hard cider anyone? - Page 2

Iarwain · 10-08-2009, 05:43 PM

This is my first attempt at home brewing but I'm really excited to try it. I'm still a little sketchy on the secondary stage (making it fizzy) and bottling. Right now I have it in a gallon jug with a latex glove for a primitive airlock ('cause that's what I had). From what I gather I'll need to add sugar and then let it go a bit longer, right? How will I know when it's done and then what about bottling? (I know I can google this but it got confusing.) I have a bunch of 16 oz bottles with screw-on caps (from store bought kombucha). I was hoping to be able to use those since I already have them but then I wasn't sure about the pressure and such.

JenLovie · 10-08-2009, 05:53 PM

Yum! I love Strongbow.

shirelingmum · 10-08-2009, 06:45 PM

okies! we use the glove too! basically you decide when to stop feeding it. it can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months according to your taste preference. after you rack it off (getting as much juice out of the jug without the sediment collcted @ bottm, then wash/sterilise jug and re-add the juice and a bit of yeast (champagne yeast is what we usually use, available @ any brewing shop) add about a cup of sugar (or to your taste), berry juice, or even cinnamon imperials (a certain kind of red hots) to it (we call this apple jack-makes a great spicy reddish cider that's amazing close to christmas!). you'll know it's time to feed it when it slows down or when you see little to no activity in it. the more sugar you add to feed on the longer the yeast will have to feed to process through it. basically when you bottle it (we usually use the lager bottles you can get @ ikea with the clasp/rubber top-otherwise you ca use your own bottles, just make sure you use NEW caps-either screw on or pop-tops. make sure to sterilise everything! basicaly wen it achieves the taste you like, bottle it and either shelf it (which will age it and give it a more dry flavour over time) or fridge it (which will essentially "stop" it and give it more of an "effervescence" or fizz you're looking for. they also have tablets you can add (also can be purchased from a home brewing shop) to help if you want more fizzies

also, the more sugar you add the stronger the alcohol content over time when it's been feeding.-just remember, if you give it more sugar than the yeast can feed on, it can kill it too

so start out gradually! use raw, brown, sucanat, honey (for more of an apple meade....YUM) or berry juice...whatever you want! we've also saved wine corks from recent wine bottles and have used that as a yeast starter replacement instead and that's worked great! whew! sorry that's all disjointed! lol. ask if you need more clarification!

cobluegirl · 10-08-2009, 09:04 PM

Iarwain · 10-09-2009, 10:38 AM

Cool! Thanks. Lots to consider. Adding cinnamon imps sounds soooo yummy! Maybe I need to start several batches just to try different things. I better find some friends to share it with if I'm going to do that!

I started it on Monday night and am already noticing a lot less gas building up in the glove. I can't wait to see the end result!

mountainash · 10-09-2009, 03:02 PM

Do you make it from homemade cider or store-bought?

I have a bunch of apples to use up.

What does hard cider taste like? Does it taste like the sparkling apple cider from the store??

mollobe · 10-09-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainash

What does hard cider taste like? Does it taste like the sparkling apple cider from the store??

Kind of, but not as sweet. Has a slight beer flavor, but it's sweeter than beer (which is why I like hard cider but not beer).

Soliloquy · 10-09-2009, 03:36 PM

Please share how it turns out!!

We can get raw apple cider here

and I've thought about letting it sit out to ferment. My dad used to do it.

I have Wild Fermentation. I'll check to see if he's got a recipe.

10-08-2009, 05:43 PM	#16
Iarwain Rose Garden Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,686	Re: hard cider anyone? This is my first attempt at home brewing but I'm really excited to try it. I'm still a little sketchy on the secondary stage (making it fizzy) and bottling. Right now I have it in a gallon jug with a latex glove for a primitive airlock ('cause that's what I had). From what I gather I'll need to add sugar and then let it go a bit longer, right? How will I know when it's done and then what about bottling? (I know I can google this but it got confusing.) I have a bunch of 16 oz bottles with screw-on caps (from store bought kombucha). I was hoping to be able to use those since I already have them but then I wasn't sure about the pressure and such. __________________ ~Iarwain Student midwife and Mama to the amazing half-dozen: Hacker - 18 The Mad Scientist - 18 Princess - 15 Lemur - 12 Noodle - 9 ... and little miss Rosebud - age 6

10-08-2009, 05:53 PM	#17
JenLovie Deactivated You win when you choose health. MWWR Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bless Your Heart Posts: 6,565	Re: hard cider anyone? Yum! I love Strongbow.

10-08-2009, 06:45 PM	#18
shirelingmum Rose Bouquet "My lips will praise You!" Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest (otherwise known as Middle Earth) Posts: 567	Re: hard cider anyone? okies! we use the glove too! basically you decide when to stop feeding it. it can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months according to your taste preference. after you rack it off (getting as much juice out of the jug without the sediment collcted @ bottm, then wash/sterilise jug and re-add the juice and a bit of yeast (champagne yeast is what we usually use, available @ any brewing shop) add about a cup of sugar (or to your taste), berry juice, or even cinnamon imperials (a certain kind of red hots) to it (we call this apple jack-makes a great spicy reddish cider that's amazing close to christmas!). you'll know it's time to feed it when it slows down or when you see little to no activity in it. the more sugar you add to feed on the longer the yeast will have to feed to process through it. basically when you bottle it (we usually use the lager bottles you can get @ ikea with the clasp/rubber top-otherwise you ca use your own bottles, just make sure you use NEW caps-either screw on or pop-tops. make sure to sterilise everything! basicaly wen it achieves the taste you like, bottle it and either shelf it (which will age it and give it a more dry flavour over time) or fridge it (which will essentially "stop" it and give it more of an "effervescence" or fizz you're looking for. they also have tablets you can add (also can be purchased from a home brewing shop) to help if you want more fizzies also, the more sugar you add the stronger the alcohol content over time when it's been feeding.-just remember, if you give it more sugar than the yeast can feed on, it can kill it too so start out gradually! use raw, brown, sucanat, honey (for more of an apple meade....YUM) or berry juice...whatever you want! we've also saved wine corks from recent wine bottles and have used that as a yeast starter replacement instead and that's worked great! whew! sorry that's all disjointed! lol. ask if you need more clarification! __________________ Quirky hobbitwife to her bearded love since 2006 Mummy to 4 hobbitses and one little one born to heaven 9/23/10

10-08-2009, 09:04 PM	#19
cobluegirl Rose Garden never be afraid of who you were meant to be Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 43,819	Re: hard cider anyone? __________________ T4/1 ISTJ Enneagram 9 Ds-T4/2 Dd1-T1/4 Dd2-T2/1 The greatest challenge for most of us is believing that we are worthy now, right this minute. Worthiness doesn't have prerequisites. ~Brene Brown "The Gifts of Imperfection"[/CENTER]

10-09-2009, 10:38 AM	#20
Iarwain Rose Garden Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,686	Re: hard cider anyone? Cool! Thanks. Lots to consider. Adding cinnamon imps sounds soooo yummy! Maybe I need to start several batches just to try different things. I better find some friends to share it with if I'm going to do that! I started it on Monday night and am already noticing a lot less gas building up in the glove. I can't wait to see the end result! __________________ ~Iarwain Student midwife and Mama to the amazing half-dozen: Hacker - 18 The Mad Scientist - 18 Princess - 15 Lemur - 12 Noodle - 9 ... and little miss Rosebud - age 6

10-09-2009, 03:02 PM	#21
mountainash Rose Garden Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Northwest of Orlando. Posts: 6,732	Re: hard cider anyone? Do you make it from homemade cider or store-bought? I have a bunch of apples to use up. What does hard cider taste like? Does it taste like the sparkling apple cider from the store??

10-09-2009, 03:36 PM	#23
Soliloquy Rose Garden Why climb a mountain? Because it's there! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Selkirk Mountains Posts: 52,860	Re: hard cider anyone? Please share how it turns out!! We can get raw apple cider here and I've thought about letting it sit out to ferment. My dad used to do it. I have Wild Fermentation. I'll check to see if he's got a recipe.

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