Cider and Perry Competition Judges

Meet the 2024 Judges!

Ken Carman, Eagle Bay, NY

Ken Carman is originally from upstate NY cider country. He's been judging beer in the late 90's and as soon as he could he became both cider and mead endorsed. He especially enjoys making Cyser from mostly extinct apples from their place in Beaver River, NY - the last railroad only village in the Adirondacks. Railroad workers planted them in the 1800's while they built the railroad.

Mark Gryska, Northampton, MA

Mark Gryska has been an amateur cider maker for the past few decades and has been an active participant for Franklin County Cider Days from its beginning. He is a Certified BJCP judge and is the organizer of the Cider Days Amateur Cider Competition and has judged cider at Big E, GLINTCAP and other competitions.

Glendowlyn Howard, Durham, NH

Lyn began making cider and perry in the Hudson Valley with her homebrew club in the 1990’s. She has made award winning ciders in several BJCP cider styles, including ice cider, New England Cider, cider with other fruit, English cider and spiced ciders. As a nationally ranked BJCP judge, with both cider and mead designations, she has judged over 60 competitions. She enjoys expanding her cider knowledge and seeks out opportunities to try new brews.

Nicole LeGrand Leibon, Post Mills, VT

Nicole LeGrand Leibon has been a cidermaker since 2000 and is particularly known for her skill at tasting and blending. Previous gigs in brewing and distillation. Member, Board of Directors, Cider Institute of North America (CINA). Certified Cider Guide, Certified Pommelier. Cider blend consultant LeNose Knows. You can reach her at LeNoseKnows@gmail.com.

Michelle Pagano, Manhasset, NY

Michelle Pagano is a Content Creator and award-winning cider maker/brewer who has skillfully designed a fast-growing brand to connect with over 30K+ Instagram & TikTok followers worldwide. Michelle has succeeded in marketing across several industries ranging from non-profit, teach, beverage, and beauty.

Michelle embarked on her fermentation journey in 2008, which transformed into an exploration of alternative techniques like gluten-free brewing, cider making, and kombucha production following her diagnosis of Celiac Disease.

Today, she is a respected cider judge and public speaker, holding certifications as a Certified Cider Professional (American Cider Association), Certified in Cider and Perry Production (Cornell AgriTech), and General Brewing (The Brewing Class). Her commitment to innovation and education continues to shape her influential presence in the brewing community

Tim Post, Cambridge, NY

Tim Post attended William H. Darr College of Agriculture (Missouri State University) in Springfield, MO, earning his Master of Science in Enology and Viticulture Program and graduated Summa cum laude in May 2020.

He is American Wine Society certified wine judge and has judged many local, state, regional, and international wine competitions.

Tim has worked in the wine industry in the Finger Lakes for 4 years, including at Fox Run Vineyard, Hosmer Winery, Domaine LeSeurre Winery, and Dr. Franks Vinifera Wine Cellars.

He is the owner of Autumn’s Harvest Vineyard where they produce distinctive wines from cold-hardy grapes.

Ben Watson, Petersborough, NH

Ben Watson has worked for many years as a writer and nonfiction editor specializing in artisan foods, organic gardening, and regenerative agriculture. He is the author or co-author of several books, including Cider, Hard and Sweet. Over the past two decades he has promoted cider in the U.S. and around the world. He has served as a cider judge for the Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition and other events. For many years he also has helped organize and develop the annual Franklin County CiderDays in western Massachusetts. His website on apple and cider history and traditions is brotherapple.com

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Cider and Perry Competition Judges

Meet the 2024 Judges!

A national treasure trove of fun