A SOMERSET cider maker is "beyond thrilled" to have received several awards at the International Brewing & Cider Awards in Burton upon Trent.
The awards are the oldest and most distinguished of their kind and have been dubbed the 'Oscars of the brewing industry'.
Sheppy's Cider, based between Taunton and Wellington, took the International Classic Cider trophy with its new Vintage Cloudy Cider.
The cider maker's Vintage Cloudy Cider also won in the dry tannic cider category.
Sheppy's Vintage Perry took a gold medal in the perry category, while Sheppy's 200 Cider gained a silver award in the sweet tannic cider category.
A total of 126 medals and 12 trophies were awarded to beers and ciders from 24 countries, including entrants from Australia, China, Japan, Luxembourg, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United States.
The winners were announced at 5:30pm on Thursday, November 18.
Managing director David Sheppy said: "We are beyond thrilled to have won multiple accolades across the International Brewing & Cider Awards.
"It is extremely special to Sheppy’s as it was the first award that we ever won for our cider back in 1932 and put us on the map, so to speak."
He added: "My family has been making premium cider for over 200 years and we are incredibly proud of our heritage and the skills we pass from generation to generation, which is at the heart of everything Sheppy’s does.
"To have other cider makers recognise us at this level demonstrates the quality of our cider and skills of our team."
Judging took place between November 16 and 18 at Burton's National Brewery Centre by beer and cider-making professionals from around the world.
Sheppy's is one of the world's oldest cider makers with a history stretching back over 200 years.
Gabe Cook, chair of cider judging, said: "It has been a privilege to be able to chair the most important and prestigious competition of its kind for the cider industry.
"We have welcomed international judges, including representatives from America, Ireland and Japan and the UK, to preside over world-class entries from across the world.
"Consumers' palettes are becoming more discerning and, as we have seen other drinks categories expand and diversify, the same is true for cider.
"Cider-makers are expanding their offer and we have seen some remarkable examples these last three days.
"To crown winning ciders from the likes of Canada, China, Luxembourg and Switzerland – nations not widely known for their cider production – shows how the category is increasing its international footprint and growing in popularity."
