1st Batch Ice Cider underway

[bmd2k1]

After reading all I could here & on the web....I've fired up my very first batch of Ice Cider --- "cheaters" method.

1Gal glass carboy
(5) 12oz cans Old Orchard 100% FAJC
Topped off w/Sam's 100% AJ
OG - 1.12
Pinched 1/2 (11.5g)pack S-04 yeast
Aerated and capped with airlock
Current ambient room temp 66F

Noticeable fermentation within 2hrs.

So the journey begins...

 

[Maylar]

S-04 is gonna stink (literally) without yeast nutrients.

 

[MarkKF]

I tried one last year. Twice as much FAJC and half as much water. When it got to 1.020 I packed it with ice to stop and clear. I used 71b-1122 and it turned out great. Just less sweet than I hoped.

 

[bmd2k1]

Will keep ya posted as this adventure plays itself out. Trying to keep room temp in middle of S-04s happy range - been holding steady at 64F.

One question I've got...when doing smaller 1gal batches...do peeps test the SG right in the carboy? Small volume to be pouring a bit out each time for testing....like I did with my just finished 5.5gal batch.

 

[MarkKF]

I do it in a test tube or wine thief.

 

[bmd2k1]

2days in...fermentation churning along nicely...and no off odors yet.

 

[Maylar]

I'm gonna say this again - S-04 is a nutrient pig. If you don't add nutrients you WILL get H2S04 (rhino farts).

 

[bmd2k1]

I'm gonna say this again - S-04 is a nutrient pig. If you don't add nutrients you WILL get H2S04 (rhino farts).

How much should be added to a gal? Timing?

 

[bmd2k1]

Day3 look-see...Lotsa fluffy lees

 

[MarkKF]

That is lots. Nutrients are usually up to 1 tsp. per gal.

 

[bmd2k1]

I was thinking same thing...but as a newbie...still learning the ropes. My just finished 5+ gal batch of regular cider using Wyeast1272 seemed to have less than this 1gal..though they were much denser/packed.

Does anything(s) tend to cause excess lees? ie) too much yeast for batch size, etc

 

[Maylar]

The lees in cider is more than just yeast, there's also apple pectin in there. I think the amount of lees we get depends on the source of the juice and the apples that went into it as much as anything else. But the yeast does matter, I've noticed more lees with S-04 than with Nottingham for instance.

 

[bernardsmith]

too much yeast for batch size, etc

I don't think that you can over-pitch yeast. We all tend to under-pitch and wonder why the yeast is so stressed (relatively speaking). One pack per gallon is closer to optimum than 1 pack per five gallons...

 

[bmd2k1]

Day7

Airlock bubble every 5-7secs...significantly less lees eruptions...was akin to lava bed activity early on... No noticeable off odors.

 

[bmd2k1]

Day7

SG - 1.036

Which is ~ 11% ABV. Sounds like time to cold crash & rack this puppy.

S-04 has been busy...wonder what its alcohol tolerance is?

 

[bmd2k1]

Decided to rack it to secondary....boy I suck at siphoning...lol. (Guess that's why I dig the spigot Speidel)

Anyhow...tried a bit...gotta don't ya...lol. Great appley aroma...not much of yeasty smell...kinda surprised given its only been a week. Tasted appley...relatively smooth on tongue...sweet apply taste...no harsh alcohol taste...seemed a bit "thicker" than regular cider.

So what to do now...let it continue to ferment in secondary or toss in fridge to age for awhile. Hmmmm...

 

[bmd2k1]

Color was nice amber hue...bit hazy still but not too bad...as kinda expected

 

[MarkKF]

Day7

SG - 1.036

Which is ~ 11% ABV. Sounds like time to cold crash & rack this puppy.

S-04 has been busy...wonder what its alcohol tolerance is?[\QUOTE]

I’ve heard 12-14%

 

[bmd2k1]

At this point, after 1st racking there is no noticeable fermentation activity (bubbles...) So will take another SG in few days... Also moved into bit colder area of basement. Never did notice any off odors produced by S-04 whilst in primary.

 

[bmd2k1]

Getting an airlock bubble every 1min+....so some activity going on. Will rack it again in next few days.

 

[AMessenger]

For some extra insurance against fermentation restarting you might consider dosing it with campden tablets and cold crashing.

 

[Ripley19]

I used S-04 in my first 5 gallon batch I let it go 3 weeks in primary. I was left with a ton of lees afterwards, it fermented out to 1.000. I think all the yeast dropped out of suspension, I racked into secondary and topped off with diluted FAJC steeped with Earl Grey tea bags. It’s been 1 1/2 weeks and not a bubble has come back.

 

[MarkKF]

For some extra insurance against fermentation restarting you might consider dosing it with campden tablets and cold crashing.

Camden might stop fermentation for a short time but it won’t prevent restart. Cold crashing together with racking or filtering might. But it’s not a sure thing.

 

[bmd2k1]

At 2weeks SG is 1.034...dropped only .002 in a week.

...and I've not added anything

So gonna hold off on a 2nd racking...at least for now....and let it age as is.

 

[bmd2k1]

3weeks....at 1.033

Small chilled sample was awesome...smooth, great sweetness, appley with hint of cinnamon. Had tossed a cinnamon stick in a week ago [emoji12]

Not sure when I'm going to bottle...

 

[Hush]

Went old school and froze 5 gallons in this beauty Chicago weather. Will start defrost extraction this weekend!