On the Rocks Apple Cider - is it working?

[tefkab]

Hi all

I just started the above kit a few days ago, as per all instructions and all my kit was cleaned and sterilised. It's been going 4 days now and I noticed that it's gone cloudy, and smells really acidic. It's fizzing and the smell is quite acrid. The first few days there was a nice head on it but that's disappeared. Does this sound normal or is this how brews go when they go off?

 

[tefkab]

Oops didn't realise there was a different section for ciders, can any mods move this please?

 

[Frogbrew]

I only make turbo cider but that sounds completely normal to me. Be patient, all will be fine.

 

[tefkab]

Ok thanks, that's a relief, first cider I've done and all that. The beers I've done up to now smell totally different, this just smells unpleasant?!

 

[Frogbrew]

Yes cider does have an eggy smell when fermenting, different to ale. Also I find quite acidic tasting when first bottled, gets nicer in time though if you can make it last.

 

[tefkab]

Ok thanks again, it's gone really cloudy too, is that normal?

 

[Roddy]

yeh it doesn't really get much of a head/krausen on it like beer or even wine - I've got one that I started on Tuesday night and it doesn't look like it's done anything much, although will have started fermenting away

(I hope, better measure the SG when I get home haha :shock: )

 

[stevej]

Ok thanks, that's a relief, first cider I've done and all that. The beers I've done up to now smell totally different, this just smells unpleasant?!

Haha i remember when i did a cider kit, Id done loads of beer kits woke up one morning and the house stunk so i rang my lhbs where i bought it from and the chap said whats your problem i said its brewed for a few days now but it stinks today is it a infection he replied saying no that smell is rhino fart its normal lol
Steve

 

[Roddy]

here's my cider after two days, gone from 1.045 to 1.035

doesn't look like it's doing much tho hehe

 

[tefkab]

That's pretty much exactly how mine looks after 5 days. It did have a head in it for about 48 hrs then it disappeared

 

[tefkab]

OG of 1.040 is now down to .994 after 8 days. It's less cloudy now and I've had a slurp and it tastes ok. What a difference a few days make! It was positively rank when I first took a sniff, it was like something you might clean your patio with! Will bottle up once it's level for a few days but thanks for the advice so far.

 

[Frogbrew]

It will clear once it's bottled and had 1 week carbonating and a further week conditioning in the cool.. Let us know how it goes:wink:

 

[tefkab]

All went really well, it's probably a bit sweeter than I'd like so maybe I'd add a bit less sugar either at fermenting or bottling phase, I'm not really sure how that would affect the sweetness?