First batch

[mast11b]

Made a 5 gallon batch with Musselman's cider from Wal-Mart using Safale US 05 ale yeast. I plan on two weeks or so primary. Then I've got a couple questions. Once final gravity is stable, could I bottle in wine bottles (dry style)? Can I age the cider there in the wine bottles or do you recommend in a carboy? Is Campden necessary for long term storage? If I want to bottle carb like beer, does the cider have to be completely fermented out (dry, stable gravity)? Beer bottles ok for sparkling cider? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

Welcome to the hobby, I'm going to let the more experienced cider makers answer your most of questions. Once you reach final gravity you can age in bottles or bulk age in a carboy. You may also want to wait for it to clear before packaging. Cheers!

 

[Jessiegaddy]

Aging cider in the bottles will give you a lot of sediment in the bottom. Bulk aging is preferred by most for that reason. Bottling a still cider in wine bottles is fine. Beer bottles for sparkling cider is also fine I do almost all of mine in beer bottles. Yes the cider has to be dry or to have to do the stove top pasteurize process(there is a sticky on the first page) if doing a sweet carbed cider. Campden must be used with sorbate for long term storage of a still cider. Any info you need can be found on this forum and good luck with your cider. Oh and welcome to the forum.

 

[Maylar]

"Yes" to all your questions. Though for bottling still cider in wine bottles I would definitely rack to a secondary carboy first and let the yeast completely settle out for a couple months. Else you risk popping corks and making a mess.

 

[mast11b]

Thanks everyone! If making a sparkling cider, I assume you don't add Campden and sorbate so the yeast can work. How long will that kind of cider last?

 

[bucketnative]

I know you are planning in 2 weeks in primary, but be flexible. The cider will let you know when it is done.

I have sparkling cider (one-month primary, one-month secondary, prime as you would beer, drink after at least one-month), that has been in bottle for over six months and it is changing for the better I think.

 

[Maylar]

Thanks everyone! If making a sparkling cider, I assume you don't add Campden and sorbate so the yeast can work. How long will that kind of cider last?

Dunno... not very long, in my house.

 

[mast11b]

Dunno... not very long, in my house.

Ha!