Hey everybody,
This is my first proper post on here.
Been making my own alcohol for about a year.
First thing I tried was a cider in a 2 ltr pop bottle with apple juice and bread yeast with a ballon with a pin prick in the top. It worked, well it contained alcohol even though it tasted very bready, and as a result I classed it as a success. I knew nothing of sterilisation, bottling etc. I didn't drink much but I caught the bug ( brewing bug ) so to speak.
The only way from there was up ( I guess I'd find it almost impossible to go down ). I went to my local brew shop in Kirkstall, Leeds and a very helpful bloke sold me exactly what I needed to make a cider from a kit. It was black rock and I thoroughly enjoyed making and drinking it. I've been having fun making a few gallons of WOW variants, Tesco cherries and berries cordial has just been racked and it tastes beautiful when back sweetened A LOT. I tried my first beer kit and that was ok. But it seems due to my unorthodox induction into home brewing that I've a soft spot for cider.
I've just set brewing my first attempt at a Festive cider:
Ingredients:
5 ltrs of Morrisons apple juice from concentrate
2 jars of smart price apple sauce
1 tsp cider yeast ( I can't remember who's brand and I've thrown the packet sorry )
1 tsp yeast nutrient
1/2 tsp citric acid
1 mug of 2 bag strong black tea
2 cinnamon sticks broken in half
4 cloves
1 whole nutmeg broken with a rolling pin into small chunks
Put one carton of apple juice into a pan with the cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.
I heated slowly so not to burn any sugar. When slowly starting to boil add both jars of apple sauce. Bring to rolling boil for 1 minute. I read this should get rid of preservatives in the apple sauce. I tasted this and it was a strong mulled cider taste. I didn't want it too strong in case it ruined it and initially used only half the amounts of spice but felt it needed more.
Leave to cool
When tepid add to your clean demi john.
Top up with mug of black tea and 3 more ltrs of apple juice.
This took the total volume to approx 4 1/2 litres.
I took a reading from the hydrometer and it was 1.050 at 33c.
From making turbo cider before I've left it at 4 1/2 litres till it calms down a bit then will top up with more apple juice to 5 litres.
I added the yeast, nutrient and citric acid. I should of waited till it was cooler I guess but had to get back to work, I'd taken a long lunch hour doing this.
I've been wanting to do this for Christmas and think I've got enough time to get it bottled and let it sit in the cellar for a bit.
Has anyone else done a festive cider?
What spices and how much did you use?
Is there any point to adding citric acid without knowing how acidic it is already?
Can you add too much citric acid? ( my wife likes sharp crisp alcohol and I had it for some WOW I made )
This has turned into a bit of an epic post I'm afraid.
I'll post some results but any ideas input would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Rio
This is my first proper post on here.
Been making my own alcohol for about a year.
First thing I tried was a cider in a 2 ltr pop bottle with apple juice and bread yeast with a ballon with a pin prick in the top. It worked, well it contained alcohol even though it tasted very bready, and as a result I classed it as a success. I knew nothing of sterilisation, bottling etc. I didn't drink much but I caught the bug ( brewing bug ) so to speak.
The only way from there was up ( I guess I'd find it almost impossible to go down ). I went to my local brew shop in Kirkstall, Leeds and a very helpful bloke sold me exactly what I needed to make a cider from a kit. It was black rock and I thoroughly enjoyed making and drinking it. I've been having fun making a few gallons of WOW variants, Tesco cherries and berries cordial has just been racked and it tastes beautiful when back sweetened A LOT. I tried my first beer kit and that was ok. But it seems due to my unorthodox induction into home brewing that I've a soft spot for cider.
I've just set brewing my first attempt at a Festive cider:
Ingredients:
5 ltrs of Morrisons apple juice from concentrate
2 jars of smart price apple sauce
1 tsp cider yeast ( I can't remember who's brand and I've thrown the packet sorry )
1 tsp yeast nutrient
1/2 tsp citric acid
1 mug of 2 bag strong black tea
2 cinnamon sticks broken in half
4 cloves
1 whole nutmeg broken with a rolling pin into small chunks
Put one carton of apple juice into a pan with the cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.
I heated slowly so not to burn any sugar. When slowly starting to boil add both jars of apple sauce. Bring to rolling boil for 1 minute. I read this should get rid of preservatives in the apple sauce. I tasted this and it was a strong mulled cider taste. I didn't want it too strong in case it ruined it and initially used only half the amounts of spice but felt it needed more.
Leave to cool
When tepid add to your clean demi john.
Top up with mug of black tea and 3 more ltrs of apple juice.
This took the total volume to approx 4 1/2 litres.
I took a reading from the hydrometer and it was 1.050 at 33c.
From making turbo cider before I've left it at 4 1/2 litres till it calms down a bit then will top up with more apple juice to 5 litres.
I added the yeast, nutrient and citric acid. I should of waited till it was cooler I guess but had to get back to work, I'd taken a long lunch hour doing this.
I've been wanting to do this for Christmas and think I've got enough time to get it bottled and let it sit in the cellar for a bit.
Has anyone else done a festive cider?
What spices and how much did you use?
Is there any point to adding citric acid without knowing how acidic it is already?
Can you add too much citric acid? ( my wife likes sharp crisp alcohol and I had it for some WOW I made )
This has turned into a bit of an epic post I'm afraid.
I'll post some results but any ideas input would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Rio
