Before I begin, yes, I've searched.
There's so much info on this site it's very difficult for me to sort it all out.
It's really mind-numbing how much great info is here!!! :rockin:
I bought a kit from my local homebrew supply, yada, yada, yada...
I sterilized everything and made my starter with a Lalvin 1116 (IIRC) according to instructions.
5gal of AJ and 5lbs of orange blossom honey (mixed over heat and allowed to cool) later I'm in business!
SG before tossing in the yeast was at 1.085ish for a target ABV of about 10-11%.
I'm now on day one and things are bubbling away nicely. ;P
Well, onto the newbie questions...
1) How long should I wait until I rack into secondary?
Wait until bubbling slows and SG is down to around 1.01 or, is there a specific number of days/weeks I should be waiting?
2) Once in secondary, I'm thinking about adding a few vanilla beans for some flavor. Yay or nay?
Any recommendations on additional ingredients?
3) I'm wanting my cider/cyser/mead/whatever to have little/no carbonation.
Would I do well to flash boil the lot prior to back sweetening to taste and bottling?
What I'm ultimately looking for is a still drink with little bitterness that will go down very smooth.
I'm looking for something that will tend to sneak up on you if you're not careful, ya know?
So umm, did I do OK popping my cherry?
Thanks in advance for the info!
There's so much info on this site it's very difficult for me to sort it all out.
It's really mind-numbing how much great info is here!!! :rockin:
I bought a kit from my local homebrew supply, yada, yada, yada...
I sterilized everything and made my starter with a Lalvin 1116 (IIRC) according to instructions.
5gal of AJ and 5lbs of orange blossom honey (mixed over heat and allowed to cool) later I'm in business!
SG before tossing in the yeast was at 1.085ish for a target ABV of about 10-11%.
I'm now on day one and things are bubbling away nicely. ;P
Well, onto the newbie questions...
1) How long should I wait until I rack into secondary?
Wait until bubbling slows and SG is down to around 1.01 or, is there a specific number of days/weeks I should be waiting?
2) Once in secondary, I'm thinking about adding a few vanilla beans for some flavor. Yay or nay?
Any recommendations on additional ingredients?
3) I'm wanting my cider/cyser/mead/whatever to have little/no carbonation.
Would I do well to flash boil the lot prior to back sweetening to taste and bottling?
What I'm ultimately looking for is a still drink with little bitterness that will go down very smooth.
I'm looking for something that will tend to sneak up on you if you're not careful, ya know?
So umm, did I do OK popping my cherry?
Thanks in advance for the info!