How to Brew Cheap Cider

Brewing cheap cider is easier than you think. There is one very important aspect that can determine the difference between good, drinkable cheap cider, and undrinkable, sour cider: sterilization. Since fermentation relies on yeast, you cannot be too careful when sterilizing *anything* that comes in contact with the ingredients of the cheap cider. Failure to be thorough when sterilizing can result in the growth of unwanted bacteria, wild yeast, and more, which results in a sour, unpleasant liquid. So take your time when making cheap cider. You'll be happy that you did.

Things You'll Need

• 4 ¼ quarts of apple juice
• 1-gallon carboy
• 18 ounces of sugar
• Water
• Sachet of wine yeast
• Rubber bung and air trap
• Hydrometer
• Sachet of finings
• Siphon
• Wine filter or unbleached coffee filter (optional)
• 1-gallon container
• Sterilized wine bottles or other bottles of your choice (take off any labels)

Instructions

1. Clean all of your equipment thoroughly when you are brewing cheap cider. You can find some non-toxic cleansers at brew stores or health food stores. At the very least, if you aren't able to find a cleaning solution, use 2 tablespoons of unperfumed bleach per 5 gallons of water. Whatever you do use to sterilize your equipment, make sure you use hot water-especially when you rinse.

2. Pour the apple juice of your choice into your sterilized carboy. You can find a carboy, as well as all of your other brewing equipment, at a brewing supply store or a health food store.

3. Measure 18 ounces of sugar into the pot, and add 1 ¼ quarts of water. Heat the water and stir it until the sugar dissolves. Carefully add the sugar and water mixture to the apple juice in the carboy. Put in 1 sachet of yeast (also available at brew shops or health food stores) and fit the air trap and bung to the mouth of the carboy. Make sure to fill the air trap about half-way with water.

4. Let the carboy stand in a room-temperature place (out of the sunlight would be best) for a while when brewing cheap cider. Use a hydrometer to test the level of alcohol and carbon dioxide. If the hydrometer reads a "SG level of 1030," then add the sachet of finings. Allow the yeast to settle, and wait for the cider to grow clear before moving on to the next step. If the hydrometer does not show that reading, wait a few more days and test the contents of the carboy again before adding the finings.

5. Use a wine filter when you siphon the cider mixture from the carboy to a sterilized bowl or a container capable of holding a gallon of liquid. If you do not have a wine filter, you can use an unbleached coffee filter, or just use extreme care when siphoning the liquid from the carboy. If you wish to have a second fermentation, reserve the yeast at the bottom of the carboy when you are brewing cheap cider.

6. Sterilize bottles you wish to use when you're brewing cheap cider. The size of the bottles is up to you, and can range from wine bottles to beer bottles. Use the siphon to transfer the cider from the container to the bottles. You can stop here, or go for a second fermentation, which would add bubbles to the simple cider you brewed.

7. Add a few teaspoons of sugar to the bottles of simple cider you brewed if you are using a sterilized wine bottle, and a small portion of the yeast from the carboy. Add less sugar and yeast if you are using a beer bottle. Tightly fasten the caps or the corks of the bottles and allow them to sit for several weeks. Be sure to drink the cider you have brewed within 4 months or so. Enjoy the simple cider you have brewed. Thanks to your efforts, you'll have a taste of fall throughout the winter months.

Resources

• This site has a cheap cider recipe.
• Cheap Draft has recipes for cider, beer and more.