Man, I love Apfelwein

[davis119]

I was wondering this myself. I just whipped this up Saturday. I've read through most of the thread, but not all 900ish pages lol. I think, and dont take my word for it, but the Red Star Montrachet yeast said 55 - 85 degrees. I think mine is about 75 degrees right now and fermenting like crazy! I dont know if i can wait 2 months

Yeah thats what I saw too that was a broad margin so I was jw what was ideal. Mine is at 65. And finally started to go steady. Nothing crazy

 

[Mellow52]

Ok made my first two 5 GAL batches and I am as excited as a kid in an apfelwein store. I stuck 100% to the original recipe with zero deviation (other than the apple juice brand).

My OG was just under 1.060, sound right? I used the Organic Apple Juice from BJ's.

 

[davis119]

how long do the farts last?
my condo's community basement is starting to stink lol

 

[BrewScout]

how long do the farts last?
my condo's community basement is starting to stink lol

Should be gone in 3-4 days

 

[tennesseean_87]

You get to enjoy the farts, cause you know they mean apfelwein is coming! So long as they're only in the basement, that is. I have community basement space, and I wonder what my neighbors think of the stacks of bottles and tons of apple juice i have stockpiled.

 

[america]

Im not sure who it was in this thread that said it but I learned that a damp paper towel over the airlock really does pretty much fix the smell completely.

 

[Steelie211]

I'm thinking about racking my 3 gallons of apfelwein (using a 3 gallon carboy) on a can of raspberry puree. My question is would it be ok to rack to a 5 gallon carboy for secondary or would this leave too much head space?

 

[jaytizzle]

I brewed up a batch of this today but at the last minute I realized my LHBS had given me the wrong yeast. I thought the package was Red Star Montrachet but it was Red Star Pasteur Red.

Not that I can change anything but any thoughts as to whether this will make a difference?

 

[verbhertz]

Drinking some 6 month old apfelwein and really pissed I don't have another 15 gallons en route. And I have the montrachet yeast sitting on my brew table... Arg!

 

[garnede]

I'm thinking about racking my 3 gallons of apfelwein (using a 3 gallon carboy) on a can of raspberry puree. My question is would it be ok to rack to a 5 gallon carboy for secondary or would this leave too much head space?

no need for secondary.

 

[jakecpunut]

Ok made my first two 5 GAL batches and I am as excited as a kid in an apfelwein store. I stuck 100% to the original recipe with zero deviation (other than the apple juice brand).

My OG was just under 1.060, sound right? I used the Organic Apple Juice from BJ's.

Using the original recipe with MOTT's apple juice I got 1.060 as well..

 

[Steelie211]

no need for secondary.

So should I just put the puree in the primary? Would the splashing cause oxidation?

 

[smagee]

I'd rack it to the secondary on top of the puree; yes, splashing could be a concern, but it could be minimized if you're gentle. That said, I usually prefer to secondary when doing a fruit addition like this (for a standard brew, I simply do a long primary).

As for headspace, the puree will provide some extra fermentables for the yeast to munch on, which will result in more CO2 production that will help flush out any oxygen in there. So long as your yeast are still viable, you shouldn't be too concerned.

 

[NineMilBill]

I think I'm done making 5 gallon batches of this. I have 6 gallon carboys, and with the lack of krausening - I think 6 gallons will be my new standard.

 

[Steelie211]

I'd rack it to the secondary on top of the puree; yes, splashing could be a concern, but it could be minimized if you're gentle. That said, I usually prefer to secondary when doing a fruit addition like this (for a standard brew, I simply do a long primary).

As for headspace, the puree will provide some extra fermentables for the yeast to munch on, which will result in more CO2 production that will help flush out any oxygen in there. So long as your yeast are still viable, you shouldn't be too concerned.

Thanks for the help smagee!!!

 

[tulsabrewdaddy]

SWMBO loves cran apple juice so I'm doing a gallon experiment with 1/2 gallon 100% apple juice and 1/2 gallon 100% cranberry juice with 6.4 ounces of corn sugar and about 1/2 packet of the yeast. We will see how it turns out....

 

[davis119]

hey i guys i just made this thread for varriation if this

chime in and post the different varriations you have tried so i and every one else doesnt have to search this encyclopedia of a thread
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f32/apfelwein-varriation-thread-321996/

 

[dpeloso]

I mixed it up a bit too. I went with a 6 gallon carboy, obviously increased the apple juice content, but along with the dextrose added 2lbs of light brown sugar. Will post how it turns out!

 

[DrewBrew08]

Ok made my first two 5 GAL batches and I am as excited as a kid in an apfelwein store. I stuck 100% to the original recipe with zero deviation (other than the apple juice brand).

My OG was just under 1.060, sound right? I used the Organic Apple Juice from BJ's.

I did the exact same but with different apple juice. That Mott's Apple Juice was like $5-$6 a gallon. Yikes!

So I went with the Kroger brand that was on sale for $3/gal ! Anyway, my OG hit right at 1.060 as well so hopefully this is normal.

 

[davis119]

I did the exact same but with different apple juice. That Mott's Apple Juice was like $5-$6 a gallon. Yikes!

So I went with the Kroger brand that was on sale for $3/gal ! Anyway, my OG hit right at 1.060 as well so hopefully this is normal.

I used walmart brand. I bought 7 96oz bottles. It was actually cheaper than buying 5 gallons. Any way I hit the same OG

 

[nukinfuts29]

SWMBO loves cran apple juice so I'm doing a gallon experiment with 1/2 gallon 100% apple juice and 1/2 gallon 100% cranberry juice with 6.4 ounces of corn sugar and about 1/2 packet of the yeast. We will see how it turns out....

View attachment 57541

I cannot wait for this

 

[iceemone]

I just took my first hydro sample of my first batch of apfelwein. I drank it. I took another, "Sample" OMNOMONONONOMOM. So good. I'm thinking of taking another "Sample" I am literally drinking this out of the carboy. EdWort I love you.

 

[Skagdog]

Just sitting at a house warming party for one of my wife's friends. I brought six bottles (750ml) and they were gone in about 30 minutes.....ive got some experimental batches but this was the standard Edwort original....

Happy Brewing!

 

[BrewScout]

How much honey would it take to carbonate 2 gallons of this stuff?

 

[mastamind]

Ahhhh the wonderful taste of apfelwein . I just bottles my first batch ever yesterday 4/22/12 after being in the carboy for a month and a half. This stuff tastes amazing! I do prefer to add a little bit of fresh apple juice to it to make it a little more sweeter but it sure does F you up . I had 4 glasses and swmbo had 4 glasses and at 4 in the morning she is up with a massive hangover and says I am never drinking your apple juice again hahaha I am sure she will be drinking it today. Also is can any one give me some ideas to make different flavors apfelwein? Cheers

 

[Recluse]

How much honey would it take to carbonate 2 gallons of this stuff?

I usually carbonate at the rate of 1 oz (by weight) of sugar per gallon or higher.

The jar of Honey I looked at says it contains 16g sugars per TBSP of honey, so,
about 4 TBSP honey would give you 64 g (~2.3 oz) of sugar and should be about right.

 

[BeerDoctor5]

Ahhhh the wonderful taste of apfelwein . I just bottles my first batch ever yesterday 4/22/12 after being in the carboy for a month and a half. This stuff tastes amazing! I do prefer to add a little bit of fresh apple juice to it to make it a little more sweeter but it sure does F you up . I had 4 glasses and swmbo had 4 glasses and at 4 in the morning she is up with a massive hangover and says I am never drinking your apple juice again hahaha I am sure she will be drinking it today. Also is can any one give me some ideas to make different flavors apfelwein? Cheers

Ha! My wife had the same experience this morning! First time drinking my Apfelwein and she woke up with a massive headache. She learned a valuable life lesson. Pound water before bed to counteract EdWort's bad ass Apfelwein!!!

 

[Grumpybumpy]

Well well well. I finally got to taste this beast, and I must say it lived up to the hype! 3 months in primary, 1 month bottles. I used Lavlin RC-212 which may be my go to yeast for the 3rd time I make it (haven't used the Montrachet yet). Both my parents, who are seasoned wine drinkers, both really enjoyed it. They asked for more, so that's a good sign!

 

[CnnmnSchnpps]

Bottling an 8 month old apfelwein.. It tastes glorious!

Split half/half carb'ed and not.

Thanks again for the recipe!

(BTW does anyone know the normal OG with the standard recipe?)

 

[Recluse]

Well well well. I finally got to taste this beast, and I must say it lived up to the hype! 3 months in primary, 1 month bottles. I used Lavlin RC-212 which may be my go to yeast for the 3rd time I make it (haven't used the Montrachet yet). Both my parents, who are seasoned wine drinkers, both really enjoyed it. They asked for more, so that's a good sign!

Interesting! What did you like about the RC-212 and which other yeasts have you tried? I have made it with Montrachet and EC-1118, and I pretty much only use EC-1118 now unless I absolutely cannot find any in time and fall back on Montrachet. Have been thinking of trying a batch with D-47 which tends to be a good Mead yeast. RC-212 looks like a nice candidate as well, but somehow I never thought of using it as I always associate it with red wine.