Which is easier, cider or mead?

[portugo]

I'm planning on using Mr Beer, a single fermenter system, to make both cider and mead. I've never brewed anything before, so I'm wondering which would be simpler and less likely for me to screw up, and also which would work better without the second fermenter. Thanks for any tips!

 

[usmcruz]

I'm planning on using Mr Beer, a single fermenter system, to make both cider and mead. I've never brewed anything before, so I'm wondering which would be simpler and less likely for me to screw up, and also which would work better without the second fermenter. Thanks for any tips!

Cider, because you can buy it by the gallon jugs (no preservatives, just juice). Add a camdem tablet wait a day then pitch your yeast.a

 

[rewster451]

Hmm... From what I've heard on this forum Mr. Beer is kind of worthless. Just a thought. It's not that expensive to get a real setup. But even then I would say cider is easier.

 

[usmcruz]

Hmm... From what I've heard on this forum Mr. Beer is kind of worthless. Just a thought. It's not that expensive to get a real setup. But even then I would say cider is easier.

Dont believe everything you hear, I started out using mr beer and it turned out some drinkable beer. It uses the same malt extract you use

 

[Beer Snob]

I have made both cider and mead. If timing is of a concern you should know that they both take a bit longer then beer. Cider can get alcoholic fast but needs plenty of time to mellow. Mead taste like sweet water for a while. Perhaps the people in the Cider or Mead section could help too (dont know if you posted there as well).

 

[Beer Snob]

Cider, because you can buy it by the gallon jugs (no preservatives, just juice). Add a camdem tablet wait a day then pitch your yeast.a

This depends. If you get get "Cider", then yes you are right. The time of year in MI now is a time that Cider is pretty much gone from the area (the mills close like.... September-October). Don't make the mistake of getting apple juice, it won't taste like hard cider at all. You could get a cider kit from supply places though. I used a cider yeast and it was real good.

If you did not want to get a cider kit and you did not have access to real Cider in your area, then certainly mead is the way to go.

 

[david_42]

Cider is certainly the simplest. In it's basic form, you add yeast to the fresh squeezings and wait. Fermentation takes 2-3 weeks and aging a couple months. (I stopped using campden because one of my friends has a problem with sulfites.)

Basic mead, you heat honey & water to remove residual waxes, cool, add yeast and wait a long time. Fermentation can take as long as a year and aging several years.

Like ales, things can get a lot more complicated.

 

[Beer Snob]

Mead... Fermentation can take as long as a year and aging several years.

Ahh.... that's why I never liked mine.

 

[portugo]

Thanks for the feedback! Sounds like cider is the way to go for now. I already have the Mr Beer, so I'll give it a whirl and see how it works. I'm going to use my own fresh yeast instead of theirs, so hopefully that will avoid any problems. *fingers crossed*

 

[Beer Snob]

Thanks for the feedback! Sounds like cider is the way to go for now. I already have the Mr Beer, so I'll give it a whirl and see how it works. I'm going to use my own fresh yeast instead of theirs, so hopefully that will avoid any problems. *fingers crossed*

I do not believe you use beer yeast for this. Or at least I did not. You might want to check with someone who makes the stuff a lot. If anythinhg you use wine/champagn yeast, but they have specific yeast for Cider.

 

[portugo]

Ok, when I go to the brew store, I'll be sure to ask the guy what kind of yeast to get for cider. Thanks!

 

[Beer Snob]

Hey Portugo, I found the book I have on making Cider. It does say you can use beer yeast... for some reason it seems to favor Lager yeast rather then Ale yeast. If your interested in something specific I can look it up for you They have a bunch of recipe ideas of course One interesting one that combines Honey and Malt...