Cider
Cider time again! The apples were sparse this year - the weather was not friendly. We managed to pick about 4-5 bushels, compared to last year's 7 bushels. We went to Hahn's apple orchard and press in Ada as we have for many years. It is a very well run operation, with an automatic washer and a conveyor to an overhead pulper that drops the apple pulp into the pressing flats. They stack 4'x4'x6" flats, four flats for a pressing. Since we had fewer apples than normal, we bought four bushels of "cider" apples (better than we picked) from Hahns, at $4/bushel. Total of 22+ gallons for $31.
Now I have started the cider brewing process. We bought a couple more primary fermenters, because last year the carboys of cider that didn't go into the primary started fermenting anyway. I want to try one batch of straight cider, one of cider wine like the good one from last year with sugar to bring it up to wine strength, and one with honey to bring it up to strength, making it a cyser. I may have to add a bit of sugar or honey to the straight cider so it has enough alcohol for preservative effect.
Now I have started the cider brewing process. We bought a couple more primary fermenters, because last year the carboys of cider that didn't go into the primary started fermenting anyway. I want to try one batch of straight cider, one of cider wine like the good one from last year with sugar to bring it up to wine strength, and one with honey to bring it up to strength, making it a cyser. I may have to add a bit of sugar or honey to the straight cider so it has enough alcohol for preservative effect.