Calling all hard cider fans

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Are you a fan of hard cider? Do you enjoy a cold frosted glass of spiked apple and pear beverages? If so, this weekend has a fun event for you.

The Great Lakes International Cider & Perry Competition is being held on March 23-24, 2013 in Grand Rapids. The tasting begins on Saturday, March 23 with a Tap Takeover at HopCat Brewery in downtown Grand Rapids. This event will feature ciders from Black Star Farms, Sietsema Orchards, Tandem Ciders, Uncle John’s Cider Mill & Fruit House Winery and Vander Mill Cider & Winery. HopCat Brewery is located at 25 Ionia SW in downtown Grand Rapids.

The competition judging will begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 24 in the Kent Room at the Courtyard Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids. This unique competition includes categories for both commercial and non-commercial producers showcasing fermented products of all kinds like ciders, perrys, meads, beers, and commercial distillates. All judging is conducted using “blind” panels and entries are based on the level of carbonation, level of sweetness, and any special ingredients or process used in production.

For more information on the competition visit www.greatlakescider.com.