2nd hard cider

[TwistedGray]

@ .996 and tastes disgusting. I chilled overnight and will taste again. Waiting definitely isn't improving it.

What does mean by "disgusting" tasting? Maybe some more descriptive text will help up better identify what may have went wrong : )

 

[Woodknack]

What does mean by "disgusting" tasting? Maybe some more descriptive text will help up better identify what may have went wrong : )

I can't describe the flavor because I've never tasted or smelled anything like it. It's not like apples, vinegar, sour, or alcohol, it's just unpleasant. I haven't tasted after chilling yet.

 

[Blacksmith1]

Mine tend to be "off" in a way I can't describe some times. I have found that time fixes them quite nicely. And I don't mean a day or a week. I let them sit and bulk age for 4 months.

 

[S-Met]

Definitely smells like alcohol and the flavor is yeasty & harsh compared to day 8

Remember this flavor, its suspended yeast. Only one "fix" - Time. Not days, but weeks.
There is a big misconception regarding fermentation time. While technically fermentation is "done" sometimes as fast as 2-3 days meaning it has reached FG, it does not mean its ready to drink. Yeast remains in suspension for some time and contributes to a very different flavor.

@ .996 and tastes disgusting. I chilled overnight and will taste again. Waiting definitely isn't improving it.

Realize that you have only waited a few days. This needs weeks.

I have found that time fixes them quite nicely. And I don't mean a day or a week. I let them sit and bulk age for 4 months.

This!
Not day, but weeks, months. Sometimes years depending, but most ciders fall into weeks. While you can certainly drink it sooner, your patience will be greatly rewarded.

 

[TwistedGray]

And I am going to fall back and beat the dead horse - @Woodknack switch over to cider yeast (SafCider is good) for a gallon batch and compare the that batch to the same timelines as this one. My expectation is that you will convert to SafCider (or similar) for all future batches.

 

[Sequoiacider]

It sounds like you haven't tried carbonating the cider yet. I have found ciders that are not palatable when Still(uncarbonated) often times, though not always, improve significantly once they are bottle-conditioned for carbonation. This is most likely a combination of mellowing through time (I give a minimum of three weeks bottle conditioning time), the fact that carbonation affects the mouthfeel, the way the bubbles interact with your taste buds, and the fact that carbonation also lowers the pH of the cider.
Think about how a carbonated Beer or Soda is good, but you wouldn't want to drink a flat beer or soda. The same often applies to Cider as well.

 

[Woodknack]

I'm going to bottle and tuck it away somewhere and forget about it. Maybe someday it will taste better than lantern fuel.

 

[TwistedGray]

I'm going to bottle and tuck it away somewhere and forget about it. Maybe someday it will taste better than lantern fuel.

Ah, so it does have a taste, lol. Just getting my jabs in

 

[S-Met]

Think about how a carbonated Beer or Soda is good, but you wouldn't want to drink a flat beer

Depending upon the beer... I've drank a few flat beers.

 

[Woodknack]

This isn't beer, it's cider, which is more like a sparkling wine. And I think the bad taste is yeast. I'll try another yeast and see how it goes.

 

[Sequoiacider]

This isn't beer, it's cider, which is more like a sparkling wine. And I think the bad taste is yeast. I'll try another yeast and see how it goes.

Really? You are talking about cider? In the cider forum? What a shocker. Good thing you pointed that out, or we wouldn't have realized it.

Seriously though, the problem isn't the yeast. I've seen many ciders using Nottingham turn out great. I think part of your problem was your addition of cinnamon, and raisins. If cinnamon is used, it should be added in secondary or at serving. Raisins are a beer brewing trick, not for cider.

 

[S-Met]

Not a guarantee, but let it sit a few weeks and seewhat settles out. I'd put my bet on suspended yeast.

Its sounding a little broken record, but time heals all brews.

 

[Seamonkey84]

Give it time, as with most biological hobbies (aquariums, gardening, beekeeping), only bad things happen quickly.

 

[Blacksmith1]

If it's the yeast the bad taste will fade. If it's not the yeast, you made a mistake somewhere in your protocol

 

[Woodknack]

Really? You are talking about cider? In the cider forum? What a shocker. Good thing you pointed that out, or we wouldn't have realized it.
.

You brought up beer so don't get your panties in a bunch.

 

[Sequoiacider]

I brought up beer in a statement where I was taking about carbonating your cider and I used examples of other carbonated beverages. Was that really hard to grasp?

 

[dmtaylor]

This thread sucks. Unwatch Thread.

 

[Woodknack]

I brought up beer in a statement where I was taking about carbonating your cider and I used examples of other carbonated beverages. Was that really hard to grasp?

No it was easy to grasp, but the bad flavor isn't absence of carbonation. I might be new at this but I recognize the difference between fermented fruit juice and beer, and people drink flat fermented fruit juice all the time.

 

[TwistedGray]

No it was easy to grasp, but the bad flavor isn't absence of carbonation. I might be new at this but I recognize the difference between fermented fruit juice and beer, and people drink flat fermented fruit juice all the time.

Yah; they're in jail, lol.

 

[Woodknack]

I agree, this thread sucks.