Brew UK Forum | Cider Making
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I bought a box of apples from Leckford Estate, Hampshire (just outside Andover). I got about 100 apples for £6.
My friend had been doing some work at a house with an orchard and has got a few apples too.
That press didn't work so well.
I changed the bucket and screw with boards and bottle jack.
We ended up with nearly 5 gallons of chopped apples.
Primed 14 bottles yesterday.
I used SN9 wine yeast and added pectolase.
(I can't figure out how to post pictures. What code are you using?)
Responses
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
That looks sweet, have you made many real ciders? How did you start?
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 2 years ago by Member
I started by cutting the apples up.
This was my first "real" cider.
I made a black rock NewZealand cider kit, and was less than happy with the result.
I thought I'd give this a go as it seemed easy.
The 150 odd apples we had made 2 gallons of juice (I think we were a little poor with our extracting technique).
From which I got 14 500ml bottles.
I didn't take any OG or FG readings so I have no idea of strength.
I let it ferment for 2 weeks before bottling.
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
So is it just in the bottle as we speak or have yoy tried a "sneaky " one yet
PS - your lables are cool! - did you use any internet progs or did you make your own?
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 2 years ago by Member
It was bottles less than 24 hours ago!
It's dropped almost bright already though.
It's been made for my friends birthday on December 1st (or weekend nearest).
I think I'll try to wait until then.
I might sneak one, just to see how it's coming on. But I'll wait at least a week.
I typed "Cider label" into google image, found one I liked. Ripped it off and photoshopped it.
I looked for software, but couldn't find anything for free.
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
Good ol' photoshop! It will be interesting to find out how it "becomes". I have had a limited life of cider, thanks to white lightning when I was young and money was tight!
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 2 years ago by Admin
Nice one. Looks like the image code is finally working too.
I will post some instructions.
Might have to get up to Leckford myself, that's a bargain for cider making. Do they have any pears?
Fermenting:
Conditioning:Pale with Styrians
Drinking:Cascade Pale Ale, Summer Lightning
Posted 2 years ago by Member
Yes they did pears.
It's the farm that supplies waitrose, so they do potatoes and have a mushroom farm there aswell.
They had all sorts of apples. I can't remember the ones I got. I think one was a cox, and the other slightly more tart in flavour.
I also got a bag of out of date apples thrown in.
They open on Sundays.
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
Where did you find those bottles they look good, any problem capping?
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 2 years ago by Admin
Great, yes its near Stockbridge, might have to head up there. It's actually owned by waitrose.
Fermenting:
Conditioning:Pale with Styrians
Drinking:Cascade Pale Ale, Summer Lightning
Posted 2 years ago by Member
I picked up the bottles yesterday from Brew uk (of course).
I had a chat with Tanya who told me to post pictures on the forum, so I'm doing as instructed.
I'm not sure if the farm is owned by waitrose but there are waitrose signs everywhere, and John Lewis have holiday homes there for staff to rent out.
Posted 2 years ago by Admin
Your pictures look great. I'm going to definitely get the camera out this weekend as I'm planning a brew day on sunday.
Its hard work making cider from apples though isn't it!
Fermenting:
Conditioning:Pale with Styrians
Drinking:Cascade Pale Ale, Summer Lightning
Posted 2 years ago by Member
You're not wrong.
I think with all the chopping, pulping, pressing etc it's actually more work than an all grain brew.
And you don't even get to plan the recipe or do the sciencey bit.
I quite like the sciencey bit.
Posted 2 years ago by Admin
Yeah, its not that much fun making cider. I made some last year and it was back breaking and really messy.
All grain is a doddle, in fact I find AG quite relaxing to be honest. The only bit I don't like is the clearing up afterwards!
Fermenting:
Conditioning:Pale with Styrians
Drinking:Cascade Pale Ale, Summer Lightning
Posted 2 years ago by Member
Nice Pics
I'll guess you'l have give it a percentage after a session
Seems such a hard effort for a drink of cider! (not a real cider enthusiast myself)
I have however tried to brew my own out of 100% squezzed apples, tasted rough on racking so not that hopefull drinking them Mid November!!!!
Posted 2 years ago by Member
Had a bottle of this last night.
Unfortunately it tastes very strongly of the old burlap sack I used to hold the pulped apples.
Posted 2 years ago by Admin
Bummer... its amazing how flavours can get transferred even with a very short period of contact. I used a old barrel once which I cleaned and sterlised. I put my sparge water in it then sparged. The barell had stored some old beer ( and I mean old, like 1.5 years) which had gone off and the smell transferred into my new beer. It wasn't a very strong smell but unwelcome. Had to chuck the lot. Gutted.
Its even worse chucking out AG beer as so much time and effort goes into it.
Perhaps you can make cider vinegar with it although thats a lot of vinegar! Maybe cook with it if not? depends on how the taste develops when use for cooking. If not just drink it when you've had a few already!
Fermenting:
Conditioning:Pale with Styrians
Drinking:Cascade Pale Ale, Summer Lightning
Posted 2 years ago by Member
Don't worry Greg.
Ii was made to be drunk in one go.
I don't think a slight off taste will put us off.
Posted 2 years ago by Member
We were drinking this last night. I think it could be the cause of my sore head this morning.
The ones I've had were okay. I opened two to make a rabbit in cider stew a few weeks ago.
But the ones we had last night were over carb'ed.
I think the term is bottle bomb. I opened one and my crotch was immediately soaked and the fizzing lifted all the yeast from the bottom.
They also tasted quite sour and there was a white film on the top of one of the ciders. Still drank it though.
I'm guessing this was an infection?
I've heard they can cause over carb-ing by eating some of the more complex sugars that the yeast can't.
Posted 2 years ago by Admin
Yes I've heard the same thing so you are probably right. Did you use campden tablets in the cider before bottling?
When I made cider I bulked matured in demijohns for 6 months in my garage, occasionally racking to new demi's (every couple of months) and added a campden tablet to each after each racking. Turned out really well but took a while to taste amazing. I did get white film on the top of the demi's which is a type of infection but read that treating with a campden tablet should keep it under control. I then bottled adding 1/2 teaspoon of sugar per 500ml and left for another 6 months, I did try after a couple of months and although it was nice, it had a very dry tart aftertaste but this disappeared after a few more months and they taste great now.
Just wish I had made more as nearly run out and didn't make any this year.
Fermenting:
Conditioning:Pale with Styrians
Drinking:Cascade Pale Ale, Summer Lightning
Posted 2 years ago by Member
Does anyone have any instructions on building an apple press? I am tempted to try cider making. I've heard Bramley Apples are good to use. Tempted to buy a selection from TESCO and give that a go. Or certainly wait until Autumn where i can get as many free apples i can carry.
Could someone also tell me that if you buy the pure apple juice from farm shops etc you can just add a yeast and away you go. You're almost half way to making cider? Surely that can't be that easy? Otherwise there would be no juice left in the shops lol..
Neil
Posted 2 years ago by Admin
Hi Neil, I can't help with the apple press but if you want to make cider from apple juice then see this post
You can always use a juicer to make cider in small qty's from apples although a press is definitely better for larger runs.
Fermenting:
Conditioning:Pale with Styrians
Drinking:Cascade Pale Ale, Summer Lightning
Posted 2 years ago by Member
Ah right cheers Greg...
Looks like you're able to but not advisable as the taste might not be as good.
I did notice a fruit press on this website so tempted. But then the thought of cutting, pulping, mashing the apples etc seems hard work for something which could go wrong at the fermentation stage. At least with ale you have a chance of recovering the brew.
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
I can help on the Cider press!! My dad gets a free magazine subscription because he bought a new polytunnel, the mag is called Home Farmer and in this months issue (came today) there is a Cider press!!! that is made from wood and uses a small car jack to apply pressure!!
Posted 2 years ago by Admin
It is hard work making cider but if you get a few friends together it can make life easier. I've got an apple tree in my garden and there is nothing better than drinking cider made from the apples in your garden so its worth the effort but it also takes a while to mature.
Ale is definitely easier.
Fermenting:
Conditioning:Pale with Styrians
Drinking:Cascade Pale Ale, Summer Lightning
Posted 2 years ago by Member
There are 3 apple trees on a public foot path which i can grab apples from in the Autumn. Not sure what varieties they are but i bet they could make an interesting blend.
You're not wrong about ale. I really enjoyed making my brew a couple of weekends ago. Problem is i can't wait to try it. It's only been at the secondary fermentation stage for coming up to a week. But i need to leave it for a while longer yet.
Still very tempted with cider though.
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