Have you ever made a cider that tasted flat and watery that made you feel like you wasted a bunch of time waiting for your cider to mature? Or, maybe the cider is too acidic? I know I have and I tried to correct it by adding sugar or apple juice concentrate but just...
Whether you are new to making cider or have many batches under your belt, you have probably popped off the airlock of a fermenter, went in for a sniff and were greeted with a nose full of sulfur. It’s certainly disappointing. When yeast becomes stressed or is...
Non fermentable sugars and sweeteners are the solution to a big challenge for the home cider maker. The problem is how to make a sweet cider that naturally carbonates in the bottle without overpressurizing the bottles. If you follow r/cider, you have probably seen the...
A common question I get from new cider maker’s about making sweet or semi-sweet cider is “how do I stop fermentation of my cider?” This question is generally asked for two reasons. The first is to stop active fermentation early to keep a cider sweet before it...
During my last trip overseas, I came across Henry Weston Vintage Oak Aged Cider while I was browsing ciders in Tallinn, Estonia. The Weston Cider was great, even at 8%+ ABV, the cider was smooth and the tannic properties along with hints of vanilla that the oak added...
Often people ask “what is the best cider yeast for making hard cider?” and that is tough to answer. It all comes down to style and preference because different varieties can change the process, taste and even visual appearance of hard cider. Commercial...
