Man, I love Apfelwein

[fosgate]

UPS dropped off the yeast and other items at 5. Just put 5 gallons in the closet about 20minutes ago. Now the wait.

 

[Nmillard]

Two weeks in. Still cloudy

 

[lormeinri]

$15.00 for 5 gallons of Tree Top Apple Juice from Costo or Sam's
$ 3.00 for 2 pounds of Dextrose
$ 0.79 for a packet of Red Star Montrachet Wine yeast

$18.79 for 5 gallons of kick your butt 8.5% Apfelwein or about 35 cents per 12 oz. serving.

I've never tired "Apfelwein" but I am used to Irish/English hard cider so I don't know what the difference is in the taste and I assume it doesn't taste like wine. What is the taste difference? I also want to try your recipe ASAP. Is the difference the yeast used? In other words would the Wyeast or WL yeast make it taste more like a Irish/UK cider. Thanx for your time. Peter.

 

[lormeinri]

I've never tired "Apfelwein" but I am used to Irish/English hard cider so I don't know what the difference is in the taste and I assume it doesn't taste like wine. What is the taste difference? I also want to try your recipe ASAP. Is the difference the yeast used? In other words would the Wyeast or WL yeast make it taste more like a Irish/UK cider. Thanx for your time. Peter.

 

[HoppyDaze]

I haven't made any apfelwein in a couple years. I've been reading through the thread looking for some juice variations. Cranberry? Rasberry? Grape? The original is great but I'd like to mix it up for the wife... Also, I've read about some alternative yeast strains; is there a consensus on something other than Montrachet that doesn't comprimise the recipe? Those rhino farts are not the wife's favorite...

 

[bknifefight]

I've never tired "Apfelwein" but I am used to Irish/English hard cider so I don't know what the difference is in the taste and I assume it doesn't taste like wine. What is the taste difference? I also want to try your recipe ASAP. Is the difference the yeast used? In other words would the Wyeast or WL yeast make it taste more like a Irish/UK cider. Thanx for your time. Peter.

Go read the FIRST post for a list of FAQ that answer all of your questions.

 

[Kahler]

Started 10 gallons yesterday.
Woo-Hoo

 

[lormeinri]

Guess I need to earn to read. Thanx

 

[springmom]

Mine is bubbling away like crazy. No sulphur smell, just a really nice smelling closet

 

[UpNAdam47]

I made 5 gal of this the other day but added a cup of brown sugar and some honey.. can't wait to try it

 

[spark_plug]

I've made around 30 gallons of this stuff now. I've added more sugar to bring up the ABV, and I've made to spec of Ed's original recipe.

I've had lots of people taste it and call it hooch, and say "its awful how can you drink it?" But those who like it, LOVE IT!

My favorite way to make it so far has been original recipe with 2kg of corn sugar and put it on tap. 3 tall glasses, and you might be waking up on your best friends Mom's couch!

 

[HoppyDaze]

I've made around 30 gallons of this stuff now. I've added more sugar to bring up the ABV, and I've made to spec of Ed's original recipe.

I've had lots of people taste it and call it hooch, and say "its awful how can you drink it?" But those who like it, LOVE IT!

My favorite way to make it so far has been original recipe with 2kg of corn sugar and put it on tap. 3 tall glasses, and you might be waking up on your best friends Mom's couch!

unless you giver her some...you may wake up in her bed!

 

[HoppyDaze]

I haven't made any apfelwein in a couple years. I've been reading through the thread looking for some juice variations. Cranberry? Rasberry? Grape? The original is great but I'd like to mix it up for the wife... Also, I've read about some alternative yeast strains; is there a consensus on something other than Montrachet that doesn't comprimise the recipe? Those rhino farts are not the wife's favorite...

anyone?

 

[Vox]

unless you giver her some...you may wake up in her bed!

Depends how hot she is. If hot, give her the appley rocket fuel. If not, you may need it to not remember.

 

[BrewerBear]

anyone?

It can be modified to use just about any juice you want. I have apple cranberry I'm getting ready to use.You can also use just about any wine yeast several have used ale yeast with good resutls.I have used ec1118 yeast.

 

[springmom]

Depends how hot she is. If hot, give her the appley rocket fuel. If not, you may need it to not remember.

Aw, come on. There's a **** section for this kind of stuff.

 

[springmom]

anyone?

I have to say, the idea of cranberry juice added sounds yum, though you'd have to keep in mind the change in acidity and adjust to taste. And juice, not cocktail. Mmmmmmmmmm...... I do have an empty 5 gal carboy............!

 

[DarkBrood]

I have to say, the idea of cranberry juice added sounds yum, though you'd have to keep in mind the change in acidity and adjust to taste. And juice, not cocktail. Mmmmmmmmmm...... I do have an empty 5 gal carboy............!

I split a batch up and did 1gal each of cranberry and apple at 25/75, 50/50, and 75/25%. Consensus was that the 50/50 was the best. The cranberry tannins definitely add to a fuller flavor than the 100% apple.

 

[txlonghorns23]

Quick question: my wine is done and it was clear. The last bottle however looks really cloudy. I used Simply Apple and it is made out of pure pressed apples and I think it all sank to the bottom. If this is true, is this bottle safe to drink? If not, what can I do with it?

 

[fosgate]

Absolutely! The stuff I always got in Germany had sediment in the bottom. I was half tempted to add some applesauce for extra sediment and try to keep it the way I always remembered the stuff. I would imagine you will not get a lot of sediment out of it when you siphon it out to a bottling container or keg though.

 

[smegger]

Quick question: my wine is done and it was clear. The last bottle however looks really cloudy. I used Simply Apple and it is made out of pure pressed apples and I think it all sank to the bottom. If this is true, is this bottle safe to drink? If not, what can I do with it?

If it is only in the last bottle it will probably just be sediment from the bottom of your fermenter/bottling bucket. This will mostly be yeast and maybe any other solids that were in the juice. It'll be safe to drink, but it may taste a little yeasty if there is a lot in there.

 

[rideincircles]

I just checked mine after 2 months fermenting, it finished at 1.001 or so. It is definitely pretty dry.

I think I will let it keep aging instead of bottling right now for thanksgiving. Hopefully 3 months aged will be good and bring out more apple. My batch had a few cinnamon sticks and a clove. I was considering backsweetening, but will roll with the regular way this batch. My cherry batch will be kept in primary until next year or so.

Also, If I used frozen concentrate to add some more apple when bottling, how much would be needed for 5.5 gallons?

 

[beersurgeon]

I started my 5 gallon batch about 7 weeks ago. Fermented just like everyone said it would.

What do i do now? I have some kits i'd like to brew. It's tying up my fermenter and (while i do need another one) i can't fund another one now.

Should i just leave it in there for a little longer, or bottle it?

 

[fosgate]

The original recipe staid leave it to ferment for at least a month. Any longer is up to you. I would probably bottle it and set it aside until you hit that 6 month mark and get back to brewing in the meantime.

 

[slugdoug]

I started my 5 gallon batch about 7 weeks ago. Fermented just like everyone said it would.

What do i do now? I have some kits i'd like to brew. It's tying up my fermenter and (while i do need another one) i can't fund another one now.

Should i just leave it in there for a little longer, or bottle it?

If you are at 7 weeks you should be fine to bottle, it will just be clearing from here on out anyway. Mine sat in primary for 7 weeks and then in the secondary for 10 but constant sampling took it from 5 gallons to 3 at bottling time. We are at 25 weeks total, it was good at 7 better at 17 and getting better all the time but everyone liked it at 7 weeks so?? Why wait.

 

[beersurgeon]

If you are at 7 weeks you should be fine to bottle, it will just be clearing from here on out anyway. Mine sat in primary for 7 weeks and then in the secondary for 10 but constant sampling took it from 5 gallons to 3 at bottling time. We are at 25 weeks total, it was good at 7 better at 17 and getting better all the time but everyone liked it at 7 weeks so?? Why wait.

It cleared a few weeks ago, and looks like apple juice

I guess it's time to start bleaching my empties so i can start bottling.

This hobby rocks.

 

[bknifefight]

I guess it's time to start bleaching my empties so i can start bottling.

Get some Star San, my friend.

 

[bigbeergeek]

Bleach is a poor choice for a sanitizer. Time to get a nice food-grade no-rinse sanitizer like the aforementioned starsan or iodophor.

 

[HBrew71]

Kegged. Now wait 2 months.

 

[opus345]

Starsan rocks. 1oz = 5gal of sanitizer. Mix up a gallon or two and then put it in a spray bottle. Just before bottling, get the bottles laid out and start spraying the insides, usually 5-10 squirts, let sit for 2-3 mins, dump and then bottle. Couldn't be easier. Alright, Starsan in a Vinator Bottle Rinser might be easier.