Help with cider?!
Answers: I want to start making hard cider but I'm not given enough information and I can't find exceptional recipes. Are there any tips someone could give me? I'd like some help.
There are 2 routes to go with hard cider. The first is fresh pressed apple cider, and the second is using store bought apple juice. I use both methods to make my commercial cider.
Either route you go, you will want to pick up a winemaking starter kit from a homebrew shop. If you can't find a local shop, I recommend http://www.midwestsupplies.com or http://www.northernbrewer.com. The 'starter kit' will include all of the equipment you need to start making 5 gallon batches.
If you are using fresh apples, you will also need a grinder and a press. You will want to make sure the apples you use are in good condition, don't use any rotten or bruised apples or apples that have already fallen to the ground.
The first step is to sanitize all equipment that comes in contact with your cider. I recommend StarSan, as it sanitizes in 30 seconds, and is a 'no rinse' compound. You will then grind and press your apples, then add capmden tablets to the fresh pressed juice (one tablet per gallon). Let this sit 24 hours, then pitch your yeast. I use Red Star Cote de Blanc wine yeast for my cider, but there are several options available. Once the yeast is pitched, fermentation will start in 24-72 hours normally. Let primary fermentation continue for a couple weeks or a month until fermentation slows, then rack to secondary. Let sit in secondary for another month or two until clear enough to read a newspaper through the carboy. Then rack again and let the cider bulk age for another 3-12 months for malo-lactic fermentation to take place. Then bottle.
If you decide to use store bought apple juice, make sure that it is 100% juice with no preservatives or additive (Ascorbic Acid is okay, but nothing else).
If you use only juice and yeast, your finished product will be about 5 or 6% ABV depending on the variety of apples, etc. You can add some sugar to this if you wish to increase your ABV. 1 pound of dextrose (corn sugar) will increase a 5 gallon batch approx. 1% ABV.
If you are serious about this venture, I would recommend you check out http://www.homebrewtalk.com, there is an entire forum there dedicated to cider, and a very good recipe for Apfelwein (using store bought juice). I can also recommend a couple very good books if you want. Feel free to email me if you have any further questions.
I am out of it now!!
but I bought a book..
Sweet & Hard Cider
I bought most of my equipment at
http://www.thebeveragepeople.com
I think it is too late this year
but wise of you start looking
don't forgrt the library
Tips
clean everything use boiling water to flush
get the best equipment..
accept no fruit off the ground unless you drop it
check your neighbors trees for possiable free fruit
keep a diary
some recyclers will give you some bottles that have pry-off caps - -the best for home use..OH yes
http://www.samualadams.com