My 1st Year of Ciderrrrr...'hiccup'

[danmon_81]

Well i've decided through several lucky coincidences that im making me some s'crumpy.....2010 is the year of the apple....

whats ther lucky coincidences i hear you ask????

Number 1 - my friend runs an private orchard and has a sh1t load of windfall from a variety of apples

Number 2 - i've been looking at spending on a press (£100) but decided it would be cheaper to build my own....so i've been looking at hard wood prices....when low and behold i come across a brand new 8ftx3ft oak door frame near a skip at work.......bit of asking and 30mins later its in the van!!!!

So i've got thursday afternoon off, i've drawn up the plans and just need to get the wood cut to size and get some bolts..

Im currently reading recipes......I'll post up progress on here....

anyone care to join me??

Dan

[rustylady]

Too far away to actually join you, but good luck with it.

[danmon_81]

I mean Virtually!!! Across the t'internet!

[taff]

I'll be happy to virtually watch your progress, especially as i want to give it a go next year if I can

[danmon_81]

this is what i intend on building:

The HomeBrew Forum • View topic - I've started cider ~ Now with Press ~ and Pulper ~

i'll be using a bottle jack though...Measure twice, cut once!!!

[SarzWix]

I heartily recommend this book for anyone contemplating serious cider-making: Real Cider Making on a Small Scale: Amazon.co.uk: Michael J. Pooley, John Lomax: Books
Well worth it for the price and has useful info on blends of apples and how to make up for any deficiencies in tannins, acid, sweetness etc.

[danmon_81]

Ordered...cheers Sarah!

[janeyo]

you need nothing at all for good cider except yeast. And patience.

[danmon_81]

Cheers Janeyo...i'll be following what you advised via pm....im gonna order some cider yeast.

Wood's been cut down to size at local timber yard (£3!!!) and coach bolts have been bought....turns out the wood is ash.

Grand total so far = £13

picking up the apples today

Saturday is construction day!!

[rustylady]

Good luck with it. Please let us know how you get on.

[janeyo]

we have just finished last year's brew. It was really good as it has been through the malolactic fermentation at some point.

OH has just been invited to go and see how the local 'pickled pig' cider maker does it. (This is great local cider). A friend of mine's hubby made their first press. OH is dead excited now, I think they get to do some sampling too.
And they let us go scrump loads of their apples.

Amazing what gets me excited these day lol

Good luck with your pressings!

[danmon_81]

just picked up around 1/4 ton (there abouts) of apples.....

Funny you should say that Janeyo my dad has a place in N.France and my brother and his band have been invited to play the local village cider festival in November....i might head over for a sample.

[danmon_81]

Well i've had a productive morning!!

Managed to finish the press....next its pressing the apples:

what i started with:


the outside frame:


Dont think springer cider would taste nice


the final product with drip tray (worktop - kindly donated by father inlaw)


Havent bought a bottle jack yet....gonna have a try with the car jack and see how i go on.

I bought the book Sarzwix suggested and its very good, especially the page with a diagram flow chart of what to do!!

Not sure whether to crack on with pressing tomorrow or not.

total cost so far: - £16.50 (book + Press)

[danmon_81]

around 50kg of apples pressed....around 12ltrs of juice in the barrel...







Of course Poppy had to help


I've decided if any vine (local) wants to borrow the press your welcome to...obviously picking up if possible or could drop off to you near wigan/ ormskirk.....you'd just need a container and a car jack...and apples!

I'd just expect it back clean and in one piece (and a sample of the hard work!!!)

[danmon_81]

well its been a week of fermenting and the cider is now in plastic demiijohns....i have around 9lts!
I spent some time in a local brewing shop (the chap has been there 40yrs!!)...they tested the juice for me and gave me some great advise!! I bought some equipment from them (spent £13)...

grand total = £29.50 (ok so not dead cheap but saves for next year)
Usual scrumpy Jack from supermarket - 18 cans (9ltrs) would be around £18 so im only around £10 down!

its already smells like cider....i'll be bottling in about 11 days, adding a bit of sugar to make it sparkling.