National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Cider, Perry, Wine & Mead => Topic started by: Will_D on August 29, 2014, 04:07:19 PM

Title: [Review] Craft Range Ice Cool Cider
Post by: Will_D on August 29, 2014, 04:07:19 PM
Well at last I get round to open this kit!

So first a couple of box shots:

(http://i759.photobucket.com/albums/xx232/will_davis/IMG_0415_zpsdd372e1e.jpg)

(http://i759.photobucket.com/albums/xx232/will_davis/IMG_0414_zps01149eeb.jpg)

Then whats in the box:

(http://i759.photobucket.com/albums/xx232/will_davis/57608def-19f3-415a-8839-89513dace60e_zps43c672b4.jpg)

So there is the Apple conentrate, Dextrose, Yeast and nutrients, Sweetner and a flavour sachet

And of course the all important instructions!

So prepare some tap water via a carbon filter:
(http://i759.photobucket.com/albums/xx232/will_davis/IMG_0418_zpsb8d0069c.jpg)

This is where I deviate from the instructions slightly:

"Pour the concentrate and the dextrose into the fermenter, rins out pouch. Then add 3 litres of boiling water and stir to disolve"

I prefer to disolve the dextrose on the stove top and as its summer only use 1.5 litres of water heated until the dextrose disolves.

(http://i759.photobucket.com/albums/xx232/will_davis/IMG_0420_zps5cbca7a2.jpg)

Then I add it and the pouch of concentrate and rinse well then make up to 22.5 litres

So I hit 24 C so I prefer to let it cool a little before pitching the yeast(&nutients)

(http://i759.photobucket.com/albums/xx232/will_davis/cd85e76c-c783-47e0-9a3f-41abf1b8f6ed_zpsa97bf55c.jpg)

[Update] This evenning (7 pm) temp had dropped to about 20C (from being outside) OG was 1.055 so pitched and is now in brewery at a fairly constants 22C

Fermentation is well started (11 pm) - bubbling nicely. If it gets too vigorous then its outside for a day or two!

Tasting Notes: The must is very sweet but defo. has a nice apple flavour, low acidity, low tannins.

When I use the two additives I will be cautious. The sweetner is not to be afraid off - its just sweet, very sweet of 'eFin sweet.

The flavour sachets can be a bit ott ( from past experience of kits with the little plastic bag of esters).

Add 1/3 rd of the bag first and prolly 1/2 the sweetner ( but taste the cider first!) you can always add more but its difficult to remove!

Update 31/08/14: Bubbling away nicely. Slight whiff of Hydrogen Suplhide - nowt to worry abount. Sometimes means the must is under nourished slightly. However as its a kit will not add any more nutrients. If I do another then I will and see whats the difference.

Title: Re: [Review] Craft Range Ice Cool Cider
Post by: LordEoin on August 29, 2014, 07:02:10 PM
Hey, this was just a picture of the box last time I looked!  ;D
Do you notice much of a difference in general filtering the water?
Looking forward to seeing this thread grow, it's the cider kit i'd be most interested in. Plain old apple! <3
Title: Re: [Review] Craft Range Ice Cool Cider
Post by: Will_D on August 29, 2014, 11:14:05 PM
Yes this latest version of FekBuket is really pee*ng me off.

I upload photos, link them in, preview them and get an error saying the photo doesn't exist.

Then the fekin adds start!

Then I get some awful scream about a Windows error!

Me an EffBukitt are detsined to part company very soon if this goes on!
Title: Re: [Review] Craft Range Ice Cool Cider
Post by: Will_D on August 29, 2014, 11:27:03 PM
Quote from: LordEoin on August 29, 2014, 07:02:10 PM
Do you notice much of a difference in general filtering the water?
Looking forward to seeing this thread grow, it's the cider kit i'd be most interested in. Plain old apple! <3
Yes the amount of chlorine in seabury is disgusting. I have swum in pools with less!

The filter is just a Pro-Plumb 10" combined sediment and active charcoal - works a treat!
Title: Re: [Review] Craft Range Ice Cool Cidercask and st
Post by: Will_D on September 24, 2014, 04:13:29 PM
So finally got round to posting an update.

Fermented out nicely to about 1.004 and dropping clear already.

Racked over into another barrel and started to add the flavour sachet. Added half and could taste very little, so added the rest. Washed out the sachet with the cider and gave it a good shake. This is really a mild apple flavour compared to other flavour sachets that I've used from other kits.

So it light and apply and pretty dry. So added half the sweetner (you need a jewellers scales as there only 2.5 gms in all) disolved in the cider and added. Decided to leave a week for all the flavours to come together.
Title: Re: [Review] Craft Range Ice Cool Cider
Post by: googoomuck on November 13, 2014, 09:29:55 AM
How did this turn out after?
Title: Re: [Review] Craft Range Ice Cool Cider
Post by: Will_D on December 22, 2014, 11:49:12 AM
Well after a long time got round to kegging and conditioning this.

It really is very good. Definitely lightly flavoured, with a natural apple taste and not too sweet and none of the synthetic ester flavours some of the cheaper brands use.

I added all the sweetner after just adding half and leaving for a few days and then tasting.

Ice cool defo! as my garage is at about 10 degrees when I tasted it first!

All in all a great cider kit to make a simple (ie no other flavours) apple flavoured light cider.

Note its only light in flavour strength and body - its about 6.2 abv!
Title: Re: [Review] Craft Range Ice Cool Cider
Post by: LordEoin on December 22, 2014, 11:56:50 AM
Glad to hear it turned out well :)
I think I remember HBW saying it's best to serve on ice like a pint bottle of Bulmers.

Do you think there'll be much benefit to letting it age or is it an early drinker?
I'm thinking of putting one on for summer drinks and just wondering when would be the best time to brew it.
Title: Re: [Review] Craft Range Ice Cool Cider
Post by: molc on December 22, 2014, 12:03:29 PM
I have it sitting in a keyboard for the new years party and I echo wills comments. My only issue is it has a slightly wattery flavour. Might make to 20L and not 23L if I do it again.