La Familia’s cider wins silver medal at Northwest Cider Cup
La Familia Cider Company’s Jamaica Cider snatched the silver medal at this year’s Northwest Cider Cup, hosted by the Northwest Cider Association (NWCA). Based on a traditional Mexican agua fresca, this hibiscus cider beat out the competition in the Botanical/Herbal category for the second year in a row.
Jose Gonzalez, cofounder of La Familia Cider Company, attended the event himself in Portland on June 20th, which hosted some of the world’s best ciders that are produced in the Northwest.
The annual Northwest Cider Cup brings cider producers from all across the Northwest together, competing to claim the glory of being the best cider maker in a wide variety of categories. Earning a silver medal at this caliber of event is no small accomplishment. “Our ciders can stand along the others in the Northwest, the nation’s most competitive cider market,” Gonzalez said. Not only can they stand alongside the others, La Familia’s ciders rose above.
Their award-winning Jamaica Cider offers a fresh, crisp, herbal flavor, lifting you into the bliss of Spring. “We use whole, dried hibiscus flowers for an authentic tartness that complements our freshly-pressed, Northwest-grown apples,” Gonzalez said. All of La Familia’s ciders are light and refreshing, complimenting a variety of social occasions and seasons.
Gonzalez and his family opened La Familia Cider Company back in 2017, with the goal of turning their favorite childhood flavors—traditional Mexican fresh juices—into delicious adult beverages. Gonzalez’s grandparents migrated from Mexico City, packing their family, culture, and delicious aguas frescas along with them. “Our family has enjoyed our grandmother’s fresh juices all our lives, and those are what we blended to become cider,” Gonzalez said.
On top of their fresh flavors, Gonzalez said his grandparents passed down their “never give up, work super hard attitude.” That legacy of hard work and persistence paid off for the Gonzalez Family, who now share their award-winning ciders through two of their own taprooms, as well as in stores all across Oregon and Washington.
Along with sharing unique, refreshing flavors, the Gonzalez Family uses La Familia Cider Company to invest in multiculturalism in Salem and beyond, supporting nonprofits.
La Familia’s Salem and Portland taprooms invite the community into their family to enjoy refreshing drinks and lots of laughter. Taproom Manager Jazz Gonzalez, Jose’s daughter, described the taprooms as light, bright and lively, attracting customers from a wide variety of backgrounds. “The one thing they have in common is they are all fun people to be around,” Jazz Gonzalez said.
They periodically host Tap Takeovers, inviting another local cider or beer company to serve their drinks at the taphouse, offering giveaways and an opportunity to try new drinks.
Partnerships like the Tap Takeovers and Northwest Cider Cup remain a major reason why La Familia Cider Company joined the NWCA. Gonzalez, who serves on the NWCA board of directors, said that the organization works hard to promote its members, and it provides unique opportunities for high-achieving cideries to learn from one another.
Gonzalez said they plan to continue entering new flavors into the competition in the future. In the meantime, La Familia Cider Company continues to deliver a fresh, authentic taste of their Mexican heritage. Their award-winning ciders draw people into the family, one drink at a time.