What is the difference between perry and pear cider?

Key facts

• Definition. BJCP defines perry as "the fermented juice of crushed pears", with pears making up most of what is fermented. [1]
• Sorbitol. Perry pears can contain sorbitol, "a non-fermentable, sweet-tasting sugar alcohol", so even a dry perry may taste slightly sweet. [1]
• Protected names. Gloucestershire Perry, Herefordshire Perry, Worcestershire Perry and Traditional Welsh Perry are UK PGIs. [2] [3] [4] [5] In France, Domfront is the only AOP for a perry (poiré). [6]

Is perry the same as pear cider?

	United Kingdom	United States (7% ABV and over)
Legal basis	Both fall under the duty definition of cider: at least 35% apple or pear juice, which may be from concentrate [7]	Pure-pear wine must be labelled "perry" or "pear wine", not "pear cider" [8]
Apple–pear mixes	Pear juice is limited to 25% in cider; apple juice to 25% in perry [9]	Co-ferments may be "pear cider", "apple perry" or "apple-pear wine" [8]
What the name tells you	Little: check the ingredients	Whether apples are involved

In the US, pear-based cider can also qualify for the federal hard-cider tax rate, just like apple cider. [10]

How is perry different from apple cider?

Perry is made from pears and cider from apples, and the fruit changes the drink. The Herefordshire Perry PGI describes perry as having "a soft, slightly floral flavour and pale colour, with positive astringency softened by residual sweetness due to non-fermentable sorbitol". [11] BJCP says perry is "notoriously difficult to clear", so a slight haze is not a fault. [12] The steps are otherwise the same as for cider: mill, press, ferment and mature; see how perry is made. For the regions with a perry tradition, see where perry is made.

How else do perry and pear cider differ?

• Fruit. Traditional perry uses perry pears; many are high in tannin and poor for eating. BJCP's Common Perry style uses culinary pears instead. [1]
• Blends. In BJCP's system, a drink fermented from apple and pear juice together is a Fruit Cider, not a perry. [13]
• Read the label. The fruit, juice content and any added flavour matter more than the name. To find bottles, see where to buy pear cider.

Related answers: where to buy pear cider · whether pear cider has alcohol

Find it on Cider Radar

• Perry makers (examples): Oliver's Cider & Perry and Gregg's Pit Cider & Perry (Herefordshire), Harcourt Perry & Cider Makers (Victoria, Australia).
• Regions: Herefordshire (30 makers) · Gloucestershire (8), as of 2026-10-02.
• Glossary: perry · Guide: perry among cider styles
• 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.