Membership questions? Log in issues? Email info@brewersassociation.org

Author Topic: Bottling Carbing cider  (Read 1746 times)

Offline ANDREW.GROGAN1

  • Assistant Brewer
  • ***
  • Posts: 133
Bottling Carbing cider
« on: March 15, 2016, 08:50:45 am »
I did my first batch of cider this fall and I am ready to bottle it.  I have read mixed reviews on whether it's safe to bottle carbonate cider.  Reading a lot about potential bottle bombs.

I was hoping for a pretty fizzy cider so I was thinking about 3.0 volumes.  Is this a recipe for disaster?  If so, what are the alternatives?  I do have a single keg setup but I was hoping to rack a beer into it later this week.   
« Last Edit: March 15, 2016, 09:03:05 am by ANDREW.GROGAN1 »

Offline Stevie

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 6858
Re: Bottling Carbing cider
« Reply #1 on: March 15, 2016, 08:54:06 am »
As long as your cider is completely finished, and you are not back sweeting, bottle conditioning is fine. 3 volumes is on the higher side for standard longnecks.

Offline ANDREW.GROGAN1

  • Assistant Brewer
  • ***
  • Posts: 133
Re: Bottling Carbing cider
« Reply #2 on: March 15, 2016, 09:06:46 am »
As long as your cider is completely finished, and you are not back sweeting, bottle conditioning is fine. 3 volumes is on the higher side for standard longnecks.

I could definitely dial it back.  I could do 2 volumes.  I am just super nervous about exploding bottles.  It's been in secondary for 4 months after 1 month in primary.  I assume it's finished. 

Offline erockrph

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 7788
  • Chepachet, RI
    • The Hop WHisperer
Re: Bottling Carbing cider
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2016, 11:05:46 am »
As long as your cider is completely finished, and you are not back sweeting, bottle conditioning is fine. 3 volumes is on the higher side for standard longnecks.

I could definitely dial it back.  I could do 2 volumes.  I am just super nervous about exploding bottles.  It's been in secondary for 4 months after 1 month in primary.  I assume it's finished.
Regular longnecks in good shape should handle at least 3 volumes with no issues. I'd shoot for 2.5-2.7 volumes if you like a cider with some fizz to it.
Eric B.

Finally got around to starting a homebrewing blog: The Hop Whisperer

Offline dmtaylor

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4724
  • Lord Idiot the Lazy
    • YEAST MASTER Perma-Living
Re: Bottling Carbing cider
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2016, 12:28:59 pm »
I could definitely dial it back.  I could do 2 volumes.  I am just super nervous about exploding bottles.  It's been in secondary for 4 months after 1 month in primary.  I assume it's finished.

Good.  After that much time it will be safe to bottle with priming sugar.  3 volumes is fine but personally I'd only do like 2.5.  However the yeast is long gone so you will want to add a sprinkle of fresh yeast along with the priming sugar.  Cheers!!

P.S.  Also be aware that it can take a long time for cider to carbonate.  It's not right away in 2 weeks like beer usually.  Usually takes more like 2-3 months in my experience.  I don't know why, it just does.
« Last Edit: March 16, 2016, 12:30:45 pm by dmtaylor »
Dave

The world will become a much more pleasant place to live when each and every one of us realizes that we are all idiots.