I started making Cider about a year ago and I think I've gotten pretty good at it and it tastes a whole lot better than it did when I first started. I've done a bit of research and have discussed methods with a bunch of people. Here is basically how I've been doing it lately. If you think I'm doing something wrong please let me know. I still consider myself a hack.
First, I try to use fresh cider from a local orchard. I found out that this makes all the difference with taste. I started by using SHop Rite brand apple juice and thought it worked on the alcohol end, the taste was pretty dry and bitter. When I spent a little extra for the good stuff it tasted so much better.
I use a 6.5 gallon bucket and add 5 gallons of cider, one packet of S9 yeast, and then I add 5 cups of sugar in the raw or 4 cups of that plus 1 cup of brown sugar. I ferment it for about 10-11 days and then I transfer it to a secondary carboy for about 4 days and then it goes into a corny keg. I blast it with a little CO2, roll it around a bit to expedite the carbonation and then it's ready. I recently added a little cherry concentrate but I find that the good fresh cider is already sweet enough on its own. I do have a hydrometer, but it rarely measures at 1.01 specific gravity so I kinda skip that step. It seems to work for me and everyone seems to love it.
First, I try to use fresh cider from a local orchard. I found out that this makes all the difference with taste. I started by using SHop Rite brand apple juice and thought it worked on the alcohol end, the taste was pretty dry and bitter. When I spent a little extra for the good stuff it tasted so much better.
I use a 6.5 gallon bucket and add 5 gallons of cider, one packet of S9 yeast, and then I add 5 cups of sugar in the raw or 4 cups of that plus 1 cup of brown sugar. I ferment it for about 10-11 days and then I transfer it to a secondary carboy for about 4 days and then it goes into a corny keg. I blast it with a little CO2, roll it around a bit to expedite the carbonation and then it's ready. I recently added a little cherry concentrate but I find that the good fresh cider is already sweet enough on its own. I do have a hydrometer, but it rarely measures at 1.01 specific gravity so I kinda skip that step. It seems to work for me and everyone seems to love it.
![Craft A Brew - Safale S-04 Dry Yeast - Fermentis - English Ale Dry Yeast - For English and American Ales and Hard Apple Ciders - Ingredients for Home Brewing - Beer Making Supplies - [1 Pack]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41fVGNh6JfL._SL500_.jpg)
