New Cider guy here

[Jason Lopez]

Hey everyone, I'm Jason. I'm a NYer, but work has taken me to the Carolinas. I'm a super amateur here, literally put my first batch of cider in the carboy three days ago.

While I'm just getting started, I'm hoping to actually make my life all about cider in the next 5-10 years. I'd like to set up a small operation here in the Carolinas that's total orchard to bottle. I've only just gotten started now, but I've already got a few ideas for my next few batches.

That's obviously way off in the future, as right now I'm more concerned with being able to open those bottles and when people take a drink, they know that they're drinking hard cider. I don't want to put the cart before the horse.

Just wanted to say hi, and nice to meet everyone.

 

[MaxStout]

Welcome to HBT, from Minnesota!

 

[madscientist451]

Hi Jason,
Growing your own apples and making cider with them is a worthwhile goal.
What kind of apples you can grow depends on where you are in the Carolinas. The climate in the mountains is somewhat different than down by the coast. There is lots of information out there about old "Southern" apple varieties and some make pretty decent cider. There are many sources where you can still buy old apple variety trees.
My suggestion would be to seek out commercial producers in your area that are making cider with their own fruit and see if you like their product and then use those ideas to do your own thing. I try many commercial ciders when I get the chance, and some are OK, but most of them I don't like all that much. Most commercial operations are using whatever juice they can buy by the tanker-load and that juice usually comes from undersized eating apples culled from large apple farms. Note that most commercial apple farms do not grow any apples that are considered good for making cider. (Some like Yellow Delicious, York, Jonagold and Stayman DO make a decent cider but they don't have the tannins and other qualities cider makers are after.)
Now is a great time to try to get some local apples, press them yourself and start making taste comparisons. Check smaller farms, farmer's markets or even look on craigslist for apples that would be good for cider. Ask growers if they have "seconds" to sell, you can usually get them really cheap. I've found that apple varieties that ripen later in the season make better cider and tree ripened fruit helps, but your tastes/results may vary.
Here's a podcast about southern cider making in N. Carolina:
https://ciderchat.com/jamescreek/

 

[Moodman]

Hey folks, just wanted to say hi, and nice to meet everyone.

 

[blasterooni]

Welcome to HBT! I know ive seen your posts in the cider forum, but thought a formal welcome is in order.
You'll find some great advice here, almost every question ive had since i started making cider has been answered here, or i was pointed in the right direction.
Making cider is so enjoyable, and there's so much to learn, and experience. I hope u have as much fun as i have had, and like u, i too hope to have something available for the public.
I went to a cider house in town to taste whats out there beyond grocery store cider, and i think my cider definitely competes with some of them, while theres a few that were really incredible, must be the apples they started with
Good fruit is definitely a must, getting it is a challenge when living deep in urbania!