Hard lemonade just now starting to ferment

[DogFace_Brewing]

I bottled 1 gallon of hard lemonade on Jan 30th and today (Feb 7th) it is now starting to ferment!! Does it usually take that long to get going? I made a warm starter with the yeast and 1/4 cup 95 degree water which sat for 15 min.

2 Cans Minute Maid Concentrate
4.2oz corn sugar
1/2 package red star champagne yeast.
OG-1070

thanks!

 

[ViperMan]

Well, I can't say whether it's normal or not, but I'm in the process of making my first cider...

5 gallons unpasteurized cider
4 zested oranges (and one lightly squeezed)
1 lb wildflower honey
1 lb dark brown sugar
4 sticks of cinnamon
1 package red star champagne yeast

I made a warm starter as well - 2 oz's water for about 20 minutes before pitching.
I started it just yesterday and have no fermenting yet, but I was planning on giving it a few days before I tried a new package of yeast...

I'll keep an eye on this thread - let me know if it continues or freezes up again.

Sounds good, btw!!!

 

[LiquidAthlete]

I bottled 1 gallon of hard lemonade on Jan 30th and today (Feb 7th) it is now starting to ferment!! Does it usually take that long to get going? I made a warm starter with the yeast and 1/4 cup 95 degree water which sat for 15 min.

2 Cans Minute Maid Concentrate
4.2oz corn sugar
1/2 package red star champagne yeast.
OG-1070

thanks!

Idid a hard lemonade last year that took three attempts to get fermentation started. Once it took off it was great. I ended up mixing some of the must with a pack of yeast and put it on my sir plate. I think it was yopper who I got thexrip from. An old thread but work great. Good luck and enjoy.

 

[winewit]

I thought you're suppost to bottle ofter you ferment.

 

[Yooper]

Hopefully, you misspoke and didn't bottle and it's in the fermenter.

Lemonade is my HARDEST ferment! If you read my recipe, I talk alot about how to get it going. The acidity is a killer.

 

[ViperMan]

Just wanted to post my own update - my cider started fermenting healthily last night and is still going strong today - took about 5 days from being pitched.

 

[DogFace_Brewing]

Hopefully, you misspoke and didn't bottle and it's in the fermenter.

Lemonade is my HARDEST ferment! If you read my recipe, I talk alot about how to get it going. The acidity is a killer.

Yep...I meant I put ingredients in the bottle (1 gallon jug) to ferment, not bottle like secondary. I will take a look at your info...Thanks Yooper!!

 

[oldmate]

I've never found it hard to start the ferment, but to get a good tasting product is difficult. Any fresh lemon you use in the fermenter is almost tasteless after fermentation. I ended up having to use freshly squeezed lemon juice in each bottle for a lemon taste (not complaining, it came out brilliantly).