Basic Brewing Video - Apple Jack - February 26, 2011

[aikidojoe1]

how would you age that please?

[Sirchud68]

So my one gal. of cider made enough applejack to fit in a fifth bottle. Should I keep that refrigurated or does it matter?

Thanks!

[basicbrewing]

@Sirchud68 Doesn't really matter, but it will age more slowly cold. - James

[Sirchud68]

I made a jug of mead about 6 months ago, never removed the dead yeast. It's still sitting in my closet. Do you think that has ruined it?

[basicbrewing]

@Sirchud68 Not necessarily. Only one way to find out: give it at taste! - James

[kakasibatosi]

Did you guys let any of the bottles age further? If so, have you tried them since then, and how did they come out? I'm currently experimenting with a myriad of yeasts across cider and juice alike. Also have 1 5 gallon batch kegged and aging away with 3 months left until I plan on tapping it. Happy brewing!

[basicbrewing]

@kakasibatosi I don't think we aged any bottles, unfortunately. Sounds like you're having fun! - James

[jamesgang94591]

I used a dry yeast in my Mott's apple juice and did just as you suggested with the foil. After about 3 days it was finished fermenting and I racked to a second container before placing in the freeze. The taste before freezing was very dry and the back sweetening will need to be done.

Although it is taking a long time to freeze and I'm having to turn my freezer down to it's lowest setting. Did you have any trouble getting your cider to freeze completly?

[basicbrewing]

@jamesgang94591 If it's a higher alcohol cider (or beer), it's going to be harder to freeze. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. The barleywines I've frozen were more slushy than this cider. This made the process of draining out the ice beer more quick than if the beer had been frozen solid. - James

[darrenfoulds]

James and Steve, your Basic Brewing videos are so much fun. I'm so surprised that you don't have more views. Keep it up!

[basicbrewing]

@darrenfoulds Thanks! We have many, many more downloads through our podcast feed. Search for us on iTunes. You can find both our audio and video podcasts there. We have around five and a half years of episodes in the archives. More than is posted on YouTube. Happy brewing! - James

[darrenfoulds]

@basicbrewing I found BasicBrewing Video two+ years ago through your video podcast. I've only recently been subscribing to YouTube channels and searched for yours.

Considering the quality of information and production your videos have, I expected you to have more views. But, I bet you get most of your views through iTunes and your video podcast. Never the less, I'll do what I can do to get the word out about the BasicBrewing YouTube channel. :)

Cheers!

[basicbrewing]

@darrenfoulds Thanks!

[aikidojoe1]

hi guys, on making the apple jack, you mentioned spices.....do u think it would hurt to put in a couple cinnamon sticks while it ferments?...im fermenting cider now but after i bottle that i will try the apple jack..looks like a good drink before havn a turkey dinner lol sheers..i mean cheers

[basicbrewing]

@aikidojoe1 Sounds like a tasty idea. Let us know how it turns out.

[woodsxdragon]

jacking a cider/wine is still considered a felony...

[basicbrewing]

@woodsxdragon Actually, no. Before we tried making ice beer, I contacted a representative from the TTB, and here's what he said:

"Under TTB regulations, the method used to make ice beer is not considered distillation. Any concerns TTB has about a brewer’s method to make ice beer and the amount of ice that is removed is in regard to proper tax classification, which is not applicable to home brewers brewing beer for personal or family use (as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5053(e))."

[BMan1113VR]

A good "spice" idea for the applejack: OAK ;)

[gargoylesama]

I am looking to starting up some cyser. The idea of the freeze concentrating it into an 'apple brandy' is intriguing.

[mikeyfazed]

I agree with the listener's letter... my ciders were kind of gross until 6 months after bottling, then they turned out tasty.

Also, the yeast nutrient addition stops the yeast from being stressed out and releasing sulfur dioxide.

[basicbrewing]

@mikeyfazed Cool. I think with our low gravity cider, the yeast wasn't stressed very much. Plus, we way over-pitched for such a small volume. However, once you start adding sugar to boost the ABV, yeast nutrient is probably a good idea.

[BMan1113VR]

@basicbrewing Keep in mind that cider (as with honey) is very low in the nutrients that yeast like/need for a healthy fermentation. I'd say yeast nutrient is practically a must (no play on words) in any cider or mead!

[domu888]

I do hope Steve didn't drive afterwards.

[basicbrewing]

@domu888 Small samples and time chatting after the show are important.