- Instructions for Simple Hard Cider-
from Hauntedbay.com
Ok, here is what you do, get juice, add yeast, and wait! No,
seriously that's all there is to it. Ok, well, for those of you who need
a little more instruction here are the step by steps.
- Of course the very first thing you'll want to do is to is gather
together all the items we've suggested from the list above. If you
need more help with a particular item you can click on it to get a
pop-up with more information.
- Make sure your apple juice is at room temperature and start
preparing your yeast according to the manufacturers directions. If
you are using dry yeast now is the time to re-hydrate it, if you use
a "smack pack" style yeast you can break the inner seal,
and if using a pitchable tube allow to warm to room temp.
- Now you need to wash and sanitize everything that will come into
contact with the cider. Thoroughly wash your fermenter and airlock
with detergent and rinse well. Sanitize according to your sanitizers
instructions. Remember, sanitizers can't sanitize a dirty container.
- Add apple juice to your container making sure to aerate well.
Splashing the juice incorporates air into the liquid for the benefit
of the yeast.
- Add (pitch) yeast to the fermenter.
- Place lid on container and add airlock with a little water in it.
- Place your container in a spot where the temperature will remain
consistently in the mid to high 60's. The ideal temperature will
depend on your choice of yeast but all yeasts will work in this
range.
- When bubbling in you fermenter has stopped completely, usually in
a week or two, you have cider and it's time to bottle! It's very
important that you make sure all bubbling has stopped. Bottling
still fermenting cider is potentially dangerous. When in doubt wait
it out!
- Clean and sanitize your second container and your tubing as you
did for your fermenter. If you plan on using a bottle filler you
will need to sanitize this as well. You will also need to clean and
sanitize your bottles. Bottle caps need only to be sanitized.
- Siphon (rack) your cider to the sanitized container being careful
not to splash the cider nor disturb or pick up the layer of yeast on
the bottom of your fermenter.
- Now if you want sparkling cider you will need to add 3/4 cup corn
sugar to the cider. This is to give the yeast a little extra sugar
to produce carbonation. If you like still cider you simply omit the
sugar.
- Siphon your cider into the sanitized bottles leaving approx.
1" of headspace at the top of each bottle. Cap and store in a
warm place for one or two weeks to allow the yeast time to carbonate
then refrigerate.
- Uncap a few bottle and enjoy!