First Brew! Open to any advice or recommendations!

[Myxin]

Hello All,

Two days ago I started my first cider brew, and brew of any kind! I'd like to share my process/recipe/plan and ask for any pointers, improvements, or critiques of what I've done. I'm totally new, so let em rip!

Here's my recipe, a 1 gallon batch:

1 gallon wegmans apple juice (juice + vitamin c)
1 cup of strong chai tea, 3 tea bags
1 oz lemon rind
1 tsp yeast nutrient
1/2 tsp Safale US-05

I sterilized everything I used in some OneStep I purchased from the brew store. I dumped everything into my 1 gallon jug, and let the yeast bloom on top for around 20 minutes. Then, i shook it up. About 8 hours later I had bubbles, and this morning had foam starting.

My plan is to let this batch sit for 2 weeks, or until the bubbles slow down, whichever comes first. Transfer it into a second jug and let it sit another 2 weeks. After that, I'll mix the just under a gallon that's left with 2 oz frozen apple juice concentrate, bottle, and then let that sit another week. I am hoping this plan works and turns something out that's drinkable, as I was hoping for a second batch for Thanksgiving!

As of right now, Im second guessing the use of chai tea instead of a simple black tea. Maybe adding spices during secondary would have been a better idea? I guess i'll find out.

 

[jrgtr42]

Sounds interesting.
Personally, I always recommend starting simple on a first brew. Just juice and yeast in this case.
That said, I wouldn't use another gallon plus when bottling - you'll end up with way over carbonated cider, and possibly bottle bombs - they'll explode from the overpressure. I would add the extra juice and concentrate now, let it ferment out, then when you bottle, add a couple ounces of sugar boiled and cooled in water (a half cup or so) and cooled to create your carbonation.
Also, cider generally takes longer than beer to ferment and then condition. When I've made cider, I generally let it ferment a month or so, then put into a secondary to settle out and clear. That's taken anywhere from a couple weeks to a couple months, depending on a lot of factors. Then another couple weeks plus in bottle to condition.

 

[Myxin]

Sounds interesting.
Personally, I always recommend starting simple on a first brew. Just juice and yeast in this case.
That said, I wouldn't use another gallon plus when bottling - you'll end up with way over carbonated cider, and possibly bottle bombs - they'll explode from the overpressure. I would add the extra juice and concentrate now, let it ferment out, then when you bottle, add a couple ounces of sugar boiled and cooled in water (a half cup or so) and cooled to create your carbonation.
Also, cider generally takes longer than beer to ferment and then condition. When I've made cider, I generally let it ferment a month or so, then put into a secondary to settle out and clear. That's taken anywhere from a couple weeks to a couple months, depending on a lot of factors. Then another couple weeks plus in bottle to condition.

Thanks for the info! I meant that I'd simply mix the first jug into the second to clear up, but maybe I should do the concentrate at that point and sugar in bottles. Hmm.

 

[Myxin]

Fermentation was going crazy, had to switch to a blowoff tube! Smelled nice at least... lol