Samuel Smith Organic Perry 550ML

Samuel Smith Organic Perry 550ML is a dry, sparkling pear cider from England's oldest Yorkshire brewery, bottled at 5.0% ABV in a 550ml format. Cold-fermented with a wine yeast strain, this perry earned 87 points from Tastings.com and a Bronze medal at the 2017 Dan Berger's International Wine Competition, distinguishing it as one of the more refined organic perries available in the U.S. market.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.0%  |  Origin: Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, England  |  Style: Dry Sparkling Perry  |  Brewery: Samuel Smith's Old Brewery (est. 1758)

Production & Heritage

Samuel Smith's Old Brewery was established in 1758 in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, making it the oldest brewery in the county. While the brewery is renowned for its 19th-century Yorkshire Square slate fermentation system and a yeast strain used continuously since approximately 1900, the Organic Perry follows a different path — cold fermentation with a dedicated wine yeast strain, chosen to preserve the delicate aromatics of the pear juice. The ingredients are straightforward: water, organic pear juice, organic sugar, malic acid, yeast, organic pear extract, and carbon dioxide. A careful blend of pear varieties balances fresh fruit flavor against tartness, acidity, and residual sweetness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with the gentle, inviting scent of a ripe pear orchard in midsummer. Soft floral notes and a faint honeyed sweetness develop as the perry warms slightly in the glass.

Taste: On entry, crisp pear juice floods the palate with a clean, fruit-forward brightness. The mid-palate thickens into a smooth, lightly creamy body with balanced tartness from the malic acid. At its peak, a semi-sweet ripeness emerges before snapping back toward dry with gentle effervescence.

Finish: The finish is clean and moderately short, highlighting pure pear flavor without lingering sweetness. A subtle mineral note and light acidity keep the close refreshing and invite another sip.

How to Drink Organic Perry

Pour chilled into a wine glass or tulip glass to let the pear aromatics lift; this perry drinks best at cellar temperature, around 45–50°F. It also works surprisingly well in lighter cocktails. A Perry Spritz — topped with a splash of elderflower liqueur and sparkling water — plays up the floral pear notes. A French 75 variation using the perry in place of Champagne adds fruity complexity without overwhelming the gin base. A Pear Bellini, blending the perry with a small measure of peach purée, creates an approachable brunch serve with genuine depth of fruit.

Best For

• Summer garden parties or picnics where a light, refreshing alternative to beer is welcome
• Pairing with a British or French cheese board
• Gifting to someone exploring craft ciders and perries beyond mainstream brands
• A low-ABV aperitif before a seasonal dinner

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Samuel Smith Organic Perry taste like? It tastes like crisp, ripe pear with a smooth body, gentle tartness, and a dry sparkling finish. The cold fermentation preserves a fresh orchard-fruit character throughout.

How does Organic Perry compare to Samuel Smith's Organic Apple Cider? Both share the same organic certification and cold-fermentation approach, but the Perry is noticeably softer and more floral, while the Apple Cider leans toward a sharper, more tannic profile. Samuel Smith's Organic Apple Cider has been a flagship product since 2008, whereas the Perry occupies a more niche position in the range.

Is Organic Perry good for sipping on its own? Yes — its balanced sweetness, effervescence, and clean pear flavor make it an ideal standalone drink, especially served chilled as an aperitif or afternoon refresher.

Where is Samuel Smith Organic Perry made? It is produced at Samuel Smith's Old Brewery in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, England. The brewery has operated on the same site since 1758, making it the oldest in Yorkshire.

What foods pair well with Organic Perry? Aged cheddar or Comté cheese, as the pear fruit complements nutty, sharp flavors. Roasted pork loin, where the acidity cuts through richness. Waldorf salad, echoing the fruit and celery notes. Smoked salmon on brown bread, where the effervescence cleanses the palate. Tarte Tatin or poached pear desserts, mirroring the core fruit character.

What sizes does Organic Perry come in? The standard format is a 550ml bottle, consistent with Samuel Smith's traditional British bottle sizing across their range.

Is Organic Perry worth the price? It positions as a premium craft perry, priced above mass-market pear ciders but justified by its certified organic ingredients, wine-yeast fermentation, and the heritage of one of England's oldest breweries. For the quality and provenance, it represents strong value within the specialty cider and perry category.

Why Organic Perry?

What separates this perry from the broader market is process: cold fermentation with a wine yeast strain, rather than a standard ale or cider yeast, preserves aromatic complexity that most commercial perries sacrifice. The result scored 87 points from Tastings.com and took Bronze at the 2017 Dan Berger's International Wine Competition — modest accolades that nonetheless place it ahead of much of its competition in blind evaluation. Backed by over 260 years of brewing continuity at Tadcaster, this is not a trend-driven product; it is a carefully made organic perry from a brewery that has outlasted most of its peers. For drinkers seeking a genuine English perry with clean ingredients and verifiable provenance, Samuel Smith's bottling remains one of the most reliable choices available.