Every now and then I come up with a “good idea.” It is usually the kind of idea that somehow clicks and starts obsessively, and then leads to me learning an obscure hobby (see sourdough bread making and aquariums). This webpage is what started me on this quest…all blame (and potential credit) lies here.
Equipment:
Here is a list of all the stuff I bought…it could be a while before I break even.
| Description | Qty | Price | Total |
| 16″ Curved Siphon Stem | 1 | $1.99 | $1.99 |
| Carboy Brush | 1 | $5.99 | $5.99 |
| Star San 16oz | 1 | $11.00 | $11.00 |
| Airlock, 3 piece | 1 | $1.49 | $1.49 |
| 5/16″ Tubing | 4 | $0.45 | $1.80 |
| Tubing Clamp | 1 | $0.69 | $0.69 |
| #8 Drilled Stopper | 1 | $1.39 | $1.39 |
| Bentonite, 3oz | 1 | $1.49 | $1.49 |
| 71B-1122 Lalvin Yeast | 5 | $0.99 | $4.95 |
| 1 Gallon Unfiltered Apple Cider | 2 | $5.49 | $10.98 |
| Total: | $41.77 |
What I have done:
April 13
I started everything going on Sunday, April 13. I “pitched” the yeast following the directions found on this page:
- Sanitize the water stop
- Put 1/2 cup of warm water in microwave for 1-2 minutes
- Put spoon and thermometer in cup
- When temperature drops to 105°F, pour yeast in…DO NOT STIR
- Cover with clean paper towel
- Wait 15 minutes then stir and remove thermometer and spoon
- Pitch the yeast into the cider and add the water stop
April 27
I racked the cider into a new sanitized bottled.
May 4
I siphoned the cider back into the original bottle which I had washed and sanitized. This cider is really, really dry! It still tastes good, but it is no where near as sweet as Woodchuck or one of those commercial ciders. If you mix a little fresh apple cider with it in a glass, it tastes really good. I have to look up how to make sweet cider. The problem is that the yeast will not leave any sugar in the cider un-fermented.
Notes:
April 15
– Lots of bubbling. It smells sweet, but not too good. Fermentation is going on and I think it is going good.
April 20
– It has been a week, the fermentation has slowed down a lot. There is a lot less bubbling and it doesn’t smell much.
