Cider Turn-Around Time: from jug to keg

[TAK]

Never made cider before, but I'm fairly well versed in brewing. On another post, someone suggested that cider needs to age for 6-9 months.

If I control the fermentation well, can a cider not be turned out in the same time as an ale?

For a typical ale, it'll ferment in 5-7 days, I'll give it another 5-7 for the yeast to clean itself up, then keg and carb.

Given that cider is much more fermentable than wort, I could see an unchecked fermentation throwing a lot of fusel alcohol, but that's not going to clean up with age. That needs to be managed during the first days of fermentation.

Is there a reason why I'd be sorry if I try to turn my first cider around in a few weeks?

 

[Donough]

Check out http://chopandbrew.com/recipes/minos-ginger-hard-cider/ He is able to make a back sweetened cider in under 2 weeks. Haven't made the recipe yet, but he has won medals for it. If you like a dry cider, it might need more time

 

[madscientist451]

I's say go for it, but perhaps do a 1 gallon experiment. Maybe the quick turn around cider will suit your tastes.
The ciders that I've made just don't taste good young. I'm drinking
some now (middle of march 2015) that I made at the end of October, 2014, so that's 4+ months.
Your choice if yeast, addition of sugar, fermentation temperature, apple variety and several other factors will influence the flavor you get.
Its much more variable than beer, so a quick turnaround might be ok, but if its not, just age it a while and it will be fine.

 

[Maylar]

Typically, 2 weeks in primary gets cider down to below 1.010 SG. Then another 2 weeks in secondary takes it to 1.000 (or thereabouts) and allows it to clear. At that point you can keg young cider. Time is dependent on yeast, temperature and nutrients. Summer ciders finish faster than winter. My current batch took 6 weeks to reach 1.000 with S-04 at 65°F.