Cider very bitter

[raubrey227]

Hey. This is my first time brewing cider. I fermented it for three weeks, then moved it to a secondary about 5 days ago. I took a sample to measure the brix (I have a refractometer). It's at about 7.2% ABV. I tasted the sample since it would go to waste anyway, and it was very bitter and dry. I don't think it turned to vinegar, but the flavor is definitely off. Any suggestions?

 

[cuttsjp]

Either let it age for a very long time or backsweeten it with some apple juice or sugar and cold crash it to stop fermentation

 

[cuttsjp]

Also check out EdWort's Apfelwein thread. This guy really knows his stuff when it comes to this:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f25/man-i-love-apfelwein-14860/

 

[oldmate]

Leave it alone for 3 months, then try it.

 

[twistedinfo]

drink 3 glasses before deciding you don't like it. My first batch of cider was very dry, but after drinking a few glasses I decided that it wasn't half bad.

 

[commonsenseman]

I like almost anything after three glasses..........except my first cider

Seriously though, if you post up your recipe/process I'm sure you'll be able to get some advice on here. Otherwise, as oldmate said, time is always your friend. Leave it for a few months, then have three glasses & let us know what you think. From what I've read, cider can take a long time to mellow to the point where it actually tastes good.