Fresh picked apples, soon to be cider!

Srimmey · Aug 24, 2024

Last week I found a rural park managed by the army corp of engineers. It is an old apple orchard with 40+ trees containing various kinds of apples and crab apples. I reviewed all the rules thoroughly and verified there was nothing stating a limit on the amount to be picked. I brew strictly for home so and sell nothing so I think I’m clear…

My favorite apple I found was something like a Granny Smith but with more sugar and an extremely flowery flavor.

Today I picked about 1/5 of the apples, mostly the ripe ones. There is so much more there to take in the coming month or 2. Probably more crabs than I know what to do with too…

I’m hoping to get enough for 10-12 gallons of cider this year without purchasing a single apple. Yeah!!!

Right now they are all in the freezer. I might go out again in 3-4 weeks and pick more.

JohnSand · Aug 25, 2024

Great find! Keep us posted.

Srimmey · Sep 3, 2024

I pressed the apples on Monday (yesterday) I ended up with 11 gallons which was almost exactly what I wanted. I only had to top up with 1 gallon of cider from a local farm.

Filled (2) 6 gallon fermenters, 1 got qa23 yeast, the other got Nottingham. Fermentation took off nice and easy with an OG of 1.055.

It was a lot of work!

mashdar · Sep 3, 2024

The apples are cool, but thumbs up for the chore board. (jk not jk)

Srimmey · Sep 3, 2024

mashdar said:
The apples are cool, but thumbs up for the chore board. (jk not jk)

Hahaha! I’m glad your appreciated our dinning room decor.

Srimmey · Sep 15, 2024

Both fermenters have been hanging out at 1.000 for the the past 3-4 days so figured it was time to stabilize and rack.

Each 5 gallon carboy got 1 can of apple juice concentrate. So far the qa23 is bright and citrusy where as the Nottingham is more spicy. Overall, it tasted a whole lot like primary fermentation. Mmm

…

Also pictured on the left is my blueberry mead which was racked for a final clearing. It’s 6 months old and starting to turn into something special. In another 6 months it will be very tasty.

Srimmey · Jan 4, 2025

Bottling day!

Total of 41 750ml bottles + 1 gallon in the keg + 2 sample pours. People may think I bottle like a cave man, they are not wrong.

Bottling day is always a ton of work but the samples are rewarding and now I have 2 clean 5 gallon carboy ready to go again!

Final product was not quite as sweet as I wanted. The acid balance is a little out of whack (slightly too acidic), hopefully time will fix this. I back sweetened each 5 gallon carboy with 1 12 oz can of apple juice concentrate. I Will use 2 a piece next time. The keg carbonation may also help add some perceived sweetness. We will see!