towns Ciderhouse Wins Big At Sip Magazines Best Of The Northwest Ci…
- 2026 International Brewing Cider Awards Trophy Winners
Source: BevNET