Anybody make hard apple cidar?

[ducks4you]

I'm about to harvest scads of apples and I'd like to ferment some. Has anybody here made apples into alcoholic cidar?

 

[digitS']

I have, Ducks', but it has been about 40 years ago. It usually came out really good - one of the few alcoholic beverages that is just fine to drink without bottling and aging!

I say "usually came out really good" because it did! Then, something went wrong with a batch . . . I had no idea what the problem was so became a discouraged young brewer.

About all I can suggest is that you go to a brewing supply place and buy the yeast they recommend. That seemed to be the only secret to my success but there was some "other" reason for failure . . .

Steve

 

[lesa]

We did, last year. A friend had apples made into cider from their own trees. They brought us 4 gallons... Had to try some hard cider. As Steve says, the yeast is super important. I seem to remember we used champagne yeast. I can look for the recipe tomorrow. It was really delicious. If you try it, you won't be sorry.

 

[ducks4you]

Thanks for the advice. I'm too old to cut corners when I'm tackling something new.

 

[NwMtGardener]

Just stumbled across this really informative article in Mother Earth News on making hard cider...doesnt sound too complicated!!

http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/how-to-make-hard-cider.aspx

 

[ducks4you]

THANKS! Leave it to Mother Earth for good suggestions.