Cider for a Beginner

[BigBrewzer]

Can anyone give me a great cider recipe for a beginner? Planning on kegging and force carbonating with CO2. Thanks.

 

[roadymi]

You want more of an authentic cider or closer to an apple wine?

 

[BigBrewzer]

A traditional hard cider would be great. Thank you.

 

[LeBreton]

At the top of the HBT page there is a 'recipes' link. If your scroll down you can get to the cider section where there is a bunch of recipes to look through for inspiration.

Traditional recipes tend to be simple [(juice + yeast)/time]. A good juice base is key.

 

[BigBrewzer]

Thanks. I'll check out the recipes page. I have a great orchard nearby that sells fresh cider.

 

[smh]

Just make sure they don't add preservatives.

Go simple. You don't need to bother with sugar or anything. Cider ferments better with some yeast nutrient added. If you want a clear cider you need some pectic enzyme. Make sure to take gravity readings with a hydrometer of the original juice.

The most important choice will likely be the yeast. I like Nottingham or S-04. They're pretty standard.

 

[BigBrewzer]

Great advice. When do you add the pectic enzyme?

 

[smh]

I usually add it after I buy the juice and leave it overnight at room temp. I pitch the yeast the next day.

 

[BigBrewzer]

Great! Thank you. No boiling?

 

[smh]

Well, generally the cider pressers will either UV or heat pasteurize. In many places it's law. Ask. If they do it then don't worry about it. If they don't, then you should probably pasteurize it, I can't remember temps/times off hand right now, easy to find.

Someone else will have to recommend when to add the pectic enzyme. I've never done it this way. When you heat the cider it sets the pectin and can make clearing it a pain...

Or, you could try a natural ferment if it's not pasteurized. That could go anywhere from the best thing you've ever drank to toilet water, it's a lot more variable.

 

[Pumbaa]

5 gallons of cider/juice (preservative free)
1 package cider yeast (I use wyeast)
back sweeten with concentrate to taste after fermentation (I prefer 3 cans of concentrate to 5 gallons of hard cider)
keg and carb

 

[BigBrewzer]

That sounds simple enough. Thank everyone for their input. I am excited about my new hobby!