Hard cider,

I have just attempted my first hard cider. How long will a 5 gallon batch take?
Unpasterized cider
4 pounds white sugar
4 pounds brown sugar
Lavlin kv 1116 yeast
Thanks for any suggestions.

 

you're gonna need at least a year to age that rocket fuel of yours

 

I would agree with the above statement. In addition, every time I used only brown sugar or only plain table sugar in a cider the batches came out tasting way too hoochy. Also, I highly suggest using an ale yeast such as Nottingham, or even a cider yeast. I would read, re-read, and refine many recipes into something you are pleased with and even make other people's recipes first, then experiment on your own. This saves money and avoids disappointment. Is this your first brew?

Try looking at some of these great cider recipes from the recipe section. :

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f81/edworts-apfelwein-33986/

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f81/caramel-apple-cider-235368/

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f81/graff-malty-slightly-hopped-cider-117117/

 

My first hard cider.

 

I am also looking to try some cider recipe. I have been brewing for a few years now and actually am out of room in my carboys, however opportunity knocked and I picked up fresh pure cider from an apple orchard and have an old Mr. Beer fermenter I want to use. (I am glad I kept it!). I checked out all of the above links and they brought me to the HBT homepage. I have no idea what makes a good cider in terms of yeast and adding sugars. I have 2 gallons. I am looking for suggestions for this small batch with yeast amounts, sugar amounts and type (table vs. brown), length of fermentation, etc... I do not want it to be a sparkling apple wine (Crispin sucks). Any suggestions?

 

I'm a cider noob too, but this thread below is a wealth of knowledge.

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f32/results-juice-yeast-sugar-experiments-83060/