What is the best pear cider?
There is no single best pear cider: the best one is the style you enjoy. BJCP describes Common Perry, from table pears, as mildly fruity and usually semi-dry to semi-sweet, Heirloom Perry, from perry pears, as more tannic, and Ice Perry as sweet at 9–12% ABV. Then compare sweetness, strength and origin on the label.
Updated
Key facts
- Two traditions. Common Perry is made from culinary (table) pears. Heirloom Perry is "a traditional perry made from 'perry pears' grown specifically for that purpose, rather than for eating or cooking". [1]
- Sweetness can mislead. Because of sorbitol, "a perry can exhibit the impression of sweetness, yet be completely dry", and its perception as sweet "is highly variable from one person to the next". [1]
- Protected names. Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire Perry and Traditional Welsh Perry are UK PGIs, and Domfront is a French AOP for poiré. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
Which perry style should I choose?
| Style (BJCP 2025) | Pears | Character | ABV | Commercial examples (BJCP 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Perry | Table pears, such as Bartlett, Comice and Conference | "Mildly fruity, fuller-bodied. Usually semi-dry to semi-sweet" | 5–8% | Seattle Cider Perry, Snowdrift Semi-Dry Perry, Uncle John's Perry |
| Heirloom Perry | Perry pears, such as Butt, Gin, Brandy, Barland, Blakeney Red and Thorn | "Tannic and somewhat fruity, with a fuller body" | 4–9% | Burrow Hill Perry, Eric Bordelet Poiré Authentique, Oliver's Classic Perry |
| Ice perry (Poiré de Glace) | Table pears; the juice is frozen before fermentation | "Sweet, but not cloying" | 9–12% | Coteau Rougemont Poiré de Glace, Domaine de la Galotière Poiré de Glace, Domaine de Lavoie Poiré de Glace |
Source: [1] The examples are a selection from the BJCP lists and illustrate each style; they are not a ranking. In short: a drier Common Perry suits people who like light white wine, since BJCP says drier versions "tend toward a profile similar to a young white wine"; Heirloom Perry suits those who like tannin and body, and "English examples tend to be drier than French examples"; ice perry is for those who want a sweet, full-bodied perry. [1]
How do I read a pear cider label?
- The name. "Perry" and "pear cider" are not always the same drink. In the US, a wine of 7% ABV or more made only from pears must be called perry or pear wine. [7] BJCP enters a drink fermented from both apple and pear juice as C3A Fruit Cider, not as a perry. [8] See perry vs pear cider.
- Juice content. In the UK, cider and perry need at least 35% apple or pear juice for duty, and it may come from concentrate. [9]
- Added pear juice. BJCP notes that back-sweetening with raw pear juice is found in commercial examples but "is not necessarily authentic or expected in perry from areas with a long, continuous tradition". [1] The glossary explains back-sweetening.
- Sweetness. Check the sweetness word on the label; see which cider is the sweetest.
- Origin. A PGI or AOP name ties the perry to a region and its rules; see where perry is made.
How can Cider Radar help me choose?
In Cider Radar people rate each drink from 1 to 5 and on five cider-specific scales: sweetness, body, tannin, turbidity and funk. You can scan a label to open the bottle card with tasting notes and community ratings. For shops and makers, see where to buy pear cider and the guide where to buy cider.
Related answers: perry vs pear cider · where to buy pear cider
Find it on Cider Radar
- Cider makers in Herefordshire (30) · Normandy (114) · Quebec (79, for ice perry), as of 2026-10-02.
- Guide: perry among cider styles · Glossary: perry
- You can order directly from the maker in Cider Radar (iOS, Android and web).
- Open the map: app.ciderradar.com · iPhone · Android
Cider, perry, calvados and pommeau are alcoholic drinks. Enjoy responsibly and follow the legal drinking age where you live.
Questions
What are the best pear cider brands?
There is no single list. BJCP names commercial examples for each perry style (see the table above), but they illustrate the style rather than rank the best. [1] In Cider Radar you can compare community ratings.
What does perry taste like?
BJCP says Common Perry "may not taste strongly like fresh pears" and Heirloom Perry "does not taste strongly of table pears"; both can lean towards a young white wine. [1] For how perry differs from other pear drinks, see perry vs pear cider.
Is perry the same as pear cider?
Not always: the two names can cover different drinks depending on the country and the label; see perry vs pear cider.
Sources
- 2025 Cider Style Guidelines: C4 Perry — BJCP
- Herefordshire Perry (PGI) — Defra (GOV.UK)
- Gloucestershire Perry (PGI) — Defra (GOV.UK)
- Worcestershire Perry (PGI) — Defra (GOV.UK)
- Traditional Welsh Perry (PGI) — Defra (GOV.UK)
- Domfront (AOP poiré) — INAO
- Cider FAQs — Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
- 2025 Cider Style Guidelines: C3 Specialty Cider — BJCP
- Alcoholic products technical guide: section 2, alcoholic products — HM Revenue & Customs (GOV.UK)