Aston Manor Cider is toasting success as 2017 draws to a close with another raft of award wins.

Several of Aston Manor’s premium and mainstream ciders were recognised at the International Bottle and Packer Awards with a Gold medal for Kingstone Press Wild Berry, Silver for Kingstone Press Classic Apple and Friels First Pressed Vintage and a Diploma for Knights Malvern Oak. The business also received a Gold medal and Diploma for the innovative packaging for their Friels First Press Vintage 330ml can and mini-keg.

Having surpassed in August the previous benchmark for accolades in a single year, the UK’s largest independent cider maker has now reached a total of 29 awards in 2017 for its products, innovation and manufacturing excellence.

These new awards come at the end of a record-breaking harvest for the business. After a significant investment programme, all of the 400,000 new trees yielded for the first time this year.

Gordon Johncox, CEO at Aston Manor Cider, said: “Our strategic plan to ‘consolidate and broaden’ operations is delivering ahead of expectations meaning we are confident that no other cider maker, perhaps no other drinks producer, is better established and better placed to respond to challenges and develop opportunities.

“Medals from the likes of the International Cider Challenge and the World Cider Awards – who named Knights Malvern Gold the World’s Best Non-Sparkling Cider – are a reflection of the talent of our cider makers and the quality of our production processes.”

Paul Clifford, manufacturing director at Aston Manor Cider, added: “Over the past few years, we have dedicated significant resources and £30m worth of investment into our already world-class facilities and 2017 certainly saw this bear fruit.

“We are one of the only drinks manufactures to have AA* accreditation from the BRC across all our sites.

“Add to this more than 20 audits, many unannounced, and we are setting a standard for quality.

“Winning the Innovation category at the West Midland’s Birmingham Business Awards and being named a finalist for Excellence in Manufacturing at the Birmingham Post Awards earlier in the year was further recognition and supports the excellent reputation we feel is merited, given the quality of our operations and people.”