Hello from The Borders (Southern Scotland)

[Ron Bell]

Did some beer brewing from kits for a year or so about 30 years ago - but nothing since then. Retired up to Scotland in 2007 to climb hills, and planted an orchard in our garden between 2010 and 2012. 25 trees and 20 different varieties of eating apples. Harvest has been increasing each year. In 2017, we got 550 apples and ate the lot by mid February. This year, we have about 1500 apples and have enough surplus to try brewing CIDER! We also have two old Bramley apple (cookers) trees that produce vast numbers of apples. We don't use cookers much, so adding these to the cider would be very productive. I've bought all the kit, except for the apple press which I shall borrow, and plan to make my first 25 litre trial brew from a mix of 60% eaters (my four "early" varieties, Discovery, Katy, Redsleeves, and Millers Seedling) and 40% Bramleys. Any tips from experienced ciderists would be very welcome.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Welcome to the forum.

I have moved your post to the wine and cider forum as it'll get more views here. :thumba:

 

[xozzx]

Cant comment on the apple mix but if its been a long time since you brewed I would suggest doing a quick 5L turbo cider brew from cheap apple juice first. This way of you mess anything up you havent lost a whole batch of apples.

 

[Dutto]

Welcome to The Forum!

 

[Ron Bell]

Cant comment on the apple mix but if its been a long time since you brewed I would suggest doing a quick 5L turbo cider brew from cheap apple juice first. This way of you mess anything up you havent lost a whole batch of apples.

Thanks very much, xozzx, that's a very good suggestion.