Man, I love Apfelwein - Page 656

patrick767 · 05-27-2010, 02:29 AM

This step in the recipe surprised me: "Open the packet of Montrachet Yeast and pour it into the neck of the funnel."

No need to rehydrate the yeast?

And thanks, Recluse. My juice is 26g of sugar and 30g of total carbs per serving. Should be fine.

Recluse · 05-27-2010, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrick767

This step in the recipe surprised me: "Open the packet of Montrachet Yeast and pour it into the neck of the funnel."

No need to rehydrate the yeast?

And thanks, Recluse. My juice is 26g of sugar and 30g of total carbs per serving. Should be fine.

Yeah that surprised me too. On one batch I sprinkled it in. On another I didn't rehydrate, but dissolved it right into some apple juice. Both came out fine. The most recent batch I used EC-1118 and rehydrated it just because I always have with this yeast.... Seems like it took off and went just fine..but have to wait a few weeks for the first gravity sample. Still very cloudy.

newbrew77 · 05-28-2010, 05:57 PM

I bought RJ Spagnols wine conditioner to backsweeten my apfelwein. How much should I use and when should I add it to the wine? I have a 6 gallon batch going and its been in the carboy for a month.

DarthBeer · 05-29-2010, 04:20 PM

I just started the first batch of Apfelwein last week. It's got a long time to go, but wondering what might be used in the end to give it a sour apple taste similar to Hornsbys. I'm not sure what it will end up tasting like, but thinking ahead.

LoneTreeFarms · 05-30-2010, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbrew77

I bought RJ Spagnols wine conditioner to backsweeten my apfelwein. How much should I use and when should I add it to the wine? I have a 6 gallon batch going and its been in the carboy for a month.

The original recipe calls for 2-4 oz per gallon, i'd start at the low end and sweeten to taste you can always add more if needed

Daddymem · 05-30-2010, 07:21 PM

My buddy did up a batch of this before he headed over to Afghanistan. He just bottled it. His wife likes it, he thinks it is a bit too dry, he many try lactose next time. But the idea here is that you can let it sit in primary for a very long time. Here is what he did:

5 gallons Tree Top Apple juice
Lalvin K1-1116 yeast
2 lbs dextrose

Sat in a 5 gallon glass carboy for a year. neighbor kept the fermentation lock filled with vodka. Not much temperature control. probably ranged from 55-85 throughout the year.

Starting SG 1.059 corrected
Bottled at SG .998 corrected
Used table sugar to bottle.

shadohman · 05-30-2010, 11:04 PM

I have made three batches, all have been similar to Hornsbys Crisp Apple Hard Cider, but a little drier and I think a more sour taste. I have been using the cheapest juice I can find which might make a difference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthBeer

wondering what might be used in the end to give it a sour apple taste similar to Hornsbys.

ThreeTaps · 05-30-2010, 11:44 PM

I started a 5 gal batch in September, and didn't even bottle it until 1.5 months ago (about 7 months in primary). I didn't even have my first taste until last month, which tasted great. I'm going to have another bottle tonight to see how it is after almost 9 months. This is a great "set it and forget it" drink, and I can't wait until it starts getting hot again here in San Diego to enjoy it on the weekends!

CarbonatedColon · 05-31-2010, 12:11 AM

Exactly 4 weeks in the carboy as of yesterday. I cant wait any longer so I bottled it and primed with 4cups of the same apple juice, 2 cups water and 190g of dextrose.

I also poured a glass for myself and let it chill overnight in the fridge. Wow! its amazing already. I do not find this too dry like a lot of people say? Maybe it will get drier in the bottle? Maybe the sweetness im tasting is from the priming sugars?

The first post says this stuff really hits its stride at 6 months. I guarantee it wont last that long... not even close.

I should have took Edworts advice and started a second batch 2 weeks later... well I guess im off to buy some more apple juice!

klcramer · 05-31-2010, 01:05 AM

OMG! am I glad I started a second batch two weeks after the first. The first batch has been in the bottle about a week and has a nice light carbonation. Sprinkled with some ground cinnamon and this has the head retention of an awesome beer and the flavor I can best describe as the holidays.