And so it begins...

[stovie]

...Cider preparation time.

Wellsy and his family, me and mine spent yesterday collecting apples for the "big press" in two weeks time. The weather was rightous and the mood joyous as we scrabbled around several orchards gathering what appears to be a bountiful harvest. We collected a large trailer load (enough to hopefully fill the two 55 gallon barrels). A good selection of eaters and cookers of several varieties.

The day was made all the more condusive with the quaffing of last years brew, and superb lamb stew and apple crumble consumed alfresco and helping the balloonist who landed in the paddock after dinner.

Barrels are being soaked in order to expand and seal the joints. One or two small leaks, but all being well these should resolve by pressing day.

No pics unfortunately as I forgot to take my camera...but wont make that mistake in two weeks...

I've never seen so many apples in one place...

 

[Bernie Garland]

Can't wait to see the pics ,roll on two weeks

Bernie

 

[stovie]

Barrels are sealing well, and press cleaned up and ready for the big day. Just need some new sacking...

 

[Ogri the trog]

Great photos Stovie,
But I can feel a long-range headache coming on!





Ogri the trog

 

[addo]

Going to start doing mine soon. Smaller scale though, just the one tree but by gum theres been some apples on it this year.

 

[stovie]

An early start to a wonderfully mild autumn morning. Everything sorted and the task begins.

first the washing and rough chopping, then into the garden shredder to create a juice laden pomace

the first pressing of the day

Achieved 5 gallons from each pressing

The first barrel filled by mid afternoon

Tomorrow we fill the second....It couldn't have gone better if we tried...

 

[JonnyP]

Tomorrow we fill the second....It couldn't have gone better if we tried...

Mmmm, cider on the green is it Rich..?

 

[stovie]

Mmmm, cider on the green is it Rich..?

You got it Jon...

forgot to mention, annointed the press with a little of last years brew, and then consumed SOME....

 

[JonnyP]

You got it Jon...

forgot to mention, annointed the press with a little of last years brew, and then consumed SOME....

He he, good on yer bud..

 

[addo]

Hi Stovie, do you always wash your apples before chopping/pulping. And do you have enough natural yeast left over in the mush to ferment, or add a bit extra.
Cheers.

 

[stovie]

Hi Stovie, do you always wash your apples before chopping/pulping. And do you have enough natural yeast left over in the mush to ferment, or add a bit extra.
Cheers.

Hi Addo, we tend to be a bit on the purist side, and after a brief wash there is still enough yeasts to ferment. The apples have sat around for a fortnight, so are well into the fermenting even as we press.

that said, I am tempted to add a little sugar in form of a syrup. 6 oz per gallon...give or take...

 

[Womble_Lancs]

Dat's a lot of apples!

 

[stovie]

Again it broke fine and mellow, which is more than can be said for my head, so quickly got 'round to curing that...

Quick check on the raw material

the pomace before pressing

And after

The press in action


Gradually getting there

My son and Wellsy take a break

Finally, 110 gallons barrelled

Now all we have to do is wait...

 

[addo]

Good stuff stovie, that press makes light work of it. my little one is hardly worrth all the effort.