Crazy question: a friend's mom was cleaning out her basement and found two full wooden barrels of "indeterminate age and origin" full of cider. My friend suspects they are at least 35 years old. The barrels have not been tapped, and are airtight. She would like to know: a) are they safe to drink, b) will they taste horrible, and c) would I like them. I have limited experience with cider, and none with anything this old. Anybody have any ideas?
VERY Old Cider
- Thread starter Mainer
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botigol
Well-Known Member
a) Yes
b) Maybe
c) Yes, because, 'why not'?
b) Maybe
c) Yes, because, 'why not'?
TexasDroughtBrewery
Well-Known Member
I second this.
a) Yes
b) Maybe
c) Yes, because, 'why not'?
and really want to know if its good or not?
a) Yes
b) Maybe
c) Yes, because, 'why not'?
and really want to know if its good or not?
only one way to find out.
Don't instinctively dump it if it has turned to vinegar. It might be very good vinegar.
![Craft A Brew - Safale S-04 Dry Yeast - Fermentis - English Ale Dry Yeast - For English and American Ales and Hard Apple Ciders - Ingredients for Home Brewing - Beer Making Supplies - [1 Pack]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41fVGNh6JfL._SL500_.jpg)
If nothing else you have two pretty cool talking pieces. I am in agreement with the others when I say don't hesitate to snatch that find up!
madscientist451
Well-Known Member
At the very least, you'd have two barrels that are tight enough to hold cider.
If the cider isn't good, don't dump it until you get some more cider to put in there.
If the cider isn't good, don't dump it until you get some more cider to put in there.
MindenMan
Well-Known Member
I'm with them^^^^ don't hesitate to graciously accept the gift that is being offered to you. Even if it is vinegar, barrel aged apple cider vinegar is worth big bucks to the right chef(s).
I had a pear wine that turned to vinegar. Now I snobbishly share such a treasure with friends. I'd take
Them for the barrels. I'd sure taste them. Probably drink them up too.
Them for the barrels. I'd sure taste them. Probably drink them up too.
bernardsmith
Well-Known Member
Not sure that barrels are "airtight" - The "angels' share" exists because whisky and wine can evaporate in a barrel and while a barrel may be watertight, it is actually a container that allows tiny amounts of oxygen to enter.
OP
OP
Mainer
Well-Known Member
Ha. No, she sent me a photo, and I noticed that:
1. They were stamped with an address in Sonoma Valley, making me think they were probably wine, not cider. And:
2. The barrels clearly had already been tapped, as the taps were still in them.
So I suggested that she try opening the taps and seeing what came out. She reported back that the taps must be broken, because nothing came out when she turned them. Without wanting to insult her, I then asked what made her think there was cider in them, or for that matter, anything at all. She said the barrels were heavy. so she assumed they must be full, and her dad used to make cider, so she assumed that's what was inside. I gently pointed out that even empty, wine barrels are very heavy.
Long story short, she threw caution to the wind and tore the bung out, and yup, they're bone dry.
1. They were stamped with an address in Sonoma Valley, making me think they were probably wine, not cider. And:
2. The barrels clearly had already been tapped, as the taps were still in them.
So I suggested that she try opening the taps and seeing what came out. She reported back that the taps must be broken, because nothing came out when she turned them. Without wanting to insult her, I then asked what made her think there was cider in them, or for that matter, anything at all. She said the barrels were heavy. so she assumed they must be full, and her dad used to make cider, so she assumed that's what was inside. I gently pointed out that even empty, wine barrels are very heavy.
Long story short, she threw caution to the wind and tore the bung out, and yup, they're bone dry.
