In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

The Hard Cider Thread

Discussion in 'The Smokehouse' started by SKEETER McCLUSKEY, Sep 18, 2019.

  1. the fuse

    the fuse

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    This thread has gone dormant since the last cider season but I can't resist. I grew up in a house that actually had an old cider mill on the property. My Dad (born 1908) could remember when it was an active source of income for the family. At the end of every season, they'd take one barrel of hard cider and leave it out for the winter. Once it had frozen up.....all that would freeze....they'd pop out the bung hole and drain out what didn't freeze. Apple Jack kept them warmer through Feb. and March. :)
     
  2. SKEETER McCLUSKEY

    SKEETER McCLUSKEY

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    Last seasons...definitely improves with time its humid out and the glass fogged up 20210711_121702.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2021
  3. FatBoy85

    FatBoy85

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    Excellent! I'm always interested in making hard cider but haven't got the fridge room yet.
     
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  4. mrfancyplants

    mrfancyplants

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    ADBF3452-6465-45CE-B09A-FF70B5418598.jpeg 8DA726E5-FF21-43B2-8D33-2DB940523842.jpeg 03EA202D-E6B9-46C9-B6C8-B50955E6FCB4.jpeg 1D42B5F0-4142-40EE-9074-4401FAEBE84F.jpeg I make beer rather than cider (most of the time), but I’ve had some success pressure fermenting with kveik yeast next to the woodstove through the winter. I use a corny w a spunding valve. I bet it would work out nicely w some cider. Kveik at higher fermentation temperatures (~105f), throws some orange esters.
    I throw a split off toasted white oak in my beer and I’d imagine it would over power cider very easily flavor wise. But maybe a tiny piece nice and charred up?
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2021
  5. The Wood Wolverine

    The Wood Wolverine

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    Pretty cool seeing y'all making your own. I never have but do enjoy an occasional bottle. There is a fantastic maker very close to me. Check 'em out and try a bottle if you ever get the chance. My fav is the Barrel Aged.
    Home — Big Hill Ciderworks

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Flamestead

    Flamestead

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    Looking like a good crop on our pasture trees.
     
  7. bushpilot

    bushpilot

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    With the drought this year out West, not a single apple on any of our 3 trees.
     
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  8. clay shooter

    clay shooter

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    we have a place up the road from me.that makes cider you dont want to much of it. because your on your back i grew up on it,when i was 2 years old dad took me up the pub gave me some, took me home went to bed.mum said i sleeped all night and all day.good old dad.
     
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  9. M2theB

    M2theB

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    i was in Gloucestershire a few years ago witnessing an engine test at the small airport there. After the test, we went down the parking lot to a pub on premises. It’s there I had my first glass of Scrumpy.
    1/3 through it and I would’ve had to call cab if someone else wasn’t driving. And I was told that was the lite stuff.
     
  10. clay shooter

    clay shooter

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    what you want is the farm house cider.that will knock you right out,
     
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  11. FatBoy85

    FatBoy85

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    Ugh. Neighbor has pears growing but trees grow under the shade of a row of cedar Cypress crosses. One night it rained about a week ago out of the blue, not much but definitely need some rain for this state and all others in the area.
     
  12. FatBoy85

    FatBoy85

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    The alcohol % can be big ranges in cider that's for sure. Usually depends on how much sugar was in it during yeast growth. My lady she bought two cans if cider she normally doesn't get it much but she's indeed a lightweight. One 5.5 % can:whew. The next one was 9.5% :eek: and same company. It was a cider that had black currant in it, she's absolutely in love with that stuff.
     
  13. Flamestead

    Flamestead

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    I’ve got 15+ trees with a pretty heavy crop of wild apples, like in my pic, above. Some are starting to drop. I assume it is best to leave them on as long as possible before picking for cider? These are in a cattle pasture so I won’t be doing drops.
     
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  14. Flamestead

    Flamestead

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  15. Flamestead

    Flamestead

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  16. Flamestead

    Flamestead

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  17. Flamestead

    Flamestead

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    Happening at a friend’s place. I am apples and labor, he is equipment and expertise. 3.22 pH, 11 brix, expecting dry, 5% alcohol. This batch is 22 gallons.
     
  18. bushpilot

    bushpilot

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    Yum! I am working on a cyser (apple mead) I made last year. It is a little stronger, about 9%, and amazingly good.
     
  19. eatonpcat

    eatonpcat

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    Nice Brother!
     
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  20. Flamestead

    Flamestead

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    Not cider, but fermented fruit, so tossing it into this thread..,
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