Midlands-based, Aston Manor Cider, has been awarded four medals, including gold, at the acclaimed, International Cider Challenge 2015.

The UK’s largest independent cider maker secured their best result to date at the highly-prized competition with four ciders from their portfolio being celebrated for their quality and taste.

Benchmarked against a wide range of other ciders, Malvern Gold won a gold medal, Crumpton Oaks won a silver medal and Frosty Jack’s Mixed Berry and Kingstone Press Pear both earned a bronze medal.

The awards, which celebrate the best tasting ciders, are given to individual cider brands which have been selected for their flavour, aroma and appearance by a panel of judges after a blind tasting.

Gordon Johncox, managing director at Aston Manor Cider, commented: “We are delighted to have been awarded four medals at the International Cider Challenge – our best achievement in this competition to date.

“As the ciders are judged through a blind tasting, the medals awarded are a credit to the quality of these products. Our ethos is to make only the finest ciders so these medals are testament to the hard work and effort that we put into our business.”

Following this achievement, Aston Manor Cider also won the coveted award for the Best Manufacturer (Large) at the West Midlands Business Masters Awards 2015.

The family-owned business scooped the prestigious award at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham after being selected from the shortlist of major international businesses based in the Midlands.

Aston Manor Cider, who currently employs over 280 workers, was recognised for its growth and contribution to the local community and economy.

The Midlands-based business has increased its production with a significant planting scheme which will add 350,000 trees to the landscape, expanding the number of acres that supply the business from 300 to 1,300.