Northern Colorado's Climb Hard Spiced Apple Cider Wins Gold at Prestigious Great American Beer Festival

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Sweet Heart Brands cider earns top national honors following evaluation by Certified Pommeliers in one of America's most respected craft beverage competitions

Denver, COLORADO — October 11, 2026 — Sweet Heart Brands, the Northern Colorado company behind Sweet Heart Winery and a growing portfolio of craft cider brands, is celebrating a major national achievement after its Climb Hard Spiced Apple Cider earned a gold medal at the 2026 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) in Denver, Colorado.

Climb Hard Spiced Apple took top honors in the Botanical or Spiced Cider category, earning recognition for its exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and distinctive flavor profile.

Established in 1982 and organized by the Brewers Association, the Great American Beer Festival is widely regarded as one of the nation's most prestigious craft beverage competitions. Its awards are among the industry's most coveted honors, recognizing excellence through rigorous blind judging by highly qualified beverage professionals.

The 2026 competition brought together approximately 1,300 breweries and cidermakers, with 7,267 entries evaluated by 225 professional judges over three days of judging. The competition attracts producers from across the country, making a gold medal a significant distinction in the American craft beverage industry.

"Winning gold at the Great American Beer Festival is an incredible honor for our entire organization," said Charles Oster, CEO of Sweet Heart Brands. "This is one of the most respected competitions in our industry, and to have Climb Hard recognized at this level is extraordinarily meaningful. We have always believed that we could build world-class beverage brands right here in Northern Colorado. This award is a tremendous validation of that belief and of the people who work so hard to bring our products to life."

A Commitment to Manufacturing Excellence

Behind the award-winning cider is a commitment to disciplined production, exceptional cleanliness, consistency, and uncompromising quality standards.

Climb Hard Cider is produced under the leadership of Brent Larson, Manufacturing General Manager and Master Cidermaker for Sweet Heart Brands, whose team emphasizes meticulous production practices and attention to detail throughout the cidermaking process.

"Great cider doesn't happen by accident. It starts with quality ingredients, but it's the discipline and consistency of the manufacturing process that make the difference," said Larson. "We hold ourselves to extremely high standards when it comes to cleanliness, sanitation, equipment care, and quality control. Every step of the process matters, from fermentation through packaging. Our goal is to produce a cider that is not just excellent once, but exceptional every single time someone opens a can. Winning gold is a tremendous recognition of the pride and commitment our entire manufacturing team brings to its work every day."

The winning cider was evaluated by a panel of Certified Pommeliers, professionals who have earned specialized credentials through the American Cider Association. Their training encompasses cider production, apple varieties, sensory evaluation, and structured blind tasting.

The Great American Beer Festival's gold medal designation recognizes world-class beverages that exemplify their respective styles through exceptional balance, aroma, flavor, and appearance.

A Gold Medal With Special Meaning

For Dylan Kaczeus, General Manager of Business Development and Wholesale for Sweet Heart Brands, the Great American Beer Festival holds special significance. Kaczeus previously worked with his family's award-winning Bootstrap Brewing Company, founded by his parents, Steve and Leslie Kaczeus. The Longmont-based brewery, which has earned recognition in major national beer competitions, joined the Left Hand Collective in 2026.

Having experienced the competitive craft beverage industry firsthand, Kaczeus understands the significance of earning a gold medal on a national stage. "I've been around this industry for a long time, and I know how difficult it is to win at the Great American Beer Festival," said Kaczeus. "Coming from Bootstrap Brewing, I've seen firsthand the level of quality, consistency, and dedication it takes to compete against the best producers in the country. I was confident we had a product that could be recognized, but to actually win gold is overwhelming. This is huge for Climb Hard and for everyone at Sweet Heart Brands. I'm incredibly proud of what Brent and our manufacturing team have accomplished, and I believe this is just the beginning of what we can achieve with our cider brands."

Climb Hard: Crafted for Those Who Reach Higher

Climb Hard Cider is part of the expanding Sweet Heart Brands portfolio, which also includes Sweet Heart Winery, Patriot Press American Hard Cider, and SweetHeart Cider.

Inspired by Colorado's adventurous spirit, Climb Hard celebrates determination, resilience, and the enjoyment of life's journey. Its distinctive brand identity and playful tagline, "Climb Hard, It's Easy," reflect a belief that great experiences are worth pursuing and even better when shared.

The award-winning Spiced Apple Cider brings together the natural character of apples with a distinctive spiced profile, creating a flavorful expression of the brand's commitment to quality and craftsmanship.

National Recognition During a Period of Significant Growth

The gold medal comes during a period of remarkable growth and expansion for Sweet Heart Brands. The company continues to strengthen its presence throughout Northern Colorado through Sweet Heart Winery in Loveland, its Fort Collins operations, and the development of its newest Sweet Heart Wine & Cider location at RainDance in Windsor. Sweet Heart Brands also recently announced a multiyear partnership as the Official Wine & Cider of the Colorado Eagles, bringing its wines and ciders to Blue Arena in Loveland and introducing its growing portfolio of brands to thousands of hockey fans and event attendees throughout the year.

The national recognition further strengthens the company's position as an emerging force in Colorado's craft beverage industry while creating new opportunities for retail distribution, wholesale partnerships, and consumer awareness. "This award is about more than a medal," Oster added. "It's about the people behind our products, the community that supports us, and the belief that we can build something truly special here in Northern Colorado. Our mission is to create experiences for people to connect, and we're proud to see our products earning recognition on a national stage."

About Sweet Heart Brands

Based in Loveland, Colorado, Sweet Heart Brands is a growing craft beverage and hospitality company whose portfolio includes Sweet Heart Winery, Climb Hard Cider, Patriot Press American Hard Cider, and SweetHeart Cider. Guided by its mission to "Create experiences for people to connect," the company combines premium beverage craftsmanship with distinctive brands, memorable hospitality experiences, and a strong commitment to community. Sweet Heart Winery has been recognized among America's top wineries, and the company continues to expand its hospitality locations, tasting experiences, and craft beverage distribution throughout Colorado.

Media Contact Megan Nickeslon megan@sweetheartbrands.com www.SweetHeartWinery.com