First post and a bit confused

[sheep600fx]

Hi all , I have just started my first Cider kit (john bull) I have been doing some reading and wonder if someone could clarify some things, As a complete newbie I havent taken a pre sugar hydro reading but have made the kit to 32 pints instead of 40 pints, Now am I right in thinking that I will lose some of the apple taste/smell due to the higher alcohol level, If so could I add apple juice instead of sugar when I bottle it to replace some of the appleiness. Also can you taste it after a couple of days(sterilised of course) and does it hurt to take the lid off of the bucket. And lastly as I havent checked the SG before starting whats the best thing to do in regard to knowing when to bottle/keg the brew?
Thanks for your patience and sorry for all the questions.

 

[Greg]

Okay, not sure about the apple taste and high alcohol, it will probably taste a little drier. It's not a problem to take the lid off after a couple of days and have a taste, just make sure that anything that touches the liquid has been sterilised.

Check that the fermentation has completed before bottling, take a hydrometer meeting, then take it again a day later and if it's not changed then its okay to bottle.

Give us a shout if you have any more problems.

 

[sheep600fx]

Thanks Greg dont want to end up with vinegar or end up getting my stomach pumped after drinking a pint of 20% fire water lol

 

[prolix]

Sheep, hope this makes sense few beers down.

making it stronger by reducing the volume should make it even more appley than the longer length :

add apple juice to prime it is fun :party: but make sure it does not have nasty preservatives in it. :shock:

tasting is a requirement, I believe it is in fact law :nono: and punishable by drinking tescos own lager if you don't :sick:

As to when to bottle keg the same rules apply when the SG is the same for 24 hrs cider goes a lot lower than beer so 1003 would not be out of possibility, just keep that fermenter at 18 Degrees and let the beasties feast.

hope that helps, I'll probably forget I was on tonight so won't read it in the morning

 

[sheep600fx]

Im not too sure on the temp to be honest its in the larder , I can get as much preservative free juice as I want for next to nothing which is good for my wallet and bad for my guts lol, I will have a taste tomorrow and will check until I get two days of un moving SG, Thanks a lot and I hope your head dont hurt to much tomorrow :-)

PS is there any way of checking how strong the cider is as I forgot to take a reading before starting or do I just gauge how many pints it takes to fall on my **** lol

 

[tubby_shaw]

Im not too sure on the temp to be honest its in the larder , I can get as much preservative free juice as I want for next to nothing

Can I be your best mate :lol:

Seriously though, if you can get AJ cheap, invest in some WLP775 yeast and forget about cider kits :drink:

 

[sheep600fx]

Until recently I worked for a big juice company and can get 12 litres of any juice for £3.50 :-)) so will be definatley having a bash using juice next time, If it was up to you would you bottle or keg it?

 

[tubby_shaw]

Personally I'd keg it, but I'm a lazy sod
To give you a more informed answer, generally if you want sparkling cider you will need to bottle, if you use a plastic homebrew barrel you will only get low carbonation :)

 

[sheep600fx]

I have got a soda stream so I could get busy with the fizzy lol, But I think I will use the tesco 2 litre cheapo lemonade bottles dont see much point in a smaller bottle : lol.

 

[commsbiff]

if you use a plastic homebrew barrel you will only get low carbonation :)

tis true - wish I'd bottled mine

 

[sheep600fx]

How much sugar would you reckon to add to a 2 litre bottle, about 2 teaspoons?

 

[tubby_shaw]

How much sugar would you reckon to add to a 2 litre bottle, about 2 teaspoons?

:thumb: Spot on :)

 

[sheep600fx]

Thanks again for all your help tonight It must get a bit frustrating answering the same questions time and time again, I will get some of that yeast on tuesday and buy another bucket and get a second batch on the go as I have my reservations about this kit :?
Can you drink the cider after fermentation has completed(before bottling)as I want to free up the bucket lol and as all the stuff i used to drink was flat and cloudy as hell lol I am guessing thats proper scrumpy???

 

[tubby_shaw]

We don't mind answering your questions we were all new once :thumb:
Drink it when you like :thumb: it won't hurt you, apart from a possible hangover :lol:
Traditional cider is served flat :drink:
But if you want to carbonate some, ask at your local pub if they will save you some of the empty magners/bulmers bottles that they usually throw away

 

[sheep600fx]

Drink it when you like :thumb: it won't hurt you, apart from a possible hangover :lol

Thats done it lol the buckets gonna be empty by the morning :clap:

 

[tubby_shaw]

Drink it when you like :thumb: it won't hurt you, apart from a possible hangover :lol

Thats done it lol the buckets gonna be empty by the morning :clap:

:lol:

 

[sheep600fx]

Well I bottled up 18 litres today as my hydrometer hasnt budged for 2 days, Added 2 tsp of sugar per 2 lt bottle, Had a bit of a taste : and its ok but not as appley as I hoped it would be, Also quite acidic(but nice) and still a little bit yeasty. Will I see signs of second stage fermentation as nothings happened yet(8 hours) Oh and the most important question, How long till it would be at its best?

Oh and I am getting free apples from my local fruit and veg shop is there any reason why I cant add the juice from them to the concentrate juice I am going to get??. Thanks again guys

 

[tubby_shaw]

I assume that you have bottled in plastic 2L bottles? If so you will be able to feel the bottles become firm over time :thumb:
To answer your other question yes you can add the juice from fresh apples to your concentrate :thumb:

 

[sheep600fx]

Hi mate , Yes I used tesco lemonade bottles , They are hard already, Should I release the pressure a bit dont fancy them exploding on me lol.

 

[tubby_shaw]

Don't worry
Those bottles will swell like balloons before they explode :lol:
Just keep an eye on them :thumb: