Rip off?

[Benjibanjo]

Hi all

I've recently bought a bulldog perfect cider kit for around £20, but after receiving bit disappointing as it's basically apple juice with a sachet of cider yeast and sweetener? Obviously I should have looked more into it appreciate its probably quality apple juice but still cant help feel robbed. I guess my question is if I was to have bought 5ltrs bog standard apple juice from the supermarket and cider yeast online for few £ could of saved myself best part of £15?

Cheers in advance if any replies?

 

[marshbrewer]

Is it not apple juice concentrate that you then make up to 23L with water? If so, you would need to compare the price with 23L of Apple juice plus yeast and sweetener.

 

[Benjibanjo]

Is it not apple juice concentrate that you then make up to 23L with water? If so, you would need to compare the price with 23L of Apple juice plus yeast and sweetener.

It is yeah just wondering if it would be cheaper guess I need to do some shopping about

 

[Leon103]

I think the question should be - can I make cider that is comparable to a £20 kit.
The answer would be yes. Plus you can make your own flavours by mixing juice

 

[Clint]

I was in Asda earlier...one litre of juice 55p=£12.65 for 23 litres,plus yeast,plus any other bits you might want to use...tea for tannin, nutrient. Plus the chance you won't like it and the palaver as things are,of going to pick it all up...

 

[Benjibanjo]

I was in Asda earlier...one litre of juice 55p=£12.65 for 23 litres,plus yeast,plus any other bits you might want to use...tea for tannin, nutrient. Plus the chance you won't like it and the palaver as things are,of going to pick it all up...

True safe bet I suppose

 

[VW911]

That's actually a very good price for that kit.
(Not that I would recommend it, though!)

 

[Benjibanjo]

That's actually a very good price for that kit.
(Not that I would recommend it, though!)

For the future what would you recommend? This is first cider kit I've had so got no room for comparison

 

[BrewMeHappy]

I tried a few different cider kits a few years ago with mixed results really, so I always make " turbo" cider from standard apple juice which I like and experiment with with a few fruit syrups.

I also like it that I can do it in 5l batches in demijohns so it's quick to do and you don't need it to condition much before drinking it. When you start running low it is easy to get one on the go to replenish your stock and it will be ready for drinking in a few weeks

 

[VW911]

Not really come across a "standout" cider kit, and I've tried a few.
The Fesival Oaked Apple Cider is good, but pricey...

 

[Benjibanjo]

I tried a few different cider kits a few years ago with mixed results really, so I always make " turbo" cider from standard apple juice which I like and experiment with with a few fruit syrups.

I also like it that I can do it in 5l batches in demijohns so it's quick to do and you don't need it to condition much before drinking it. When you start running low it is easy to get one on the go to replenish your stock and it will be ready for drinking in a few weeks

Hey thanks for reply I did look into doing a TC but as never done before thought I'd play it safe is their any resources/recipe you would suggest for future. Cheers again

 

[BrewMeHappy]

Hey thanks for reply I did look into doing a TC but as never done before thought I'd play it safe is their any resources/recipe you would suggest for future. Cheers again

It's easy. All in a 5L demijohn. For a standard cider, I usually do 3 cartons 1.5L of Lidl apple juice, 1cup of strong tea, 1 or 2 table spoons of normal white sugar depending on how I'm feeling (dissolved in some of the apple juice), and yeast. When it is bottling time after a couple of weeks, I usually add one or two sweetener tablets per bottle to taste, and then 1/2 teaspoon of white sugar for carbonation to each. Andy Bob's your uncle.

 

[Clint]

I do 23l juice,strong tea,citric acid,yeast.
Fanny's your aunt!

 

[Benjibanjo]

Cheers will do this next time and see how it compares thumb

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Hey thanks for reply I did look into doing a TC but as never done before thought I'd play it safe is their any resources/recipe you would suggest for future.

One of the best here - How to make Turbo Cider.

 

[Clint]

Ah...that's the recipe the other chap on another thread must have used....325g of priming sugar...and,myself included,advised that may be a bit much!
What do I know..??

 

[mitch]

It's easy. All in a 5L demijohn. For a standard cider, I usually do 3 cartons 1.5L of Lidl apple juice, 1cup of strong tea, 1 or 2 table spoons of normal white sugar depending on how I'm feeling (dissolved in some of the apple juice), and yeast. When it is bottling time after a couple of weeks, I usually add one or two sweetener tablets per bottle to taste, and then 1/2 teaspoon of white sugar for carbonation to each. Andy Bob's your uncle.

how much yeast for 1 DJ? I have the wilkos ale yeast 1 sachet 11g
TIA

 

[Graz]

You would hope the concentrated apple juice supplied in cider kits is made from cider apples, whereas the apple juice is the supermarket is made from sweeter specific varieties grown for their juice yield. I'm not sure you'd want to drink the juice from cider apples before fermentation as it can be quite sour though cider apples are often mixed with dessert apples for flavour and sweetness. Anyway I'd assume that's why you pay a premium for a kit over turbo cider but in reality who knows. Maybe you could ask Bulldog what apples their juice comes from.

Personally I've done a few turbo ciders and just the one kit cider (CiderWorks/Love Brewing). The kit cider was fine but took a few weeks to really come of age. The jury is still out for me and I'll continue to experiment with both.

 

[terrym]

You would hope the concentrated apple juice supplied in cider kits is made from cider apples, whereas the apple juice is the supermarket is made from sweeter specific varieties grown for their juice yield. I'm not sure you'd want to drink the juice from cider apples before fermentation as it can be quite sour though cider apples are often mixed with dessert apples for flavour and sweetness. Anyway I'd assume that's why you pay a premium for a kit over turbo cider but in reality who knows. Maybe you could ask Bulldog what apples their juice comes from.

Personally I've done a few turbo ciders and just the one kit cider (CiderWorks/Love Brewing). The kit cider was fine but took a few weeks to really come of age. The jury is still out for me and I'll continue to experiment with both.

Not all commercial 'English' cider is made from cider apples. My understanding is that whereas cider makers typically based in the West Country mostly do use cider apples, those in the East and South East of England tend to use a mix of dessert and cooking apples.

 

[BrewMeHappy]

how much yeast for 1 DJ? I have the wilkos ale yeast 1 sachet 11g
TIA

I normally use about half a sachet. It's more than enough and I could probably get away with using about a quarter.