Ale Yeast.......for cider??

[shimmy22]

Hey guys I asked this question in the wine/cider section and it was recommended I ask the Beer Brewing Community as they may better fit to answer!

Attempting to brew my first batch of anything ever next weekend and am looking to recreate a cider I tasted in the US. Downeast Cider House say they use an ale yeast in fermentation opposed to cider/wine yeast.

Obviously nobody will no the yeast Downeast Cider use (I have emailed asking) but was wondering if you guys had any recommendations of a yeast that would play well/complement a cider brew!

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

 

[hoptoit]

I've used gervin / Nottingham in last cider and it's way better than previous batch. Doesn't dry it as much and keeps the fruit flavours more.

 

[Spoon]

It should work just as well as there is not attenuation issues in cider as all the sugar is fermentable. The only problem occurs when the alcohol percentage increases ale yeasts typically aren't quite as tolerant so may not fully attenuate strong ciders.

As for the taste, in cider it's mostly going to be down to the apples used, not the yeast, and after that bacteria (giving that scrumpy 'tang') and pitching rate (propper cyder is spontaneously fermented) would come higher up the list.

If you want a simple cider recipie then have a look at the cider section of the forum but as a starter for 10.

4.5l of Apple juice (not 'juice drink' so avoid the 'value' versions, own brand is fine though), put it in a Demi John (sanitised) with a packet of yeast, leave for a month, make a cup of tea with 2 teabags and 9 level tsp of sugar (for fizzy cider, for flatter cider halve that) and allow to brew really strong before adding to the cider (tea gives tannins which aren't present in apple juice from eating apples). Then transfer it into sanitised bottles leaving as much yeast behind as possible. If you want it sweet, add a sweeter pill to each pint you bottle, unlike sugar this won't ferment.

Compared to beer it's pretty foolproof.

 

[Tau]

Have a look at this experiement with ale yeast v's wine yeast.


http://rangerpretzel.net/2014/08/25/a-hard-cider-yeast-experiment/