Been lurking for quite a while and cant say enough about the information available here for cider. This is a great site........
Currently have 2 - 30 gal batches going. (30gal Food grade plastic drums)
Both batches are Granny smith, Red Delicious, and McGowan apples.
1st barrel has 25lbs natural brown sugar, 5lbs maple sugar, 3lb raisins, Lavin 1118 yeast, and yeast energizer. Starting sg 1.085 on 10/18/08
2nd barrel has 1 gallon grade b maple syrup, 1 quart molasses, 3lb raisins, and yeast energizer. Starting sg 1.075 0n 10/18/08
Both of these barrels were fresh pressed cider right from an orchard in central mass. They have been sitting in my basement quietly bubbling away... as of last friday:
Barrel 1 hydro reading 1.02
Barrel 2 hydro reading 1.04 Bubbling has slowed down quite a bit.
The extra cider taken out of the two barrels to add the surgar and other goodies was put into a 5 gallon carboy with 4lb naural very dark brown sugar, 1 pint molasses, 1lb raisins. No added yeast or energizer. sg 1.077, at 75f, for 4 months fg 1.0. Cold crashed for 5 days outside at about 25f. sadly it did not last long enough bottle any to save for later.
Also just finished up a batch of Apfelwein/cyser.
4.5 gal store bought apple juice, 2lb brown sugar (stop and shop), 3lb natural clover honey, 1lb raisins, sg 1.085, kept at 75+f for 5 weeks, fg 1.02, cold crashed. Had mild vinegar after taste. it is now sitting for a while aging, might add some oak chips...
Will take some pics and post them soon.
Did have some question.
Has anyone here tried to make a cider using raw sugar cane chiped or choped up? Thought that might be cheap and kind of interesting to try..
Also has anyone made iced cider?
Many Thanks...
Currently have 2 - 30 gal batches going. (30gal Food grade plastic drums)
Both batches are Granny smith, Red Delicious, and McGowan apples.
1st barrel has 25lbs natural brown sugar, 5lbs maple sugar, 3lb raisins, Lavin 1118 yeast, and yeast energizer. Starting sg 1.085 on 10/18/08
2nd barrel has 1 gallon grade b maple syrup, 1 quart molasses, 3lb raisins, and yeast energizer. Starting sg 1.075 0n 10/18/08
Both of these barrels were fresh pressed cider right from an orchard in central mass. They have been sitting in my basement quietly bubbling away... as of last friday:
Barrel 1 hydro reading 1.02
Barrel 2 hydro reading 1.04 Bubbling has slowed down quite a bit.
The extra cider taken out of the two barrels to add the surgar and other goodies was put into a 5 gallon carboy with 4lb naural very dark brown sugar, 1 pint molasses, 1lb raisins. No added yeast or energizer. sg 1.077, at 75f, for 4 months fg 1.0. Cold crashed for 5 days outside at about 25f. sadly it did not last long enough bottle any to save for later.
Also just finished up a batch of Apfelwein/cyser.
4.5 gal store bought apple juice, 2lb brown sugar (stop and shop), 3lb natural clover honey, 1lb raisins, sg 1.085, kept at 75+f for 5 weeks, fg 1.02, cold crashed. Had mild vinegar after taste. it is now sitting for a while aging, might add some oak chips...
Will take some pics and post them soon.
Did have some question.
Has anyone here tried to make a cider using raw sugar cane chiped or choped up? Thought that might be cheap and kind of interesting to try..
Also has anyone made iced cider?
Many Thanks...