Turbo Cider - a question or 2

Super-Rush · 25-03-2014 12:03pm

I must crack open a bottle tonight. Have about 25 litres in the spare room that I made last May.

Khannie · 25-03-2014 12:13pm

giftgrub wrote: »

Theres a shed, but would it be too cold there? Its been 9 or 10 degrees at night in Dublin over the last week or so

I think a blanket is worth about 2 degrees. The fermentation does create some heat.

wotswattage · 30-03-2014 5:16pm

Cider is go as of Wed afternoon!
OG of 1050 and it's fermenting like mad inside.
Certainly smells a bit more than my two previous beer attempts...

The layer of scum has formed on top, do you guys just leave that as is or should I break it up every now & again with the paddle? If I break it up I'll be giving it plenty of settling time before bottling.

stuchyg · 30-03-2014 6:49pm

wotswattage wrote: »

Cider is go as of Wed afternoon!
OG of 1050 and it's fermenting like mad inside.
Certainly smells a bit more than my two previous beer attempts...

The layer of scum has formed on top, do you guys just leave that as is or should I break it up every now & again with the paddle? If I break it up I'll be giving it plenty of settling time before bottling.

Just leave it be, introducing anything is risking infection, it will settle out in the next couple days itself

wotswattage · 30-03-2014 6:53pm

Ok cool I was thinking it would be permanent..

I leave the paddle in the fermenter the whole time anyway so that shouldn't be too much a risk.

stuchyg · 30-03-2014 6:56pm

wotswattage wrote: »

Ok cool I was thinking it would be permanent..

I leave the paddle in the fermenter the whole time anyway so that shouldn't be too much a risk.

I've never heard of anyone leaving a paddle or anything that's not wrapped in a Muslim bag in a fermenter, have you made beer/cider before?

wotswattage · 30-03-2014 7:10pm

In the original post you quoted I say I've made beer twice before.

From my researching before I started it seems quite a common thing to do.

stuchyg · 30-03-2014 7:11pm

wotswattage wrote: »

In the original post you quoted I say I've made beer twice before.

From my researching before I started it seems quite a common thing to do.

Fair enough but can't say of ever done nor heard of anyone that has but if it worked previously for you then have at it brother

wotswattage · 30-03-2014 7:18pm

Think it was on the Craigtube youtube channel he recommended doing it, I certainly saw it on 2 or 3 different places anyway. Seems easier than re-sanitising the paddle if you want to give the brew a stir at any stage.

My first two beers were excellent so if it ain't broke...!!

flanaganred · 30-03-2014 7:37pm

I tasted a bottle I made last summer, the artificial taste from the sweetener is finally gone,I noticed a marked improvement after around six months but its hard to leave them alone for that long!

Lovely Bloke · 31-03-2014 6:51am

flanaganred wrote: »

I tasted a bottle I made last summer, the artificial taste from the sweetener is finally gone,I noticed a marked improvement after around six months but its hard to leave them alone for that long!

I've got Turbo Cider in a press that I made 3 years ago - about three pints left from a 10 litre batch.

giftgrub · 01-04-2014 4:47pm

Put 15 litres on with Aldi cloudy juice on Friday, Am i right in remembering that a reading of around 1.000 is bottling time?

Also I'm going to get a capper and do it in 500ml glass bottles this time (used PETs) before.

Are they reliable enough for getting a good seal?

flanaganred · 01-04-2014 4:54pm

Baldy Conscience wrote: »

I've got Turbo Cider in a press that I made 3 years ago - about three pints left from a 10 litre batch.

Does it still carry on improving after a year?I wonder how long it can be kept

matrim · 01-04-2014 7:13pm

flanaganred wrote: »

Does it still carry on improving after a year?I wonder how long it can be kept

I found a couple of bottles from a batch that I'd made last summer and had them about 2 weeks ago. They were a good bit nicer that what I remember from the fresh batch

giftgrub · 16-04-2014 10:32pm

Bottled 15L on friday, just stuck another 20 on tonight... Setting myself up for the summer

Elbow · 17-04-2014 8:05pm

Just did a quick gravity check on my latest batch and obviously there was no point in pouring the sample down anything other than my throat ðŸ˜

Looking (and tasting) very promising, used a mixture of black & green tea, half a jar of organic honey and white labs cider yeast in this batch and its definitely the best to date, sooner it's ready to be drunk the better!

tommiet · 02-05-2014 8:28pm

Just goin sampling a few bottles of cider tonight, I have fresh cider pressed from, apples, I've a cranberry apple juice blend and some cloudy Aldi juice and I've bottles marked 24 July 2013.

laurence997 · 03-05-2014 12:23pm

tommiet wrote: »

Just goin sampling a few bottles of cider tonight, I have fresh cider pressed from, apples, I've a cranberry apple juice blend and some cloudy Aldi juice and I've bottles marked 24 July 2013.

Well?

tommiet · 04-05-2014 9:15am

well....

Cider was great, the cranberry apple blend was very good and looked good too, like a well known brand, it was 9 liters of cloudy apple juice and 1 of cranberry juice light, 3 tea bags, all from Aldi, they did need sweetening, only had artificial sweeteners, the fresh stuff was very clear, a bit dry, so again sweeteners, would have preferred apple juice to sweeten... the other batch was 10L cloudy apple juice, 3 tea bags, raisins, all so great, all were aged 6 months plus, the 24 of July bottles were cloudy apple,tea bags, no raisins, (had to check the dairy) 6 months is long enough...

Was sampling beer last night, a light ale... nice...

giftgrub · 08-05-2014 10:19am

Ive had a batch in a primary for over three weeks now, still havent got around to bottling because of work/kids/life etc, will it still be ok?

laurence997 · 08-05-2014 10:28am

giftgrub wrote: »

Ive had a batch in a primary for over three weeks now, still havent got around to bottling because of work/kids/life etc, will it still be ok?

Should be perfectly fine. I had a batch in for over a month and it tastes great.
While it might not be the best idea to leave it sitting there for too long - once it finishes fermentation it no longer produces co2 to keep that protective 'layer' over it - it's probably not gonna do it any harm. It will still need a good few weeks in the bottle though, the extra time in primary doesn't make up for that.

wotswattage · 08-05-2014 2:29pm

Got around to tasting mine last weekend and it was really good!
4 weeks in primary, only 1 in the bottles!!! I just couldn't wait... Looking forward to it tasting better in another week or 2.

I used two sweetener tabs per bottle and more or less stuck exactly to the recipe from the start of this thread.

Khannie · 08-05-2014 2:49pm

The difference between one week and two is like night and day. After 2 months it's absolutely delicious.

wotswattage · 08-05-2014 4:22pm

I know I shouldn't have been tasting after only a week, but there were a few home brew fans over and we cracked open a few bottles just out of curiosity and were all astounded at how nice it tasted! Great carbonation too.

Khannie · 08-05-2014 9:35pm

Oh I've tasted it after two days. Just for science, like.

wotswattage · 09-05-2014 1:31am

sham69 · 04-06-2014 9:40am

BeerNut wrote: »

I'd give it another two or three months before trying another bottle.

Well I finally admitted defeat.
I tasted another bottle last week and it hadnt really improved (has been in the bottle since 26th December)

I reckon the yeast was dead or something as I didnt see any activity when I had it in the fermenting bucket.

Anyway, orderded 2 plastic demijohns, some cider yeast and started again.
Its definitely fermenting this time, loads of activity, lots of brown gunk at the top of the demi.
Its been fermenting since Friday and looks good.

Elbow · 06-06-2014 7:39pm

Just had my first bottle of the batch I brewed in April, the honey definitely adds somthing to the brew, best batch to date by far!

Khannie · 08-06-2014 1:27pm

Oh that reminds me. I've been meaning to do a batch with some honey for a while now.

flanaganred · 10-06-2014 9:34am

Elbow wrote: »

Just had my first bottle of the batch I brewed in April, the honey definitely adds somthing to the brew, best batch to date by far!

Brewed a batch with two jars of orange blossom honey and used safale so4 ale yeast it is also my best batch to date,didn't ferment to dry and like you say the honey adds another dimension

blueshed · 11-06-2014 6:55pm

picked up some 5L cartons of pure apple juice from the Lithuannian shop on main st Blanchardstown at €7.

going to try these next week, 1 im going to add the raisins n tea bags and the other just the yeast.

being busy last few weeks and bottled 4 different turbo ciders

5L mixed with rhubard, 5L mixed with raspberries, 5L mixed with elderflower, 5L mixed with ginger.

also bottled a gorse wine and a dandelion wine and plan on an elderflower wine this wend.

Khannie · 11-06-2014 10:23pm

Is that from concentrate?

blueshed · 12-06-2014 8:02am

Khannie wrote: »

Is that from concentrate?

Nope, not from concentrate

The One Doctor · 18-06-2014 10:46pm

Khannie wrote: »

Oh that reminds me. I've been meaning to do a batch with some honey for a while now.

It's technically called 'cyser' and it's fecking great. Just bottled a TC today and it's essentially tasteless after 10 days. Never fear, it won't be wasted.

I will. But it won't.

Paddy The Pirate · 23-07-2014 8:13pm

Hey! I hope this isn't a question asked too many times, but would I have all the equipment I need if I get this kit:

http://www.homebrewwest.ie/33-l-brewsmarter-starter-kit-for-cider-1059-p.asp

Or do I need another barrel? Apart from that I think I'm right in that all I need is : Apple juice, raisins, tea and sweetener?

Khannie · 28-07-2014 12:00pm

Yep, that should do you for your first brew. Don't forget to buy yeast.

NewCorkLad · 31-07-2014 11:36am

My turbo cider should be ready for bottling soon. The fermentation seemed to slow down very early on I will test it soon and see whats happening. I plan on priming using 2 litres of the cloudy apple juice just wondering could i batch prime using the apple juice in the first fermentation bucket or would I need a secondary bucket?

Donadea Leo · 31-07-2014 12:02pm

NewCorkLad wrote: »

My turbo cider should be ready for bottling soon. The fermentation seemed to slow down very early on I will test it soon and see whats happening. I plan on priming using 2 litres of the cloudy apple juice just wondering could i batch prime using the apple juice in the first fermentation bucket or would I need a secondary bucket?

you ll need the 2nd bucket, put the apple juice in first and syphon in the cider on top, try to keep the cider flowing in the same direction creating a very calm whirlpool. That should mix it fairly evenly. That's the case with beer anyway i guess cider is the same.

NewCorkLad · 31-07-2014 12:06pm

Donadea Leo wrote: »

you ll need the 2nd bucket, put the apple juice in first and syphon in the cider on top, try to keep the cider flowing in the same direction creating a very calm whirlpool. That should mix it fairly evenly. That's the case with beer anyway i guess cider is the same.

Thanks only ordered secondary bucket today so I will just have to wait.

Khannie · 31-07-2014 12:55pm

Instead of waiting, you could just bottle and add in some sugar to the bottles for priming (probably handier than priming with the apple juice).

NewCorkLad · 31-07-2014 12:59pm

Its not 2 weeks fermenting yet so gonna hang on my supplies could still arrive.

Donadea Leo · 31-07-2014 1:11pm

NewCorkLad wrote: »

Its not 2 weeks fermenting yet so gonna hang on my supplies could still arrive.

you could divide your 2 litres of apple juice by x amount of bottles and put your small measure of apple juice in each bottle and top up.

NewCorkLad · 31-07-2014 1:14pm

Donadea Leo wrote: »

you could divide your 2 litres of apple juice by x amount of bottles and put your small measure of apple juice in each bottle and top up.

I have a splenda substitute I will use if my order doesnt arrive and I have to go straight to bottle, dividing up the priming juice could get messy.

Donadea Leo · 31-07-2014 1:25pm

NewCorkLad wrote: »

I have a splenda substitute I will use if my order doesnt arrive and I have to go straight to bottle, dividing up the priming juice could get messy.

fair enough patience is an essential ingredient with the home brewing after all.

Donadea Leo · 31-07-2014 1:37pm

Donadea Leo wrote: »

fair enough patience is an essential ingredient with the home brewing after all.

just in case, the sweetener will only add sweetness to your cider and won t carbonate it for you. You ll need the apple juice or sugar for carbonation.
equally the apple juice or sugar wont sweeten the cider when entered at bottling stage as the sweetness will be fermented out.
so you need to add both if you want a bit of fizz and some sweetness. Also make sure the sweetener isn t aspartame based. It has to be sucralose it ll say it on ingredients. If you want to avoid the sweetener then mix with apple juice when you are drinking it. I.e. In the glass.

you may already know all this but if not it may save some disappointment.

NewCorkLad · 31-07-2014 1:54pm

Donadea Leo wrote: »

just in case, the sweetener will only add sweetness to your cider and won t carbonate it for you. You ll need the apple juice or sugar for carbonation.
equally the apple juice or sugar wont sweeten the cider when entered at bottling stage as the sweetness will be fermented out.
so you need to add both if you want a bit of fizz and some sweetness. Also make sure the sweetener isn t aspartame based. It has to be sucralose it ll say it on ingredients. If you want to avoid the sweetener then mix with apple juice when you are drinking it. I.e. In the glass.

you may already know all this but if not it may save some disappointment.

Thanks you just saved my cider I thought it was apple juice or sweetner. I will have to check my sweetner for aspartame or sucralose, it is the sweetner from aldi if you have used this 1.

Donadea Leo · 31-07-2014 2:12pm

NewCorkLad wrote: »

Thanks you just saved my cider I thought it was apple juice or sweetner. I will have to check my sweetner for aspartame or sucralose, it is the sweetner from aldi if you have used this 1.

i haven't used the one from aldi. You could leave it out at bottling stage and add to glass when drinking, it doesn't matter so much if its aspartame based as far as i know if you use it this way. I have made a few small batches and added splenda tabs (crushed) 2 per bottle and then added apple juice to glass for some extra sweetness when drinking it. I don't drink too much cider so don't mind the extra effort.

blueshed · 31-07-2014 4:58pm

i go with about 50ml of cloudy AJ in each 500ml btl and either 1 or 2 of the Lidl sweetner tabs in each btl.

calnand · 31-07-2014 6:37pm

I completely forgot I have a few bottles of this, gave a few to friends and they loved it, so making 20L for them soon, I normally hate cider but I love this, especially after leaving it alone for a while, it's now about 2 months in the bottle and i have only 2 left, must make another batch soon. has anyone ever used the craft range cider yeast , I'll be making an order soon and saw this, anyone know much about it?

Paddy The Pirate · 02-08-2014 11:59am

Got all of my cider bottled on Thursday! To avoid using artificial sweeteners I used Xylitol, and primed with the Lidl apple juice, now I just have to wait!

Turbo Cider - a question or 2

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