The business was awarded a gold medal for the Friels Raspberry, Mint & Lime cider. This innovative cider, which was launched last year, uses Friels Vintage Cider as a base and blends it with natural raspberry juice and a mint and lime infusion.

There was further success for the Friels brand, as the Vintage Apple Cider collected a silver, alongside Crumpton Oaks Scrumpy and the newly launched Malvern Gold from the Malvern Cider Co.

Malvern Gold cider was also given a bronze medal for its bottle label design, which features a painting of the Malvern Hills by local artist Antony Bridge.

Aston Manor’s flagship brand Kingstone Press was recognised with bronze medals for both its Classic Apple and Wild Berry ciders.

Glen Friel, sales and marketing director of Aston Manor Cider, said: “We’re delighted that Friels Raspberry, Mint & Lime has won a gold medal at the International Cider Challenge.

“To have the judges recognise much of our cider portfolio as some of the best products on the market is a testament to the skill, innovation and passion of our cider makers.

“After several years of investment in both our production facilities and product development, we are pleased to see how international recognition for our products is supporting the excellent reputation we feel is merited given the quality of our operations and people in the Midlands and Tiverton.”

Eclor, the beverage branch of Agrial that acquired Aston Manor Cider in 2018, also saw success at the International Cider Challenge for their cider brands. Loïc Raison Cidre de Dégustation received a bronze medal and Ecusson’s L’Essentiel and Le Delicieux were awarded silver medals.

The International Cider Challenge recognises the best products in the diverse and growing cider market - This year saw 260 ciders entered from 19 countries. 

The products are entered in categories and blind tasted by an expert panel of independent judges and assessed according to their taste, appearance and aroma. An accreditation from the International Cider Challenge is one of the most significant accolades in the industry.

Winning seven medals at the International Cider Challenge sets a new record for the business, following being awarded six medals in 2018. As well as being recognised for the quality of their products, Aston Manor’s sustainability programme has also been celebrated in 2019, winning Large Business of the Year at the West Midlands Business Masters and being a finalist in the Sustainability category at the Made in the Midlands Awards.