Home Brew Cider- Im looking for tips!

Well, I have the apples, now what happens next?!

:-D

Does anyone have any recipes and instructions?

Id rather trouble you than Google!

Is it worth picking up a kit from Sainsburys?

The Elderflower champagne earlier in the year was delicious. So I thought Id consider giving this a go if its not too complex!

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Permalink Reply by elaine rickett on September 4, 2011 at 21:39

I am in the same position, millions of apples - I thought about juicing them but I don't reckon it will keep for long. What kit would you pick up from Sainsburys?

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Permalink Reply by Colin Robinson on September 4, 2011 at 22:55

We have 5 apple trees so I make cider every year. If not using proper cider apples you need to use a mix of different varieties for best results. I also bung in loads of crab apples as well.

My technique is crude but it works. Roughly chop the apples then put a layer in a plastic trug and bash them to a pulp with the end of a lump of 4x4 timber. (repeat this action till you have enough). Half fill a fermenting bucket with the pulp and top up with water. Leave for a couple of days and some natural fermentation takes place. Then I strain the pulp/liquid through a straining bag and put back into a sterilized vessel. Check the OG with a hydrometer at this point and add sugar to bring it up to around 1060. I add a sprinkle of champagne yeast, cover and leave for a few weeks. Then I rack off into demijohns with an airlock and leave for as long as it takes for fermentation to finish. If you want a bit of fizz then transfer to plastic bottles and add a teaspoon of sugar to each bottle. I've probably missed something out but if you do something like that you'll end up with a liquid that puts a smile on your face.

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Permalink Reply by Melinda Que_Linda on September 14, 2011 at 10:26

Hi Colin!

Thanks for the instructions!

Do you know anywhere on the high street I can pick up a hydrometer?

Is there anyway I can get away with improvising with equipment?

Saw this article in today's Guardian.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2011/sep/14/how-...

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Permalink Reply by Melinda Que_Linda on September 14, 2011 at 10:35

Cider brewing kit: http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.208-8284.aspx

40 pint Cider kit. Just add sugar and water to make 40 pints of delicious Cider. Easy step by step instructions. Cider at the fraction of the cost of pub prices or off licence.

Use with BrewBuddy starter kit or choose your own alternative equipment to suit

Apple Spirits kid: http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.207-9059.aspx


	Contains all equipment to make 120 shots of Apple spirit in just 5 days. Equivalent strength 15% abv. Excellent gift. Ideal for parties BBQ's or celebrations. All equipment is re-useable

They also have a kit for making blueberry shots!

I want it to be as simple as making limoncello.