Apple/pearcider - First time, need advice

[osteper]

Hello everyone!

I'm going to brew my very first cider. As of previous experience I've set 1 batch of beer before, and it turned out successfull.

I'm going to buy some juice, and mix it up with sugar and yeast. (Doh, ofcourse...)

Now the question is, what kind of yeast should I use? And how much sugar?
I want it at about 4.5% alc. I also want a very sweet cider, like Kopparberg.

All tips are appreciated!

 

[kesslerr1]

I would use a "clean" ale yeast US-05, 1056 WLP-001 etc if I where you These will keep a good flavor without adding crazy esters or drying out your cider to much. if your looking for 4.5% you don't need to add any sugar. straight up store bought apple juice should give you 4-4.5 abv.

:beard:

 

[osteper]

I would use a "clean" ale yeast US-05, 1056 WLP-001 etc if I where you These will keep a good flavor without adding crazy esters or drying out your cider to much. if your looking for 4.5% you don't need to add any sugar. straight up store bought apple juice should give you 4-4.5 abv.

:beard:

Well that sounds easy! About what OG does store-bought applejuice have? I'm afraid the cider might end up too dry for my taste without force-stopping the fermentation. But how will I then bottle-carbonate the cider with dead yeast, if I kill the yeast? (Kegging is not an option)

 

[pricelessbrewing]

Check out the pinned thread about stovetop pasteurization. Basically let it finish dry, add some sugar/juice concentrate. Bottle, wait a bit, then put in hot water for a bit to kill the yeast. Sweetened, 4.5-5% abv, carbed cider.

Typical og is about 1.05

 

[kesslerr1]

As for OG of just cider that depends on the juice, but someone correct me if I'm wrong a lot if not most store bought runs at 1045-1050 maybe a little higher depending on the brand.

I would also look at using Safale S-04 as it will leave a good fruity flavor in your cider where as the other yeasts I mentioned will leave a crisper plainer flavor, which isn't a bad thing you just have to decide what you like.

For sweetness you could back sweeten check out northern brewers cider episode on youtube episode 67 and check out craig tubes home brew wednesday on youtube #23 - back sweetening

:beard: