Home Brewed (Hard) Cider

Sundae · 02-20-2009, 08:08 AM

I will start this thread by explaining that I am currently teetotal.
But it was too much of a temptation not to try brewing my own alcoholic cider.
Everything I have read suggests that it is hit and miss anyway, so there is a good chance I will end up with two bottles of nasty, which I will have to tip away. At best I will have < 2 litres of something drinkable at 5% - not all that damning, given that I could go to the shop and buy 3 litres of 7.5% for £3.19.

Anyway, this is my experiment.

I bought 4 litres of Tesco Value Apple Juice. I figured I'd try twice, one batch = 2 litres. I decanted each tetrapack into a separate plastic bottle, previously sterilised with a weak solution of bleach.

I added approx 2 teaspoons of brewers' yeast - approx because the dried yeast went everywhere when I tried to transfer it from the spoon to the bottle (I have no funnel).

Shook it up. Let it settle. Undid the cap slightly.
The two bottles (2 litre capacity, holding 1 litre apple juice and yeast) are in the dark, in the bottom of my wardrobe. If everything is right they should start fizzing, with the released gas coming out through the top.

It smells lovely of yeast.

I will keep you up to date.

DanaC · 02-20-2009, 08:23 AM

Sundae...not to be a killjoy but are you sure this is a hobby you want to engage with?

Sundae · 02-20-2009, 08:28 AM

Honestly Dani, it's better for me than going to the shop for Turbo Cider.
There is every chance that this, the bell-end of home brewing, will be a completely undrinkable failure.

Had I gone out and bought a home brewing kit I would agree with you. But I bought the ingredients before I gave up drinking, and I have a lot of time on my hands now.

I'm also making Delia's Pineapple Cider. This is completely non-alcoholic, just steeping pineapple peel until it fizzes, but a fun, clean tasting brew apparently.

I understand your question. But my intention is not to get drunk.
I will not buy any more apple juice for this purpose.
This lot, then the next, as above.
Then that's it.

C'mon. Don't tell me you're not intersted in the outcome

dar512 · 02-20-2009, 11:03 AM

Why tempt fate?

xoxoxoBruce · 02-20-2009, 11:09 AM

Will this work with pasteurized juice?

Sundae · 02-20-2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Will this work with pasteurized juice?

Apparently it will.
I've yet to see.

Sundae · 02-20-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dar512

Why tempt fate?

The alternative is to chuck the lot down the sink.
Which I may end up doing anyway.
This is an experiment.
It's like planting coconuts in Animal Crossing, except that this time the results are real life.

Honestly - I could get alcohol cheaper, and more reliably any day of the week.

I just thought documenting the process might be interesting.
I'll stop if it isn't acceptable.

Shawnee123 · 02-20-2009, 11:26 AM

What is this Animal Crossing about? I'll have to check it out, getting a burned out on Toontown.

Sundae · 02-20-2009, 11:37 AM

'Tis a game on the Nintendo DS.
You can get it on Wii, but that's far beyond my means.

Also, if you invite other peoplr into your town you get all sorts of extra benefits - bah. I have no-one else to play with, so just get by with what I have...

Shawnee123 · 02-20-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

'Tis a game on the Nintendo DS.
You can get it on Wii, but that's far beyond my means.

Also, if you invite other peoplr into your town you get all sorts of extra benefits - bah. I have no-one else to play with, so just get by with what I have...

Oh, I see. I love games, but have no game system, just my comp.

glatt · 02-20-2009, 11:55 AM

Very interesting. I know nothing about brewing so I can't comment on the soundness of the experiment, but it's neat anyway.

When I was a kid, the local orchard sold fresh apple cider that was delicious. After a week or so, it would go hard, and I hated it after that. It was always disappointing for me then to pour a tall glass of cider only to have it be hard. I wonder what the alcohol content (if any) was. When does it turn to vinegar?

Trilby · 02-20-2009, 11:45 AM

Sundae---whence did thouest proceed to ride the Water Wagon?

My congratulations, at any rate--good work! To total tea is my intent as well. Demon Rum only creates extra work for the local constabulary and emergency personnel in my area.

classicman · 02-20-2009, 11:45 AM

I agree with Dana, perhaps your mum & dad or someone else can let you know how good/bad it is. I'll shut up now.

Sundae · 02-23-2009, 07:07 AM

Just a little update.
The hard cider is not looking tempting at all!

The brown scummed froth has receded. And it seems to be lighter in colour, so I assume things are underway. I brought it out for its photo opportunity, is usually lives in my wardrobe. Just realised it's only been 3 days

I'm not a very patient person.

Sundae · 02-23-2009, 07:12 AM

I am also making Pineapple Cooler, with a recipe from Delia.
It's not alcoholic, and after all, if the recipe comes from Delia it's not really an experiment either.

Still, it's made the house smell pineapply (or maybe just my fingers) and gives me a box full of fresh pineapple to eat, which can only be a good thing.

Any Brits interested - pineapples are 69p at the moment from Aldi.

It's lovely and simple - cut off the top and bottom and discard. Then slice the rest of the skin off, and into small squares. Add 1.5 pints of water. Cover and leave for a couple of days. It's supposed to be fizzy, light and refreshing. My only worry is that it will get knocked over in the mean time, but I can't think of anywhere else to put it!

02-20-2009, 08:08 AM	#1
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Home Brewed (Hard) Cider I will start this thread by explaining that I am currently teetotal. But it was too much of a temptation not to try brewing my own alcoholic cider. Everything I have read suggests that it is hit and miss anyway, so there is a good chance I will end up with two bottles of nasty, which I will have to tip away. At best I will have < 2 litres of something drinkable at 5% - not all that damning, given that I could go to the shop and buy 3 litres of 7.5% for £3.19. Anyway, this is my experiment. I bought 4 litres of Tesco Value Apple Juice. I figured I'd try twice, one batch = 2 litres. I decanted each tetrapack into a separate plastic bottle, previously sterilised with a weak solution of bleach. I added approx 2 teaspoons of brewers' yeast - approx because the dried yeast went everywhere when I tried to transfer it from the spoon to the bottle (I have no funnel). Shook it up. Let it settle. Undid the cap slightly. The two bottles (2 litre capacity, holding 1 litre apple juice and yeast) are in the dark, in the bottom of my wardrobe. If everything is right they should start fizzing, with the released gas coming out through the top. It smells lovely of yeast. I will keep you up to date. Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

02-20-2009, 08:28 AM	#3
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Honestly Dani, it's better for me than going to the shop for Turbo Cider. There is every chance that this, the bell-end of home brewing, will be a completely undrinkable failure. Had I gone out and bought a home brewing kit I would agree with you. But I bought the ingredients before I gave up drinking, and I have a lot of time on my hands now. I'm also making Delia's Pineapple Cider. This is completely non-alcoholic, just steeping pineapple peel until it fizzes, but a fun, clean tasting brew apparently. I understand your question. But my intention is not to get drunk. I will not buy any more apple juice for this purpose. This lot, then the next, as above. Then that's it. C'mon. Don't tell me you're not intersted in the outcome __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

02-20-2009, 11:03 AM	#4
dar512 dar512 is now Pete Zicato Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago suburb Posts: 4,968	Why tempt fate? __________________ "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." -- Friedrich Schiller

02-20-2009, 11:09 AM	#5
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Will this work with pasteurized juice? __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

02-20-2009, 11:26 AM	#8
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	What is this Animal Crossing about? I'll have to check it out, getting a burned out on Toontown. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

02-20-2009, 08:23 AM	#2
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	Sundae...not to be a killjoy but are you sure this is a hobby you want to engage with?

02-20-2009, 11:37 AM	#9
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	'Tis a game on the Nintendo DS. You can get it on Wii, but that's far beyond my means. Also, if you invite other peoplr into your town you get all sorts of extra benefits - bah. I have no-one else to play with, so just get by with what I have... __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

02-20-2009, 11:55 AM	#11
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Very interesting. I know nothing about brewing so I can't comment on the soundness of the experiment, but it's neat anyway. When I was a kid, the local orchard sold fresh apple cider that was delicious. After a week or so, it would go hard, and I hated it after that. It was always disappointing for me then to pour a tall glass of cider only to have it be hard. I wonder what the alcohol content (if any) was. When does it turn to vinegar?

02-20-2009, 11:45 AM	#12
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	Sundae---whence did thouest proceed to ride the Water Wagon? My congratulations, at any rate--good work! To total tea is my intent as well. Demon Rum only creates extra work for the local constabulary and emergency personnel in my area. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

02-20-2009, 11:45 AM	#13
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	I agree with Dana, perhaps your mum & dad or someone else can let you know how good/bad it is. I'll shut up now. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

02-23-2009, 07:07 AM	#14
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Just a little update. The hard cider is not looking tempting at all! The brown scummed froth has receded. And it seems to be lighter in colour, so I assume things are underway. I brought it out for its photo opportunity, is usually lives in my wardrobe. Just realised it's only been 3 days I'm not a very patient person. Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

02-23-2009, 07:12 AM	#15
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	A More Acceptable Experiment, Perhaps? I am also making Pineapple Cooler, with a recipe from Delia. It's not alcoholic, and after all, if the recipe comes from Delia it's not really an experiment either. Still, it's made the house smell pineapply (or maybe just my fingers) and gives me a box full of fresh pineapple to eat, which can only be a good thing. Any Brits interested - pineapples are 69p at the moment from Aldi. It's lovely and simple - cut off the top and bottom and discard. Then slice the rest of the skin off, and into small squares. Add 1.5 pints of water. Cover and leave for a couple of days. It's supposed to be fizzy, light and refreshing. My only worry is that it will get knocked over in the mean time, but I can't think of anywhere else to put it! Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

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