Appreciate your feedback on my first time cider plan

[JamesB]

Hi everyone,

Experienced homebrewer here, but noob cider maker. I want to make a batch of cider for the holidays (too soon I know), and I've learned a lot by reading the forums. I'm going to keg, and would like a not-too-dry sparkling apple cider. I'm a list guy, so here's what I came up with as a simple cider plan. I'd appreciate your feedback on what I might be missing.

1. Dump 5 gal pasteurized (no preservative) cider in a 6.5 gal carboy. I'll probably pick this up at whole foods. Assume good sanitation.
1a. Add Campden tablets. Let sit for 24 hours.
2. Add Wyeast 4766 Cider.
3. Ferment until done, checking SG.
3a. Rack to secondary.
4. Rack to Keg. Add K-sorb and K-meta. Cool for 24 hours.
5. Add 1 can frozen apple juice concentrate. Mix. Add acid blend and/or wine tannin to taste.
6. Carb and drink.

What am I missing? Thanks in advance for your help.

JB

 

[TheMadKing]

My first cider was similar and it took about 2 months in a secondary to clear and improve the flavor.

I would add a secondary fermentation/clarifying step of at least 2-3 weeks in there, after "ferment until done" and before "rack to keg". I was surprised how much the flavor improved with time.

You can also experiment with adding acid blend and wine tannin to the finished cider to give it a nice crisp tartness that it will likely be missing. I can't remember how much per gallon off the top of my head but I know it's on this forum somewhere.

 

[Bostrows128]

Instead of assuming good sanitation you can add a Camden tablet ( some juices may already have this in there) and let it evaporate out for 24 hours.

 

[MarkKF]

I also use a secondary to clear. Two weeks primary. Two months secondary. The lees is thick and soupy in the primary and light and fluffy in the secondary.

 

[JamesB]

Thanks! Added 1a and 3a, modified step 5 based on your feedback.

 

[ebbelwoi]

If you have the means, I would add a cold crash and rack before 3a. This will remove more yeast from suspension and make the stabilizing step more effective.

I would also wait one day after adding the k-meta to add the k-sorbate.

 

[MarkKF]

I would also wait one day after adding the k-meta to add the k-sorbate.

Why’s that?

 

[ebbelwoi]

I just read it somewhere (here, probably), and the reasoning seemed to make sense. Can't find it now, though, sorry.