SISGA International Hall of Gala Ciders competition (Free!) Sep29- Oct2 - cider hospitality

[j...@joebarfield.com]

As a follow-up to the Asturian cider conversation...

The 12th SISGA International Hall of Gala Ciders has been announced for September 29- October 2, 2022. I will attempt to attach event and entry information below. It is free competition and quite the cultural experience. They will put you up in a hotel for 2 nights, and take you to amazing cideries, cider bars and Asturian barbeques (espiche).

I've met many cidermakers from Poland, Latvia, Norway, Italy, Chile, America, Estonia, Basque Country, Asturias, Galicia, Japan, Denmark, Slovakia,  Portugal, Canary Islands, Czech Republic, Germany, France and the UK. And even a cider maker from Spain! It's basically like being with a bunch of fellow cider makers on the fun bus that drives you through the amazing richness of Asturian cider culture. It is as much a humbling lesson in generous hospitality as it is a cider event.

Here are the highlights from last year's itinerary (This year will probably be different):

Thursday

• •    14 h Work lunch. [Asturian Restaurant + Cider]
• •    16.30 h Innaugural tastings. 
  • o    Faustino M. Vázquez. Panizales Cider Mill –Asturies
  • o    Dominic Lagadec. Txopinondo Cider Mill – France
    

• •    19 h Guided visit to a cider mill with cider pouring masterclass. [Llagar JR, + learn to do the high pour for the champion]

Friday

• •    10 h First session of competition judging [we blind judge about 30 ciders] Location: Restaurante Llagar El Duque.
• •    14 h Work lunch. [Restaurant brings food, plus we drink from the remainders of the revealed ciders we just judged]
• •    17 a 21 h Open to Public Tasting. Location: Restaurant Amares – Hotel NH Gijón. Limited vacancies.

Saturday  

• •    10 h  Second session of the competition judging.
• •    14 h  Work lunch. {More amazing Asturian food. More cider…]
• •    16.30 h First session of guided tastings: 4 tastings of half an hour each. 
• •    19 a 21 h Second session of guided tastings: 4 tastings of half an hour each. 

Sunday

• •    11 to 14 h Gala Brunch and SISGA Awards. Location: Restaurante Amares Hotel NH Gijón. Brunch elaborated by the chefs José Ramón Otero and Alejandro Fernández, pairing a dozen of gastronomic proposals –some of them live- with the best ciders. [It's nice to see our ciders paired with chefs' creations.]

This year's specific itinerary hasn't been disclosed, but I am sure it will be similar.

I highly recommend you come on over. It will be amazing. It really delivers far beyond any expectations. Every year.
Invitation and entry form attached.