Aston Manor Cider, the UK’s largest independent cider maker, has triumphed at the prestigious British Bottlers Institute (BBI) Awards, winning five medals and one Diploma of Excellence for their mainstream and premium ciders.

At just over the halfway point of the year, these new plaudits bring the total number of awards the cider maker has won to 15, putting them on track for winning more than the record haul of 17 in 2016.

A global competition open to all producers of cider, lager and ales, the BBI Awards acknowledges excellence both in flavour and packaging.

Aston Manor improved their 2016 performance at the awards, scooping two Gold Medals for Kingstone Press Wild Berry and Friels First Press Vintage in 330ml cans. Three Silver medals were awarded to Kingstone Press Classic Apple and Friels First Press Vintage in 500ml bottles as well as the new Friels mini-keg. The premium Knights Malvern Oak received a Diploma of Excellence.

Gordon Johncox, chief executive of Aston Manor Cider, said: “2016 was a fantastic year for us in terms of product and business awards and we look set to exceed that this year.

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

The cider producer achieved a record number of medals at the International Cider Challenge earlier this year including a Gold medal for Knights Malvern Gold, Silver for Knights Malvern Oak and several Bronze medals for the product quality and packaging of the Knights, Kingstone Press and Friels First Press Vintage brands.

At the International Cider Awards, Knight Malvern Oak took top spot in the dry cider category, Knights Malvern Oak – one of only 10 Gold medals, while in the medium class Knights Malvern Gold won one of nine silvers.

Most recently, the business was recognised for its impressive track-record of innovation at the West Midland’s Business Masters. Shortlisted alongside other prominent businesses in the region, Aston Manor won thanks to the great strides made in reducing water and energy consumption at its Stourport-on-Severn apple processing facility.