Somerset is known for its exceptional cider, and scrumpy remains one of the county’s most celebrated traditional drinks. Made from freshly pressed apples, this locally crafted cider offers a fruit-forward taste unlike any other. For many, a pint of scrumpy is a true taste of Somerset heritage.
Russell Valentin, originally from Chicago and known on social media as Red Bus Russ, recently tried scrumpy for the first time since moving to the UK. He captured his reaction in a video where he described his experience with a single word: “lethal”.
Russ explained that the cider he knew in America was more like hot apple juice with cloves, contrasting sharply with Somerset’s scrumpy. “The people of Somerset do not mess around when it comes to their cider,” he said. “This stuff is lethal.”
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In the video, Russ visited a cider farm and sampled scrumpy served in a plastic jug resembling a screen wash bottle. “This stuff blows my head right off my shoulders,” he remarked. “It steals my legs from underneath me.”
Highlighting the jug, he noted there was no clear indication of alcohol strength on the label, leaving only the sensation of the drink to measure its potency. “After two glasses I can hear Tuesday and smell purple,” he joked.
Russ pointed out the presence of small pieces of apple pulp floating at the bottom of the jug. While scrumpy enthusiasts recognise this as a sign of freshness and real fruit content, Russ admitted he was initially sceptical. “People have been telling me that’s a sign that I got the good stuff,” he said.
He added that he planned to enjoy the remainder slowly, not to savour the flavour, but to avoid being overwhelmed by its strength. “If I don’t take my time with it I’m just going to end up on the floor again, and it’s cold down there. Being British is fun.”
This experience echoes a common cultural difference: in the US, “apple cider” often refers to a non-alcoholic, spiced apple drink, whereas in the UK, cider generally means an alcoholic beverage made from apple fermentation. Visitors should note that in America, to get an alcoholic apple cider, one must specifically order “hard cider”.
Understanding these differences can add to the enjoyment and appreciation of traditional drinks like Somerset scrumpy when visiting or living in the UK.