First time cyser
84oz Organic Apple Cider (2/3 of a gallon)
1 1/2# Wildflower honey
10 raisons
Warmed to 70 deg, dumped into carboy. Shake, shake, shake to aerate
1/2t Red Star Pasteur Champagne yeast,
1/2t nutrient
Carboy with airlock, after 13 days, somewhat clear amber, 1" thick lees sludge & bubbling stopped
[Next time, I'll stir to aerate during first few days, and add nutrient in stages]
Original SG: 1.110
Fermented SG: 0.991 15.6% ABV
Re-racked to new carboy
Added 2fl oz honey + 8fl oz apple juice + 8fl oz water to sweeten & lower the ABV a bit
Updated SG: 1.004 13.9% ABV
Degassed by shaking & letting gas escape several times [or was that stupid to do??]
It still tastes a bit dry (which might be ok) and definitely on the harsh side (too harsh).
Now aging in the carboy with airlock, no obvious activity on day 2 of re-rack
* Is there anything else I should do besides let this age a month or two or three? I like cider
on the drier side, so not sure if I should sweeten this up more or not. I'm more concerned
about the harshness. My reading seems to indicate it will mellow with time. Sure hope so!
I also assume if I end up wanting more sweetness, I can add a little more honey or juice down
the road?
* I'd welcome any other observations or tips also, as I'm just learning
Thanks,
Zag
84oz Organic Apple Cider (2/3 of a gallon)
1 1/2# Wildflower honey
10 raisons
Warmed to 70 deg, dumped into carboy. Shake, shake, shake to aerate
1/2t Red Star Pasteur Champagne yeast,
1/2t nutrient
Carboy with airlock, after 13 days, somewhat clear amber, 1" thick lees sludge & bubbling stopped
[Next time, I'll stir to aerate during first few days, and add nutrient in stages]
Original SG: 1.110
Fermented SG: 0.991 15.6% ABV
Re-racked to new carboy
Added 2fl oz honey + 8fl oz apple juice + 8fl oz water to sweeten & lower the ABV a bit
Updated SG: 1.004 13.9% ABV
Degassed by shaking & letting gas escape several times [or was that stupid to do??]
It still tastes a bit dry (which might be ok) and definitely on the harsh side (too harsh).
Now aging in the carboy with airlock, no obvious activity on day 2 of re-rack
* Is there anything else I should do besides let this age a month or two or three? I like cider
on the drier side, so not sure if I should sweeten this up more or not. I'm more concerned
about the harshness. My reading seems to indicate it will mellow with time. Sure hope so!
I also assume if I end up wanting more sweetness, I can add a little more honey or juice down
the road?
* I'd welcome any other observations or tips also, as I'm just learning
Thanks,
Zag
