SCRUMPY JACK
Scottish & Newcastle
UK, 6% ABV
Scrumpy Jack’s origin lies in the obsolete dialect word ‘scrimp’, meaning a withered apple. ‘Scrump’ is the verb that was used to mean stealing somebody else’s apples, but originally referring to the custom of collecting windfalls. A variety of locally-grown gems such as Brown Snout, Tom Putt, Foxwhelp and Chisel Jersey are used in the production of Scrumpy Jack; a proud and traditional drink, made in one of the oldest cider mills in the UK. A true amber cider, this is also one on the decline – courtesy of all the new trendier brands. Coming in at a fairly potent 6%, it isn’t one of those flat warm real ale-types, but falls somewhere in between those and the sweet, fizzy stuff that you used to buy at the offie in your early teens. For me, it conjures up images of sitting lazily outside ye olde pub in the quaint village of Scrumpyshire on a summer’s evening, a few locals and farming stereotypes scattered around, a friendly game of cricket on the village green… then a load of out-of-towners turn up in their X5s to do impressions of The Wurzels, and order bottles of fashion cider, pour it into iced pint glasses and discuss city living in their expensive education accents. There’s always someone out to spoil the quintessential vision. Joe Strummer was from Somerset. I bet he never stood for such intrusions when he went back to his roots for a ploughman’s and a pint of the good stuff. SW
