Ping the homebrewing list.
Interesting article on Hard Cider.
I don’t think I have ever had a hard cider. I would love to try it someday!
Below is a link to info on making a home brew cider. There as some very interesting comments below the article.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Home-Brew-Hard-Cider-from-Scratch/
It’s ridiculously easy.
Three or four gallons of fresh cider (it can be pasteurized but NO PRESERVATIVES! NO SULFITES! NO SORBATES! NO PRESERVATIVES!) and a good yeast ( a nice bottom settling ale yeast works best).
Give it about 5 days primary, then draught it off and let is settle for a day or so and bottle.
You won’t be disappointed!
Mrs. Renfield and I spent a week in Wiltshire last month, and, though surrounded by good ales, I opted to drink cider the whole time. I tried many regional and local brands and enjoyed all of them! I really like the Weston’s and Thatcher’s.
By the way, RD, I finally made it to Sergio’s in Louisville. That place is the Vatican Library of beers...well worth a visit. It has more rare, hard-to-find Belgian exotics than any place I have been.
I make hard cider every year. The biggest issue I have is finding fresh, unpasteurized juice. Thankfully, I am able to buy it direct from the orchard in the fall.
Cider is extremely easy to brew and is a crowd pleaser. Try it if you get a chance.
Cheers,
knewshound