1st 5 Gallon Hard Cider

[Ripley19]

5 G - (Abbot Farms) sweet cider, UV past.
OG - 1.050
Yeast nutrient
Pectic Enzyme
1 pack of Safale S-04

 

[bmd2k1]

Good luck....looks great! Dig the dark color.

 

[Ripley19]

Good luck....looks great! Dig the dark color.

I wanted to try it straight up with no added sugar or additional sweetener. I’ve heard good things about Safale S-04 retaining the apple taste and aroma.

 

[bmd2k1]

I just started my 1st batch this past Friday....there's a post 4 it. Just AJ & yeast (Wyeast1272 American Ale II)....fermentation humming right along

 

[bmd2k1]

...and just bought some S04 for my next batch

 

[Ripley19]

I just started my 1st batch this past Friday....there's a post 4 it. Just AJ & yeast (Wyeast1272 American Ale II)....fermentation humming right along

I have 3 - 1 gallon batches going at the moment as well. All different yeasts and different juices.

 

[bmd2k1]

Very cool. My plan is to ferment couple weeks..then rack into gal jugs 4 secondary fermenting & customizing... Cinnamon...tart cherry concentrate...blueberry concentrate.....then bottle 'em.

 

[Ripley19]

Very cool. My plan is to ferment couple weeks..then rack into gal jugs 4 secondary fermenting & customizing... Cinnamon...tart cherry concentrate...blueberry concentrate.....then bottle 'em.

Kinda had a similar plan I’m going to bulk rack in a 5 gallon carboy. I plan on letting it sit in secondary for a month and then rack off 2-3 gallons into gallon jugs for different flavor combos. One of my current gallons is 3/4 cider and 1/4 organic pear juice.

 

[bmd2k1]

What other yeasts are ya using?

 

[Ripley19]

What other yeasts are ya using?

Red Star Premier Cuvée, Lalvin EC-1118 and Lalvin D47.

 

[bmd2k1]

Do u pinch the entire pak dry yeast into a gallon batch?

 

[Ripley19]

Do u pinch the entire pak dry yeast into a gallon batch?

The first batch I pitched the entire 5 g packet bra cause I didn’t know any better and that is what the kit instructions said. I did on the 2nd batch also and I tried to measure out on the 3rd batch 1/4 tsp + 1/2 of 1/4 tsp it didn’t take off for 2 Days and I was worried. So I just aerated and pitched the rest. It ended up taking of like gangbusters later that day.

 

[millsbrew]

I just kegged a batch. I de-gassed for the first few days and fermentation seemed to clean up quicker. Used WLP013 (London) for the first time, will report back with results.

 

[johnnyseko]

Nice! I just got some S-04, S-33 & Lalvin 71B. I still want to get some Safcider. I'll grab 4 gallons from the orchard and do 4 - 1 gallon batches and see how each plays out. No additions. Just juice and yeast.

 

[bmd2k1]

What's involved with "de-gassing"?

 

[bmd2k1]

How long ya gonna primary ferment the 5gal? What are ur secondary and bottling/kegging plans?

 

[Ripley19]

How long ya gonna primary ferment the 5gal? What are ur secondary and bottling/kegging plans?

I’m in no hurry with this batch I figure a couple weeks maybe 1 month. It’s still pretty active 4 days in and is beginning to lighten up. I’m going to siphon into a 5 gallon carboy and let it sit for another couple weeks to a month. At that point I may siphon off 2 gallons to add some fruit flavors, haven’t decided what yet. I’m getting ready to bottle my first gallon either today or tomorrow.

 

[millsbrew]

What's involved with "de-gassing"?

Simply and lightly rocking carboy back and forth during initial stages of fermentation. Once I see signs of life, I'll rock it every 12hrs for 2-3 days until activity slows. This gets co2 out and allows some O2 back into suspension, which in theory would help yeast during this stage. I do it for my high OG beers now as well. It's early enough in the ferment that I am not worried about excess O2.

Edit* - also, really liked WLP013. Came out nice and dry, so I decided to back-sweetened in the keg. I still get some esters from the yeast, and it's dangerously easy to drink for 6.5%.

 

[Ripley19]

The cider is clearing up pretty good.