Batch 9 - Simple Cider

The last batch of cider was a hit. All 30 bottles are now gone, so I'm starting a 5 gallon batch. Here's my new (and less expensive) recipe:

2 x 6-pack of 16oz pastruized apple juice concentrate, total of around $11 from Costco. In theory, this would make 6 gallons of apple juice but I'm squeezing it into 5 gallons for extra sugar, alcohol and flavor.

2 pounds honey

Wyeast 1056 American Ale Yeast

Boil the honey in a gallon of reconstituted apple juice. Add this and all (thawed) concentrate to fermenter. Add warm water to fill to 5 gallons. Juice was at around 75F when filled. Add yeast.

12 hours later this was bubbling nicely. Considering my basement is at 54F and this yeast performs best between 60F and 72F I wrapped an electric heat pad (the kind you use for sprained ankles, turned on low) and towel around it. Without the pad it was at 58F and bubbling nicely, but someone mentioned that a low fermentation temp could cause off-flavors, so I turned on the pad. It's now at 68F and still bubbling nicely (bubble every 2-3 seconds as of 1/21/05).

Brewed: 1/16/05
Status: 2/3 of batch bottled in my new Tap-a-Draft bottles on about 2/3/05. Rest of batch bottled in regular bottles on 2/8/05.