Cider Fining 101

Exploring finding agents for cider.

Fining agents are more than just compounds added to help clarify your cider. They can also remove other compounds, usually with the goal of improving stability. However, these agents can impact color and aroma. As defined by R. Marchal and E.J. Waters in the book Managing Wine Quality(1), fining is the addition of a substance … Continue reading Cider Fining 101

Cider Equipment: Aging

Cider Equipment: Aging & Maturation

I broke down the equipment used to make hard cider into the following three basic process steps. Fermentation Equipment Aging Equipment Bottling Equipment In this post, I’ll cover the Aging step. You can find PDF files of each step in The Shop. As I did with my other posts, I am taking the view of … Continue reading Cider Equipment: Aging

Cider Equipment: Fermentation

Equipment for fermenting cider

I have the pleasure of interacting with people from all over the world and at all levels of cider making experience. But, no matter how many books and research papers papers I read, apples I assess, yeasts I trial, or experiments I conduct, I am fundamentally just a home craft cider maker. When I write … Continue reading Cider Equipment: Fermentation

Non-Saccharomyces Yeast: Hanseniaspora uvarum Results

Hanseniaspora uvarum Test Results

I was able to assess three Hanseniaspora uvarum yeast strains from the USDA culture collection for use in cider making. I provided a detailed overview on these and other non-Saccharomyces strains in earlier articles. Just search for non-Saccharomyces on the site or look in the post carousal below for the links. Hanseniaspora uvarum is a … Continue reading Non-Saccharomyces Yeast: Hanseniaspora uvarum Results

Non-Saccharomyces Yeast: Pichia Kluyveri Results

Results of cider making using Pichia kluyveri yeast.

I obtained 11 samples of non-Saccharomyces yeast from the USDA and have been conducting trials for my hard cider batches. Three of those strains where Pichia kluyveri. If you haven't read it, I would encourage you to review my overview of Pichia kluyveri and the other strains. Just search non-Saccharomyces on the site or look … Continue reading Non-Saccharomyces Yeast: Pichia Kluyveri Results

Products and Recommendations: Tilt Hydrometer

The Shop at PricklyCider.com

I’m been hesitant about adding advertisements to Prickly Cider but I regularly get asked about different products. I decided to setup the Prickly Cider Shop and Recommended Products Page. This page allows me a way to provide recommendations for products that I find useful. I’ve setup links to Amazon through their Affiliation Program. If you … Continue reading Products and Recommendations: Tilt Hydrometer

The 2020 Home Cider Makers Wish List

2020 Equipment Wishlist

As 2020 comes to an end you may be celebrating one of many various holidays or you just may be celebrating that 2020 is actually almost over. Regardless of whether you are celebrating something, just finished pressing apples for the season, or are ramping up for the the coming harvest, I thought it would be … Continue reading The 2020 Home Cider Makers Wish List