AboutJohn Snyder Expertise I will answer questions about the brewing of beer,it`s process flow,quality control,and raw materials used in the brewing process.Brewing calculations, recipe formulations,and solving of brewing,fermenting, storage and finishing problems,will also be answered
Experience 41 years in the beer industry,with 20 years as Brewmaster;10 years as brewing Chemist
Education/Credentials B.S.in chemistry.Brewmasters degree.Sensory training
Question QUESTION: Hi i am very interested in homebrewing i would like to brew cider i have found a starter kit but it says to brew beer/lager kits would this still work with a cider kit such as is the airlock on the fermenting bin still used and the co2 injector system in the barrel also used is it better to bottle or barrel cider.Do you use the same procedure to brew the cider kit as to brew the lager kits hope you can help me thanks
ANSWER: You can use the same equipment,both for cider and beer,but once you have used it for 1 or the other,do not use for the other.Bottling,or barrel cider is one's preference.Bottles are a better fit for your refrigerator.Does your kit include the ingredients?The procedure for cider making is completely different,than for beer.A few differences between beer and cider: you don't boil cider, cider yeast is a champagne yeast,cider fermentation is slower.If you have any additional questions,or need help with making the cider,I will be glad to assist.
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QUESTION: hi yes the kit includes two tins thats all i need it says.can i bottle half and barrel half or can i barrel all then bottle as needed when brew is ready.What is the airlock on the fermenting bin for and is it really needed many thanks great response on last question helped alot.
Answer You can bottle 1/2& barrel 1/2;however,if doing so,you would leave a big headspace in the barrel.All that headspace air would greatly affect the taste,as time goes by.Oxidation being the culprit.
The airlock has several purposes:1--when partially filled with water,it allows gases caused by fermentation to percolate through it and out of the vessel without allowing contaminates to get into the fermenting wort(beer)or cider(Must)2---the water in the airlock creates an effective environmental barrier.3---the release of the gas,through the airlock,relieves the pressure build up in the container caused by the gas (CO2)
