Economy Size Geek

Amazon.com: Books: Cider : Making, Using & Enjoying Sweet & Hard Cider, Third Edition

Ok I just got this in my shipment from NorthernBrewer.com. I just in my ingredients for Koslch. I also got some 5 gal. kegs since we’re oging to be brewing a big batch for the wedding and I figured we might as well get started :)

The book is very good from the standpoint of making cider from start to finish. It really is a great guide - including how to make vinegars and such as well as how to make cider using wild yeast or champagne yeast.

I actually purchased some White Labs Beglian Heavy Gravity yeast to attempt another batch of cider. Last time we did champange yeast and it tasted terrible. I think there were two factors that contributed to it’s taste - the first was the yeast. I’m hoping the beer yeast will provide a better more mellow flavor. I’m also hoping that the yeast will give up the fermentation process before all the sugar in the juice mixture is processed leaving us with a sweeter cider.

I also learned in the book that there is actually a secondary fermentation process that can take place that mellows the flavor. I’m not sure how I’m going to trigger that second round - but that’s what the internet is for.

There is a huge chapter in the end on how to setup an apple brandy making system in your kitchen. Amazing how much alcohol one can make in one’s own house if one is up to it :)

Overall the only complaint I have about the book is that it is completely focused on the processing of fresh apples. I would be all for this method if I had an apple tree handy. I’m going to be buying organic juice and skipping about 5 steps. I wish he had at least discussed this option.