Styles  /  Perry  /  Experimental Perry

Experimental Perry

An open-ended catch-all for perries that don’t fit a defined style — perry made with added fruit or spices, or by an unusual process, plus historical, regional, and other-pome-fruit (quince, juneberry) versions.

Also known as Other Specialty Perry, Specialty Perry

An open-ended catch-all for perries that don’t fit a defined style — perry made with added fruit or spices, or by an unusual process, plus historical, regional, and other-pome-fruit (quince, juneberry) versions. The pear character must remain dominant and the result must read as a perry. Strength and character vary widely.

In the glass

Appearance
Varies with the base perry and any added ingredients or process.
Aroma
A pear-forward perry base plus whatever the declared concept contributes — fruit, spice, wood, or process character — in balance.
Flavor
Recognizably perry, with the experimental element evident and integrated rather than dominating. Added ingredients or processes may contribute extra body, tannin, astringency, or bitterness.
Mouthfeel
Varies with the base perry and the treatment; should remain balanced and drinkable.

Origin

Perry — fermented pear juice — has a long tradition in the pear-growing regions of England and France, and as craft cider and perry have revived, producers have begun pushing the drink beyond its defined styles: fruiting and spicing it, aging it in wood, or fermenting other pome fruits in the same spirit. This category gives those experimental and historical perries a home.

Notes

Use this only when a perry matches no defined style — a fruited or spiced perry, a wood- or process-driven version, or a historical recreation — and the pear character still leads. It is the perry counterpart to Experimental Cider; pear-based fruited or spiced versions land here rather than in the cider specialty styles. Other pome fruits such as quince or juneberry may be entered here when that fruit is the experimental focus.

Defining examples

(varies — fruited, spiced, or otherwise non-standard perry)·Sea Cider Ginger Perry·Snow Capped Cider JalaPEARño

Sources
BJCP 2025 · C4DExperimental Perry
Wikipedia contributors. “Perry.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Accessed June 26, 2026.