I've literally just finished bottling this year's. Not a huge volume, about 40L cider from ~120kg apples, mushed with a tarmac tamper in a trug then pressed. Bottled after 3 and a bit weeks in the barrel, the secondary fermentation will be in the bottles, french style. Best get me head down now if I'm up for first light stalking...
Cider
- Thread starter VSS
- Start date
Many moons past I used to shoot on a small walked up syndicate with John Thatcher of cider fame.
A lovely chap who knew more about apples than anybody on here knows about deer
.
Also completely ambidextrous, shot right handed off his left shoulder, very odd to see.
I used to make a few gallons of the mad apple and when I asked him his best advice was to mix as many varieties as possible.
Another little syndicate I used to get the odd day with had their own cider but the deadly practice of drinking it with a slice of orange and a “splash” of gin!! they called it a dogs nose. One felt fine on that when in the comfort of the shoot shed, only to lose all horizontal control when leaving and encountering the cold night air.
Sorry, bit of a ramble, happy memories though.
“Wassail!”
A lovely chap who knew more about apples than anybody on here knows about deer
.Also completely ambidextrous, shot right handed off his left shoulder, very odd to see.
I used to make a few gallons of the mad apple and when I asked him his best advice was to mix as many varieties as possible.
Another little syndicate I used to get the odd day with had their own cider but the deadly practice of drinking it with a slice of orange and a “splash” of gin!! they called it a dogs nose. One felt fine on that when in the comfort of the shoot shed, only to lose all horizontal control when leaving and encountering the cold night air.
Sorry, bit of a ramble, happy memories though.
“Wassail!”
That sounds rather interesting to see!
Sadly not according to Google.
Some of the older Devon members may remember the Cider Bar in Newton Abbot that specialised in local ciders. At one time it had a bit of a reputation, as the rocket fuel they served caused a few "incidents". It's quieter now but it was certainly a place to take visitors to the area to sample their ciders, all it needed was a small quantity to let them know what cider is capable of!
Overlay
Well-Known Member
Oh blimey
That’s sad
Spent many an afternoon having a refresher many many moons ago
Lovely little country pub, getting a rare commodity now a real pub
shakey jake
Well-Known Member
Usually just chop, juice and ferment. But I'm thinking of adding a cider yeast this year, just to make sure. Relying on the natural yeasts in the apples is OK until it isn't!
I'm sure the deer would eat it, Dont know if they would get drunk if it had fermented in the sack before being fed to them.
Perhaps worth a try on the fallow, let it ferment.... a lot, then feed it to them and see if it numbs their senses enough to give us a fighting change when there's a whole herd of eyes watching out for us My pulp goes to a friend to feed to the turkeys. I'm sure I can taste apples in the Xmas turkey, but that might just be my imagination.
The Left over pressings might make good feed if you have access to a flight pond or feeding a splash when one presents itselfI'm sure the deer would eat it, Dont know if they would get drunk if it had fermented in the sack before being fed to them.
My pulp goes to a friend to feed to the turkeys. I'm sure I can taste apples in the Xmas turkey, but that might just be my imagination.
Essexsussex
Well-Known Member
I had to last minute do that last year - quite acidic last year (pre malo) which held the natural back and I was very nervous when it hadn’t taken off in time…safer, but I reckon it kills the flavour a little by speed of fermentation. I’ll still maybe add it again this year. Decide tomorrow!
If it doesn't taste right when it's done, add half a bottle of cheap brandy per 5 gallon barrel. You won't really care what it tastes like after the first glass.
oh yea added a jar of honey to my turbo cider took 2 weeks to " mature " lol after 2 x 1/2 pint glasses my legs stopped working !I made Turbo Cider once. Filled a Demi-john with apple juice, extra sugar, and a high-alcohol 'Turbo' yeast. Was done in around five days. Tasted horrendous, and got you legless before you'd finished a glass. Think it was around 16%. I don't recommend it
The only time I was involved in 'real' cider-making was a trip to Dorset when I was around 15. The farm we stayed on made its own, and we were there as they were pressing the apples. The juice was delicious, and I was 'encouraged' to drink as much as I liked.
When I came out of the bathroom it had gone dark
Len the dog
Well-Known Member
Funnily enough just this evening I dug out a bottle of my last attempt at proper cider with the apples off my allotment, a very well aged 2019 vintage. The last time I tried it some years ago it was far too acidic to be drinkable but since then it would appear that it has undergone a further malolactic fermentation in the bottle.
I have to say it was rather good, but the real shame is that I unwittingly used a faulty batch of crown caps and so far half of those that I’ve opened have been compromised.
I have to say it was rather good, but the real shame is that I unwittingly used a faulty batch of crown caps and so far half of those that I’ve opened have been compromised.
big ears
Well-Known Member
I know several people that I know for a fact have been to the Cider Bar in Newton, but have no recollection of the event!Been there twice. I think
Essexsussex
Well-Known Member
Ready to rumble!!!
I spent some time at Seale Hayne so I remember it…..
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