Black Apple Recognized in International Competition

Black Apple took home two prizes at the 2023 Cidercraft awards, which saw more than 400 submissions from around the world. Black Apple’s Hibiscus, and Dry Me! were both award winners in the sixth annual international competition.

Hibiscus, a semi-dry cider infused with hibiscus, took home the highest award with Platinum in the Botanical category. Its radiant red hue and characteristic berry-packed zip complement crisp clean citrus and alluring floral aromas. The Hibiscus is Black Apple’s flagship cider and available all year across Arkansas and NE Oklahoma.

Dry Me! is a new release for 2023, and won Judge’s Pick in the Modern- Dry category. It is a bone dry, crisp and elegant hard apple cider with champagne like qualities. The cider is available across Arkansas in bars, restaurants and at their Springdale taproom.

“We are still a young cidery, and we are experimenting with novel, clean ways of making cider,” said Leo Orpin, co-founder of Black Apple. “It’s always so gratifying to see appreciation for our commitment to clean cider with no added preservatives or sulfites. We’ve tried to do something unique at Black Apple, it’s been a joy to see it so welcomed here in Arkansas and appreciated around the country.”

Black Apple opened in downtown Springdale in July 2015 as the state’s only cidery. It manufactures and serves over 14 varieties of hard cider in a historic building and taproom on Emma Avenue. The cider has been available statewide in bars and restaurants since 2018 and in cans statewide since 2019.

Cidercraft Magazine profiles the artisans behind the craft alongside the powerhouses that produce for the public, while exploring the regions and orchards, meeting the movers and shakers in the industry, listing original cocktail recipes from industry bar chefs and matching professional pairings with cider-friendly cuisine.

More information on Cidercraft’s Sixth Annual Awards is available in Cidercraft magazine special award edition here.