Unwelcome guest (villian?) on my cider

Jeff Brewton · May 31, 2018

Hello All!

I've been making cider for quite some time, but have come across a new type of film on top of one of my mixed batches from last fall. I used campden tablets to sterilize and a basic wine yeast to ferment with no other additives other than some yeast nutrient.

I took a look the other day and there's now a film that looks like the consistence of latex paint. No odor other than delicious apple cider. Any thoughts?

Jayjay1976 · May 31, 2018

Whatever it was, it failed at creating a pellicle. I'm not a cider guy but that looks like a promising batch to me. Bottle it and enjoy...

RPh_Guy · Jun 1, 2018

Hey man, welcome to the forum!

Let's assume the bottle was clean and nothing could have leaked or fallen into it...
You used a sterilization dose of sulfite adjusted for pH?

Looks like it might have been a pellicle that you disturbed while moving it. They are created by wild yeast or bacteria, but it's harmless. Sometimes wild microbes sneak in despite our best efforts; it even happens to professionals.

Generally if it smells good and tastes good it's all good!

Cheers!

Jeff Brewton · Jun 2, 2018

I used about two campde tablets per gallon for this cider.

It smells great, so I'll try it out and let you guys know.

Thanks for your help and the welcome!

venatorscribe · Jun 7, 2018

Jeff Brewton said:
Hello All!

I've been making cider for quite some time, but have come across a new type of film on top of one of my mixed batches from last fall. I used campden tablets to sterilize and a basic wine yeast to ferment with no other additives other than some yeast nutrient.

I took a look the other day and there's now a film that looks like the consistence of latex paint. No odor other than delicious apple cider. Any thoughts?

Don't panic. Nothing is lost. That looks like a good dose of lacto- bacillus. Converting the malic acid from your fruit into lactic acid. Hang with it for another week or two then carefully rack it every week for three weeks then bottle. K- meta at each racking. You'll end up with a nice smooth cider. Nature is taking care of you.