2nd Place at the Great Lakes Expo Cider Competition for the State

By Ron Cammel | The Grand Rapids Press

"The art of cider making is generating some local buzz. As Alpine Township apple grower Jim Hill was named a master cider maker Wednesday night, Walker farmers Jim and Becky Engelsma qualified for the same designation in an annual statewide contest.

Hill was honored at an event at the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo at DeVos Place, having taken first place in the expo’s cider contest last year for the third time. This year, The Engelsmas, of Engelsma’s Apple Barn Cider Mill, took their third first-place prize, so they will be honored next year. Also, Sparta cider maker Stephen Klein, of Klein Cider Mill, took an honorable mention.

Westview Orchards near Romeo took second place, and Erwin Orchards in South Lyon took third place. Erwin won first place four times in the competition’s 14 years."

Read the rest of the article at http://www.mlive.com/a2z/index.ssf/2010/12/alpine_walker_cider_makers_honored_at_great_lakes_fruit_vegetable_and_farm_market_expo.html.