johnnie
Well-Known Member
Hi everyone
I don't normally come on this part of the forum. I've been brewing AG ales for about 2 years now and want to have a go at cider using the apples from my garden, they normally end up on my compost heap. I don't know a lot about cider making so forgive me if my questions are a bit stupid.
So to my questions.
A lot of the apples have holes, bruised bits and are a bit grubby ect. Are these ok to use? AG brewing seems to be a bit more rigorous with sterilisation, but the posts and videos about cider making seem a lot more slap dash, just squeeze out the juice and pitch the yeast (sorry if this upsets the cider makers on here, but this is what I've seen on the net). Does the acid in the juice kill off the nasties?
I've also got some pears, probably about a 5 gal bin full. Can I add these to the pulp?
Should I sterilise the juice with a Campden tablet before pitching the yeast and if so how many per gallon?
What yeast should I use, wine or cider?
Hoping to get out at the weekend and pick the rest of the apples. I've borrowed an 18 L spindle press from my in laws who make wine. I don't want to cock up so any more advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks J
I don't normally come on this part of the forum. I've been brewing AG ales for about 2 years now and want to have a go at cider using the apples from my garden, they normally end up on my compost heap. I don't know a lot about cider making so forgive me if my questions are a bit stupid.
So to my questions.
A lot of the apples have holes, bruised bits and are a bit grubby ect. Are these ok to use? AG brewing seems to be a bit more rigorous with sterilisation, but the posts and videos about cider making seem a lot more slap dash, just squeeze out the juice and pitch the yeast (sorry if this upsets the cider makers on here, but this is what I've seen on the net). Does the acid in the juice kill off the nasties?
I've also got some pears, probably about a 5 gal bin full. Can I add these to the pulp?
Should I sterilise the juice with a Campden tablet before pitching the yeast and if so how many per gallon?
What yeast should I use, wine or cider?
Hoping to get out at the weekend and pick the rest of the apples. I've borrowed an 18 L spindle press from my in laws who make wine. I don't want to cock up so any more advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks J