Newb question

I made a "cider" from some plum spice tea, sugar and champagne yeast and it didn't taste good at all, it was also still sweet from the sugar. So I decided to do just a sugar water yeast and then flavor it with some concentrated tea after. The sugar mash has been fermenting for about 14 days and there are still bubbles coming up, not a lot but they are visible. I have a balloon as my airlock and it is no longer fully inflated. I am just wondering when will this be done? how can I tell? I don't want any sugar left at the end.
Thanks!

Dude, you're making pruno. Just stop, and go get some juice.

DoubleD said:

Dude, you're making pruno. Just stop, and go get some juice.

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I have some apple juice fermenting right now I just wanted to try something different. What is pruno?

never mind, I just looked up pruno and as far as I can tell what I am making is not it.

what are you in for?

dinnerstick said:

what are you in for?

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ROFLMAO!


Cheers

HW

...still chuckling

good one! but that doesn't help with my questions

Fabs4000 said:

good one! but that doesn't help with my questions

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When you admit to making what basiclly amounts to "prison hooch," you can't expect to be taken too seriously around here. You could try mixing your tea with various amounts of a vodka/water mix & probably get something that tastes better. If you really want to ferment tea, try this forum: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f167/

If you want to experiment with fermenting just the sugar/water, have a look here: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f12/20-lb-sugar-jar-yeast-nutrient-114837/

Either way, if you really want to get into cider/winemaking/brewing, you'll need a hydrometer, it's the only way to tell for certain when it's done & you'll need to know how to use it: http://www.grapestompers.com/hydrometer_use.asp

While you don't have to give up using a balloon, you'll be better off by using an airlock; it's a better system than a balloon & doesn't have the stigma of "hillbilly" or "prison hooch" type equipment.

At some point you'll want/need to read up on the subject(s) & there are several books for that. How to Brew: http://www.howtobrew.com/

Or The Complete Joy of Homebrwing: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0060531053/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Or The Joy of Home Winemaking: http://www.joyofwine.net/book.htm

Or for cider: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1580175201/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I'm NOT trying to suck all the fun out of it for you, I'm just trying to point you in the right direction(s) to both get your questions answered & help you learn more about this great hobby. Regards, GF.

great thanks!!