The Erie County Fair is continuing the home cider making competition! The craft hard cider making scene in Buffalo is growing and we want to help that growth. We want to offer a tasty gluten free beverage to our guests to enjoy during their visits to the Erie County Fair, so we are partnering with BlackBird Cider Works to make it happen.
Home Cider Hobbyists from across New York State may submit their cider in the Erie County Fair’s Cider Competition. The annual summer release of the limited run, craft cider is based on the winning brew has become an anticipated tradition at the Erie County Fair for cider lovers!
The deadline to enter is April 30th. In addition to the opportunity to win a gold medal for excellence, the Erie County Fair Cider Competition’s Best of Show** entry will be professionally made, canned, and named the 2025 “Erie County Fair Best of Show Cider.” It will also be on tap at the Erie County Fair for all to enjoy!!!
** For the 2025 Erie County Fair Cider Competition we have decided to
spice things up. While we all love classic styles, we know the fair is
about having some fun. All styles can be entered and will be judged, but
the “best of show” cider main criteria will be “creative relevancy” or the
most fun cider to enjoy while being at the fair. The winning cider for this
contest will be commercially made and available at the fair AND will be
canned* for the masses. More to come!
*We are planning to make a limited run of the winner’s cider assuming:
1. The cider can be made under 7 pct abv.
2. The recipe for the cider can be easily approved by the TTB and the NYS Liquor Authority.
