Real Cider Forum: Recent Posts

Real Cider Forum: Recent Posts http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ chat about cider and perry making online en-US Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:25:31 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.1 <![CDATA[Search]]> q http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/search.php rikeee on "Drinking Real Cider in Lancashire/Greater Manchester" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/drinking-real-cider-in-lancashiregreater-manchester#post-1162 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:16:26 +0000 rikeee 1162@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ A cheeky little post to promote my own establishment, The First Chop in Ramsbottom, Lancashire. We're a very friendly little place and welcome cider lovers with... 6 different Real Ciders!!! 5 Local ones.... Pure North (Holmfirth) Valley Gold 6% medium Pure North Deanhouse Dry 7% dry Dove Syke (Clitheroe) Ribble Valley Gold Medium Dry 6.2% medium dry Dove Syke Ribble Valley Gold Dry 5.6% dry Dove Syke Dabinett (single varietal) 7.2% bitter sweet and 1 from Wales!.... Gwynt y Ddraig Happy Daze 4.5% medium Jim Callender on "The Real Ale Company" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/the-real-ale-company#post-1021 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:03:49 +0000 Jim Callender 1021@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ give them a call to check them out! also a company house search will be able to tell you the finer details of how long the business has been formed, etc. Jim Callender on "Whats the nicest Cornish Cider?" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/whats-the-nicest-cornish-cider#post-1020 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:02:56 +0000 Jim Callender 1020@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ i think rattler has changed somewhat since trying to get on the cider / alcopop bandwagon.. here's a list of cider pubs in cornwall and the south west - <a href="http://www.real-cider.co.uk/cider-pubs-in-the-south-west/#corn" rel="nofollow">http://www.real-cider.co.uk/cider-pubs-in-the-south-west/#corn</a> and cider makers - <a href="http://www.real-cider.co.uk/uk-producers/#corn" rel="nofollow">http://www.real-cider.co.uk/uk-producers/#corn</a> I think even the Eden Project stocks cider from what i can remember. let us know how you get on! Jim Callender on "Help Needed For A Newby Please" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/help-needed-for-a-newby-please#post-1019 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:59:43 +0000 Jim Callender 1019@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ Hi Neil, The yeast will have started to ferment again in the bottles slightly, hence the fizzing when you let oxygen into the bottles on opening... Sounds like you have done the right thing to be patient and let the larger (without added yeast) to do it's thing.. Wild yeast does take longer to establish depending on the ambient temperature of where you are storing it. Wait until at least spring or early summer until tasting one of the bottles. this will allow the cider to mellow and the flavour become more balanced. Let us know how you get on! Jim Jim Callender on "Wassail 2012" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/wassail-2012#post-1018 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:56:18 +0000 Jim Callender 1018@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ thanks for sharing - if you want to post on this article then more readers may see your event - <a href="http://www.real-cider.co.uk/wassail-events-2012/" rel="nofollow">http://www.real-cider.co.uk/wassail-events-2012/</a> Wassail! J L on "Wassail 2012" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/wassail-2012#post-636 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:21:35 +0000 J L 636@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ Cider House of Wisconsin on Mahoney Rd. SW of McFarland (1,500 k west of the former colonies and 20 k SE of Madison) is hosting its third Wassail in its antique cider orchard and cider house on Saturday, 14 Jan 2012 at 16:00. We have no snow, but our juice is becoming real cider and our door is open to lovers of cider, singing, and friendship. RSVP appreciated. Neilyboy on "Help Needed For A Newby Please" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/help-needed-for-a-newby-please#post-552 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:02:58 +0000 Neilyboy 552@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ Hi All As the title suggests I am new to cider brewing. I am half way through production and do not want to loose what I have got so far. If I list what I have done to date, could you please advise on where to go from here. I collected from my garden, washed, pulped and pressed enough apples to 3/4 fill a 25L fermenting bin and also a larger (probably approx 40L)plastic container. This was about mid October time. SG was taken at this time and was 1055. I left these for a couple of days with the lids loosely fitted, then sealed the lids and fitted airlocks. I added 2 sachets of cider yeast to the 25L fermenting bin and left the other bin with just juce. The 25L bin started to bubble immediately. The larger bin (without added yeast) did not do anything for 4 weeks so I added 2 sachets of cider yeast to this also. Early December neither seemed to be doing anything (SG measured at 1005), so I decanted into 2L plastic fizzy drings bottles and they are now sitting in the (unheated) garage. There is approx a 25mm section of sediment in the bottom of the bottles and pressure is regularily building up. When I release this pressure, the sediment in the bottom goes mad for quite a while and a lot of fizzing occurrs. What do I do next ? Thanks Neil asm88 on "Rekorderling" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/rekorderling#post-336 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:03:13 +0000 asm88 336@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ I'm drink Rekorderling at the moment, not in great quantities, because it is very sweet but cleanses the palette perfectly. asm88 on "Whats the nicest Cornish Cider?" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/whats-the-nicest-cornish-cider#post-335 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:00:14 +0000 asm88 335@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ But I want new flavours to sample over the Christmas, anyone got any relatively unknown cider beverages to put forward asm88 on "Whats the nicest Cornish Cider?" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/whats-the-nicest-cornish-cider#post-334 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:59:19 +0000 asm88 334@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ I'm going to get the ball rolling by saying <a href="http://www.simplycornishhampers.com/ciders/">Cornish Rattler Cider</a> is a favourite of mine El Daskovic on "The Real Ale Company" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/the-real-ale-company#post-333 Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:33:02 +0000 El Daskovic 333@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ Hi, Has anybody ever ordered from this company before and if so did they have any problems or was everything ok? I'm thinking of ordering some cider from them but there is no contact number or company address so I am a bit dubious. I'm probably being paranoid but it's better to be safe than sorry. Thanks in advance asm88 on "Whats the nicest Cornish Cider?" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/whats-the-nicest-cornish-cider#post-332 Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:22:55 +0000 asm88 332@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ Which Cornish cider is the nicest and regains it's authenticity after every sip? Jim Callender on "Newbie: Fermenting has stopped." http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/newbie-fermenting-has-stopped#post-331 Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:12:49 +0000 Jim Callender 331@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ Hi Wolds, No it sounds like the yeast have done there job.. or no sugar left to ferment in juice. It could be the seal on the milk bottles had a leak and was letting the air out, i take it you didn't have bubble locks on these? If air is getting in, it may be game over - next stop - cider vinegar - smell or taste the juice to test this.. It's worth bottling them and storing until next year to see how they work out. You can also use cider yeast which you can buy rather than wine yeast.. ebay or a brewers shop will have these. woldsweather on "Newbie: Fermenting has stopped." http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/newbie-fermenting-has-stopped#post-330 Sun, 11 Dec 2011 13:38:41 +0000 woldsweather 330@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ My first attempt at cider making. Firstly I got 2 x 6 pint plastic milk cartons fermenting without added yeast, this stopped after a few days, so i added campden tablets then later added wine yeast, this never restarted fermenting. On another 5 gasllong batch, I used wine yeast from the start, it went well for 2 week, but now this has also stopped. Is all lost? pomme man on "magners fan site" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/magners-fan-site#post-329 Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:41:45 +0000 pomme man 329@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ Is it true that, by reference to the source of the majority of that which goes into the Magners alcopop, it would be better described as sino-der rather than cider? eggbanjo on "magners fan site" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/magners-fan-site#post-288 Sat, 26 Nov 2011 10:55:39 +0000 eggbanjo 288@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ I can only think that drinking Mangers out of women's boots might improve the flavour, or add flavour where there is none. Ian on "'Cider' Without Apples?" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/cider-without-apples#post-282 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:42:11 +0000 Ian 282@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ At the risk of stating the obvious - cider is (or should be) made from apple juice and nothing else and perry from pear juice. It follows therefore that you need a lot of fruit - and that's your problem. You could try making "cider" from other fruits that are more plentiful locally (it would be interesting at least). I live in Warwickshire which is home to a drink called Plum Jerkum. It's a sort of plum cider. I've made it with varying degress of success, but it demostrates that there is a precedent for making "cider" without apples. My advise to you would be to have a crack at home made wines. Unlike cider and perry (pure juice) the fruit in wine is used to flavour water - with sugar and a robust yeast leading to a more alcoholic drink than cider. I could suggest some recipes but it's probably easier if you just look on line Ian on "STOPPING FERMENTATION?" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/stopping-fermentation#post-281 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:19:04 +0000 Ian 281@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ First Post - I've been making cider and perry for quite a few years now with decent results. I've always gone for the traditional, "natural" approach i.e. put the juice in a shed, leave the natural yeats to do their work, rack it in February and drink it "when the first cuckoo sings". The result is a strong but very dry drink. This year I wondered whether to stop the fermentation at a certain point in order (I assume)to get a slightly sweeter drink. This years juice, which is slowly fermenting away at present, started with an OG of 1060. I'd be grateful for any advice based on others experience. 1. Should I stop the fermentation, if so with what? (Campden Tablet?) 2. When should I stop it? presumebably when the SG reaches some figure, if so what is it? 3. Any downsides or pitfalls? Cheers steelcanz on "HOW LONG CAN YOU KEEP CIDER FOR?????" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/how-long-can-you-keep-cider-for#post-280 Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:06:54 +0000 steelcanz 280@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ thanks alot :)) Stoat22 on "Advice" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/advice#post-279 Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:09:47 +0000 Stoat22 279@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ Ha Ha - not sure I could manage 16 gallons before it turns to vinegar. Just to update those interested - I fitted an oak bung (long enough for the end to be in contact with the cider so it didnt shrink & dry out) but I kept having to remove it to top the barrel up so I've now just fitted a standard air lock & will leave it until next spring. Although i'm not sure what i'm going to do with it all then - perhaps a big cider party! Slightly worried about potential dead yeast taint but i'm sure it'll be drinkable. I do have another 14 gallons as back up which i'm maturing in 2 fermenters & racking regularly so hopefully I should have something decent next year. jonewer on "'Cider' Without Apples?" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/cider-without-apples#post-278 Sun, 20 Nov 2011 14:08:07 +0000 jonewer 278@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ You can make cheap and nasty cider using apple juice from the supermarket. Google "turbo cider" for recipes. jonewer on "No activity" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/no-activity#post-277 Sun, 20 Nov 2011 14:05:52 +0000 jonewer 277@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ Airlock activity is a very poor indicator of fermentation activity. If the bucket isnt airtight (many arent) then the CO2 will just escape out of wherever it can rather than out of the airlock. Best thing to do would be to buy yourself a hydrometer. You can get these from any homebrew shop for about £2.50 a go. These things show you approximately how much sugar you have in your cider. Take a reading before you pitch the yeast (probably read about 1.045), then when you think its finished take another reading (probably about 1.000). The difference between the two will tell you how much alcohol you have in your cider. Bomber on "How many apples?" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/how-many-apples#post-276 Sat, 19 Nov 2011 22:31:13 +0000 Bomber 276@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ I made one of these. <a href="http://www.ukcider.co.uk/wiki/index.php/Homemade_Scratter" rel="nofollow">http://www.ukcider.co.uk/wiki/index.php/Homemade_Scratter</a> Great bit of kit. Cheers, B. jonewer on "How many apples?" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/how-many-apples#post-275 Sat, 19 Nov 2011 19:01:40 +0000 jonewer 275@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ Sounds OK. I'm going to be using wild apples and crabs, plus anything I can get off freecycle. Now just need to get a scratter and press together over the winter! Any ideas on the best way to bust an apple? Bomber on "How many apples?" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/how-many-apples#post-274 Sat, 19 Nov 2011 18:59:11 +0000 Bomber 274@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ Agree with Chickadee, Bal park figure is 2kg apples for one litre of juice. Cheers, B. chickadee on "How many apples?" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/how-many-apples#post-273 Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:17:26 +0000 chickadee 273@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ Hi, you're right it does depend on your equipment, but if you end up with a hand-operated press, I think you'd need about 50 kg of apples. We've been getting about 50-60 litres out of 80 kg, and you're looking for about 20 litres, but we've got a hydraulic press. Also depends on the type of apples you use, eg russet-type ones yield a lot less juice... Hope this helps! We're cidermaking beginners this year so probably not qualified to give much advice, but have been pressing apples for juice for donkey's so we're not too bad on quantities! chickadee on "Confused about yeasts & sulphur dioxide :O" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/confused-about-yeasts-sulphur-dioxide-o#post-272 Sat, 19 Nov 2011 14:54:16 +0000 chickadee 272@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ Thanks for these posts guys, much appreciated! pleased to say the juice started a-bubbling away a few days ago - which filled him with so much confidence he's only gone and done another 1,000 litres (in two days this time) and we're hoping with this mild weather that this should get going a bit more quickly. He measured the SGs today and they're coming out at roughly 7 & 7.5% which seems about par for cider made from dessert/culinary apples. He hasn't added any yeast (yet) to the second batch but is going to let nature take it's course for a bit. The jury's still out on the campden tablets for now. Thanks again, C. jonewer on "How many apples?" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/how-many-apples#post-271 Sat, 19 Nov 2011 14:17:56 +0000 jonewer 271@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ Hello all, I'm planning on making cider next autumn and was just wondering how many apples I would need to make a 5 gallon batch? I appreciate the yields will vary according to how good my as yet non-existant scratter and press will be, but a ball-park figure would be really helpful. Thanks! jonewer on "Hello" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/hello-1#post-270 Sat, 19 Nov 2011 14:15:17 +0000 jonewer 270@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ Hi, I'm an experienced home beer brewer looking to have a bash at cider. Have made some cheap and nasty turbo cider before but next autumn want to make the real thing. No experience with cider making and dont have any kit other than kegs, fermentation buckets etc. Cheers. Bomber on "My first ever attempt" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/my-first-ever-attempt#post-269 Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:37:37 +0000 Bomber 269@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ Eddie, The Campden tablets stop the yeast don't they? Should be added at the end of fermentation I believe if you are going to use them. With the fastest fermentation it's not going to take only two days. Cheers, B. Bomber on "Hi, New here" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/hi-new-here#post-268 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 23:58:02 +0000 Bomber 268@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ Hi new here, keen cider maker/drinker of four years. ATB, B. Bomber on "Advice" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/advice#post-267 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 23:22:55 +0000 Bomber 267@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ Key to keeping it is to keep the air out of it. The brew process will generate CO2. This will drive the air out. If you have 40 or 50 gallons in the brew tub and you drink it from there when finished, the volume of juice coming out will be replace by air and it will go off. For the barrel. if you can not get the air lock on it (best if you can) then the old method was the loes cork and cloth. When it stops hissing, remove the cloth and cork tight and I think wax. Today I would brew in the barrel then rack off into air tight containers. Either 25l food grade jerry cans or pressure kegs etc. Manicubes also good. This will keep it for as long as you like. Key is keep the air out or drink quick. second option is not a good one for your health. Cheers, B. Bomber on "cider explosion" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/cider-explosion#post-266 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 23:10:51 +0000 Bomber 266@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ Should be fine, CO2 will drive the air out. Fill your brew vessels less for the initial fermentation, when it backs off top up with fresh juice or some part brewed cider. Hope that helps. Cheers, B. Bomber on "Confused about yeasts & sulphur dioxide :O" http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/confused-about-yeasts-sulphur-dioxide-o#post-265 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 23:06:19 +0000 Bomber 265@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ CD, I have made cider for four years. About 840 L this year. I never add any campden tablets yet. I think if you have clean/screened fruit you can run the risk. I do not wash berore the scratter either as I know the fruit is clean. I add yeast after a day or so from pressing. Filling 1000 L over three days is not an issue as I see it. If your old man has not added campden by now don't let it brew. Mine are all in the garage and the ones not finished on the sugar fermentation are still brewing away. Cheers, B. . Bomber on "HELP! Please...." http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/topic/help-please#post-264 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:55:40 +0000 Bomber 264@http://www.real-cider.co.uk/forum/ MH, not sure if you got sorted. Sorry only found the site today and joined. I'm in Bris and have a scratter and a basic rack and cloth press. Could help out in future. Brewers Droop hire a press also I think. Your post was three weeks ago so I guess your pommace has either brewed in the bin and is chunky, you got help or is lost.. Cheers, B.