scrumpy

Scrumpy is a traditional cider from the West Country of England, especially Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset. It denotes a rustic, often unfiltered cider made from locally pressed apples, typically produced on farms or in small-time mills and sold in bottles or casks.

Scrumpy is usually produced from a blend of cider apples; fermentation relies on natural or ambient yeasts with minimal filtration. As a result it is often cloudy and full-bodied, with a tangy apple character and variable sweetness. It can be still or lightly sparkling, and its strength commonly ranges from about 4% to 8% ABV.

The term dates from the traditional West Country cider trade; the exact origin is uncertain. "Scrumpy" has come to connote a rough, strong farmhouse cider. Some link the name to scrumping, the act of stealing apples, while others point to dialect forms.

In modern markets, "scrumpy" can refer to farmhouse or craft ciders that emphasize traditional methods, or to unrefined, rustic styles. Some producers offer "strong scrumpy" with higher ABV, and label their products as cloudy or unfiltered to distinguish them from filtered commercial ciders.

Scrumpy is associated with rural pubs, apple orchards, and seasonal harvest celebrations in the West Country. It is often consumed with hearty foods such as pork and cheese and is regarded as a symbol of regional cider-making heritage.