Youngs brewbuddy cider

[Sooty]

I fancied having a go at some cider, and so as this was all wilko's had, i picked a kit up.

Unfortunately, there has been no reaction after 2 days, pitched at about 26 and kept at 21-22, it even had some nutrient in the kit, so it's looking like the yeast might have been dodgy. I was wondering, can i re-pitch it with ale yeast, as i have Nottingham and s04 to hand, or do i specifically need to get cider yeast? It started at 1.061 and, according to the kit, should finish at 0.998 so i wanted to check if an ale yeast would manage that, as I wouldn't expect ales to start that high and end that low.

i don't have a local homebrew shop, so i'd need a few days to get a new cider yeast delivered, along with some order padding , and i'm not sure it would be ok for that long?

[shazza]

Give it another couple of days,Soots,and she'll probably take off.I made this kit about two years ago and,if I recall correctly,it took a few days to get going.
In future,do not waste your money on cider kits,just head over to "Other Brews" on this site and check out Turbo Cider.An endless variety of recipes are available and the addition of strong tea and honey gives great mouhfeel and body to a tasty and potent beverage.Best of luck.
BTW the yeasts I use in my TCs are either Youngs Cider Yeast or Lalvin EC-1118.

[Sooty]

Hmm, the kit is now doing something at least, although I hesitate to call it properly fermenting

There is a small crust of foam, and the airlock is pushed out of equilibrium, but there isn't the usual "steam train" effect. I think it will get there eventually, but I'm expecting a long wait. It's well aerated and had yeast vit in, so i'm not sure why it's got such a small reaction.

I'd have given the proper cider a go, but a kit of concentrate is much more convenient for me than trying to get 19l of apple juice home on a motorbike!

[shazza]

Go way our dat! I was carrying bags of washing to the laundrette on my nifty fifty and ferrying x-mas trees on my 175,never mind 3-up on an xl 250 with a skinful onboard.Where there's a will etc. And it will be worth it.

[Sooty]

I have now had my first 'proper' cider hangover, and all I can say is... never again!

I think I'll stick to the ale from now on