JK Scrumpys Seasonal 4Pk is a rotating four-pack of farmstead hard ciders from Almar Orchards in Flushing, Michigan, with seasonal releases typically around 6.8–6.9% ABV. What distinguishes this lineup is radical simplicity: each cider is wild-fermented from organic apples grown on a family orchard with over 150 years of continuous operation, using no filtration, no sulfites, and no back sweetening.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~6.8–6.9%  |  Origin: Flushing, Michigan, USA  |  Style: Seasonal Farmstead Hard Cider  |  Producer: Almar Orchards

Production & Heritage

Almar Orchards has operated as a family farm in Flushing, Michigan, for more than 150 years. JK Scrumpy ciders are grown, pressed, fermented, and bottled entirely on the farm — a true estate cider operation. Fermentation relies predominantly on wild yeast with a small addition of champagne yeast, and the process stretches between nine and twelve months. The ciders contain only two ingredients — juice and yeast — with no sulfite, sorbate, filtration, or added sugar. The seasonal four-pack showcases rotating expressions that highlight different apple varieties and harvest characteristics throughout the year.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh apple juice dominates the nose, followed by subtle honeyed sweetness and a faint floral quality from the wild fermentation. There is a clean, orchard-fresh character throughout.

Taste: The entry is bright and juicy, with ripe apple flavor right up front. Mid-palate, a pleasant tartness emerges and balances the natural fruit sweetness, while the wild yeast lends a dry, slightly rustic complexity. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied with gentle effervescence.

Finish: Crisp and clean, tapering with a lingering fresh apple skin note. There is no cloying sweetness — just pure fruit character that invites another sip.

How to Drink JK Scrumpy Seasonal

These ciders are best served chilled, straight from the bottle or poured into a tulip glass to concentrate the aromatics. Because JK Scrumpy is unfiltered and unsweetened, it also performs well in cider-based drinks: try it in a Stone Wall (cider and bourbon over ice) where the dry apple base stands up to whiskey without turning saccharine; in a Snakebite (half cider, half lager) where the tartness adds dimension; or in a Cider Mimosa at brunch, substituting sparkling wine with this naturally effervescent cider for a lower-ABV alternative.

Best For

• Introducing craft cider enthusiasts to authentic wild-fermented farmstead cider
• Seasonal tasting flights with friends who want to explore rotating apple varieties
• Pairing with autumn and holiday meals where a dry, food-friendly cider shines
• Gifting to someone who values farm-to-glass transparency and minimal-intervention production

Frequently Asked Questions

What does JK Scrumpy Seasonal taste like? JK Scrumpy Seasonal ciders are defined by bright, fresh apple juice flavor with a natural tartness and a dry, clean finish — there is no added sugar or artificial sweetness.

How does JK Scrumpy compare to Angry Orchard? JK Scrumpy is a small-batch, wild-fermented farmstead cider with no filtration or back sweetening, while Angry Orchard is a nationally distributed brand that uses a more conventional production approach with added sweetness. JK Scrumpy tends to be drier, more complex, and closer in style to traditional European scrumpy ciders.

Is JK Scrumpy Seasonal good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the slow, nine-to-twelve-month fermentation creates enough depth and complexity to enjoy chilled without any additions. Its dry profile and natural carbonation make it refreshing and easy to drink.

Where is JK Scrumpy made? JK Scrumpy is produced at Almar Orchards in Flushing, Michigan, a family farm with over 150 years of history. Every step — growing, pressing, fermenting, and bottling — takes place on the same property.

What foods pair well with JK Scrumpy Seasonal? Roasted pork loin benefits from the cider's acidity cutting through rich fat; sharp cheddar cheese mirrors the tartness; a Waldorf salad with apples and walnuts echoes the orchard character; roasted root vegetables complement the earthy wild-yeast undertones; and apple-glazed ham creates a natural seasonal pairing.

What sizes does JK Scrumpy Seasonal come in? The seasonal release is available in a four-pack format, with individual bottles typically sold as well depending on regional availability.

Is JK Scrumpy Seasonal worth the price? JK Scrumpy positions as a premium craft cider, and its estate-grown organic fruit, wild fermentation over nine to twelve months, and zero-additive philosophy justify a higher price point compared to mass-market ciders.

Why JK Scrumpy Seasonal?

In a cider market increasingly crowded with sweetened, flavored products, JK Scrumpy stands apart by refusing to compromise. The seasonal four-pack represents one of the few true estate ciders in the United States — organic apples grown, pressed, fermented with wild yeast, and bottled on the same 150-year-old family farm with nothing added and nothing removed. That nine-to-twelve-month fermentation timeline is virtually unheard of among American cider producers and results in a depth of flavor that shortcuts cannot replicate. For anyone seeking cider as it was originally made — honest, dry, and driven entirely by fruit and fermentation — this is a benchmark.