Cider 101

[daryl]

I know there are at least several members that regularly make cider.

Would any of you be willing to step and put on a tech meeting as a prelude to our potential "Must Rally"? Would be good to get that set up prior to the TBD event.

I am thinking mid October, as I best it would be nice to do this at the end of October. Although they might want to backup the rally such that they could host a tasting event at the Orchard - as kind of a end of the season celebration.

If you are interested in leading or co-leading a tutorial, please Private Message (PM) me here.

Please leave this thread for discussing a Cider Tech Meeting....I will setup a New Topic on the event, when we work out the details with Wilson's Orchard.

[wyzzyrdd]

From what I recall, Wilson generally shuts down the orchard the last day of October.

I have made quite a bit of cider. I'd be happy to help teach classes.

However, cider the way I make includes several months of aging. A must rally this year means new product next year for me. I am not sure how things will work if they want to use late season apples (picked in October) and host a tasting yet this year.

[Schwerkraftbrauer]

From what I recall, Wilson generally shuts down the orchard the last day of October.

However, cider the way I make includes several months of aging. A must rally this year means new product next year for me. I am not sure how things will work if they want to use late season apples (picked in October) and host a tasting yet this year.

I was kind of wondering this myself about turn around in the same calendar year, is it something that's possible we pick up our must this fall, and host a tasting next spring to then be made at the cidery next late summer / fall?

[andrewmaixner]

With the right yeast selection and process it can turn around in just over a month. But that wouldn't leave time for interesting variations or spontaneous fermentation options

[daryl]

This is the type of information needed in order to pull off a quality event.

The Must Rally might be an event to bring their season to a close.

And then a tasting event sometime next year...there is no rush.

[wyzzyrdd]

From my limited experience:

Primary fermentation is over in a couple of weeks.

Malolactic fermentation, if you are going to do that, takes a couple of months.

Bottle conditioning cider after malolactic fermentation can take one or two months to fully carbonate, because the yeast is a bit old.

[daryl]

Our resident Cider Maker, Pat McCusker will enlighten us as to the process of making cider and will delight us with samples of ciders from his personal collection.

Pat never disappoints in his presentations, this is one you will not want to miss...it is going to be tasty.

We are shooting for Monday, Sept. 30 or Tuesday, Oct. 1....this will precede the Cider Rally by a week and a half.

For now, let's say the meeting will begin by 7:30 PM, the location will be selected based upon the number of RSVPs and will likely be one of our local breweries.

Chime in if you are attending.....I'm in and at this time, either day works for me!

[carrisr]

I'm planning on attending. Monday is better for me.

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[rmstevens]

I plan on attending as well.

[andrewmaixner]

While I'd love to, both days are bad, and have a low chance of me being able to attend

[wyzzyrdd]

Sounds cool. I think I can make.

[wyzzyrdd]

Do we have a place, day, and time yet?

I need to know today, if I am doing this tomorrow.

Patrick

[daryl]

Pat, if you have time to prepare, we will meet at 7:30 PM tomorrow; it is the only night Randy can make.

I'll get permission from either Local Craft Ale House or Iowa Brewing Company.

[wyzzyrdd]

Pat, if you have time to prepare, we will meet at 7:30 PM tomorrow; it is the only night Randy can make.

I'll get permission from either Local Craft Ale House or Iowa Brewing Company.

I can make 7:30.

[daryl]

I'll post the location sometime Monday afternoon.