J.K.'s Scrumpy Hard Cider

Welcome to the Cider Spotlight and Cider Gal's first cider review!

My name is Kourtney (aka Cider Gal) and it's only fitting that I review (and pay homage to) the very first cider I tasted: J.K.'s Scrumpy Hard Cider

Let's take a trip down memory lane.....

My cider journey began a little over 7 years ago in a Chicago burger joint called Kuma's Corner. After ordering a burger and the mac and cheese, I scanned their extensive craft beer menu looking for anything but beer. I know...sounds odd, huh?

Well, the truth is after many attempts, I realized I wasn't a fan of beer. I'm sure it's delicious; it's just not for me. And although I liked some wines and cocktails, I constantly found myself looking for something....else.

To my surprise, I stumbled upon the only cider listed: J.K.'s Scrumpy. I began to pounder: what's a hard cider? As in apples? Wait, there's alcohol in it? Hmm...booze made out of apples? I'll have one please!

The initial sip was a burst of flavor. It brought back many memories of family visits to an apple orchard where we would always end our trip with a warm cup of apple cider. It tasted exactly like biting into a fresh apple but with a bit of carbonation. Think actual apple cider from the grocery store but somehow J.K. managed to get booze in it without altering the sweetness. Before I knew it, our table polished off the 22oz bottle and promptly ordered another one. We enjoyed it with our food, paid, and went on our way.

Yet, when all was said and done, the next day I couldn't stop thinking about that delicious hard cider. I had to have more. A quick Google search returned results of my local Binny's Beverage Depot carrying it. Don't get me wrong, I had been to Binny's plenty of times but not for hard cider. I didn't know what hard cider was, let alone that Binny's had a small aisle dedicated to it. So to my surprise again, my search for J.K.'s Scrumpy led me to an introduction with the cider world.

So thank you J.K.'s Farmhouse Ciders. Although I have ventured much into the realm of ciders and all of it's delicious complexities, J.K. Scrumpy is still one of my favorite go-to's that I keep in the fridge at all times. I especially take care to let cider newbies try it. It's always good to hear that it's one of the best tasting hard ciders they've ever sampled.

Overall, no matter where you land on the cider spectrum from novice to enthusiast, J.K.'s Scrumpy is a well-rounded and refreshing cider that should definitely be tried (and shared)

- Cider Gal

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Cider: J.K.'s Scrumpy Hard Cider

ABV: 6.0%

Color: Cloudy, Golden Yellow (similar to unfiltered apple juice)

Website: http://jksfarmhouseciders.com/ciders/

From Website:

"Scrumpy is an old English term for a farmhouse cider. Ours is made simply from the organic apples with their naturally occurring wild yeast, grown in our orchards. The same orchards that have been in our family for over 150 years.This original estate cider has a fresh and juicy apple aroma and leaves a crisp and clean finish."

• USDA Organic • Gluten Free • Sorbate Free • Sulfite Free • Certified Kosher