Help?! First batch and having FG reading issues

[climber8483]

Trying to make Mike's Caramel Apple Cider and at 2 weeks my FG is super low. I got a reading of 0.997, it tastes super dry and like it has a lot of alcohol too.

Recipe so far is:
5 gallons of Apple Juice. (I think it was Tree Top Fresh Pressed)
2 lbs sugar
Champagne Yeast

I failed at taking an OG, but I wasn't too concerned with what the Alcohol percent is.

Am I going to have to seriously back sweeten this? What do I need to do to save this batch?

Thanks,
B

 

[Randzor]

If you want a sweet cider.. then yes and pasteurize. If you age it, it will taste much better in 2 to 3 months.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Home Brew mobile app

 

[Hello]

Well the batch isn't ruined. You used champagne yeast and it fermented as it should have. Next time, try an ale yeast, I like Nottingham but I am going to try Windsor Ale Yeast next time as it attenuates lower.

You will have to back-sweeten to get a sweet cider. If you want a still cider then back-sweeten, bottle, and pasteurize immediately. If not, wait a couple of days (max in my opinion) and then pasteurize. I would check a bottle before you do that, if it is a gusher you do not want to stick those bottles in 150F + water. I did and it's not pretty nor safe.

 

[climber8483]

Cool, Thanks for the replies.

B