Recent content by Schmaffy

5 Irish Stout 5 Pomberry Cyser 5 Wheaten Saison 5 Pumpkin/Orange/Chocolate Ale 5 Winter Saison +25 = 41,830

Congrats! I got a first place for my cider. :)

A little update - I bottled this cider after about 4 weeks in the carboy, backsweetened with some sugar-free mio drops and added some blueberry extract for aroma. I managed to keep it in the bottle for about 3 weeks before I cracked one open (and no bottle bombs!). I thought it was pretty good...

I'm fermenting my first cider right now (apple juice, blueberry/pomegranate juice, and honey). Primary fermentation started exactly 3 weeks ago, and my OG was 1.080. I tested today for the first time, and the SG is 1.005. I'm still getting a bubble in the airlock about every 12 seconds, but I...

I have Type 2 diabetes, and although beer (and some liquor) does not affect my blood sugar too badly, I tend to stay away from hard ciders and other "sugary" drinks. Of course, I'm brewing a hard cider of my own right now, haha. But my question is - even though I'm basically fermenting a...

Haha, I had the next one going two days after I bottled this one. It's a pomegranate/blueberry cyser. It's been bubbling away happily ever since. Although, since I'm doing the cyser in a carboy, my fermenting bucket is currently empty. Hmmmm...may have to pick up another kit this weekend -...

I left it in the primary for exactly three weeks, testing the gravity weekly. I did not rack to a secondary. As I'm sure you'll hear from many here (if you haven't already), airlock activity is not an accurate indication of fermentation. The most accurate indication is a gravity reading...

Yes, the Irish Stout kit from Brewer's Best. Thanks to you guys, I knew which of their directions to ignore. ;)

So, it's been a week since I bottled...so of course I HAD to open one - you know, to make sure carbonation was occurring properly. Popped the top and got a hiss...good sign - poured into glass and got a good head...better sign - took a sip, and OH MAN - it's beer! Tastes like beer, feels like...

Looks great, I'd love to try it. When/how did you add the coffee beans and vanilla?

Well, it's been 24 hours - hopefully this is on the right track!

I just bottled my first brew on Wednesday. It almost killed me to leave it for 3 weeks in the fermenter, but I did it. So of course I'm now starting my next brew: a blueberry/pomegranate cyser pitched on the yeast cake from the beer. And it has to sit for SIX weeks. And I can't possibly...

Yes, this is a sugar-free product. I'm undecided about whether or not I want to attempt to carb or not. I think if after six weeks I'm happy with the taste, etc. - I may just bottle as is. If not, maybe I'll try to carb and stovetop pasteurize. Either way, you've been a lot of help and...

OK, so alternatively - could I mix the yeast, apple juice, blueberry/pomegranate juice and honey all at once, let it ferment out completely, and then back sweeten with this?

Thanks! I'm still a little unclear on a couple points, though. Is it better to add the blueberry/pomegranate juice during fermentation or during bottling? I'm not after a really sweet cider, but I don't want it to be completely dry either. Should I add the flavored juice right away, and...