National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Cider, Perry, Wine & Mead => Topic started by: fishjam45 (Colin) on October 13, 2014, 07:20:20 PM

Title: Bulldog Cider Yeast slow?
Post by: fishjam45 (Colin) on October 13, 2014, 07:20:20 PM
Evening all,

I put on a Bulldog 3kg Strawberry & Lime kit yesterday morning.  It was all done and dusted in a half hour, nice and easy!
23ltrs in FV
OG 1.034
20.5 deg C.

I pitched the yeast at noon yesterday (Sunday) and its now Monday night 7.30pm and theres still no action from the bubbler yet - should I be worried?
Title: Re: Bulldog Cider Yeast slow?
Post by: johnrm on October 14, 2014, 12:36:19 PM
Is your fermenter sealed? Press the lid to test.
What date was on the kit/yeast?
Some yeast can be slow to start.
Title: Re: Bulldog Cider Yeast slow?
Post by: fishjam45 (Colin) on October 14, 2014, 12:43:26 PM
Hi Johnrm, yeah the Fermentor is fully sealed.
The kits were only freshly delivered to the shop so I can only presume they were still in date, but  I will double check anyway.
Still no activity today (Tuesday).
Title: Re: Bulldog Cider Yeast slow?
Post by: Jonnycheech on October 15, 2014, 12:27:19 PM
I made the pear kit a few months back and had no problems with the yeast. It took off within a day if I remember correctly. I was surprised by the amount of sulpher smell that the yeast gives off though, very potent indeed!
Title: Re: Bulldog Cider Yeast slow?
Post by: johnrm on October 15, 2014, 02:50:41 PM
Any sign of activity?
Have you any other yeast knocking about?
I'm not terribly familiar with Cider kits, but I'm sure any yeast would do if you had some lying around.
Maybe have a word with your supplier.
Title: Re: Bulldog Cider Yeast slow?
Post by: fishjam45 (Colin) on October 15, 2014, 04:56:08 PM
Cheers lads,

It was bubbling away when I went home for lunch today.

Johnny how did it turn out in the end? Nice?
Title: Re: Bulldog Cider Yeast slow?
Post by: johnrm on October 15, 2014, 07:04:34 PM
Good news then.
Patience, the secret homebrew ingredient!
Title: Re: Bulldog Cider Yeast slow?
Post by: fishjam45 (Colin) on October 15, 2014, 08:49:35 PM
Quote from: johnrm on October 15, 2014, 07:04:34 PM
Good news then.
Patience, the secret homebrew ingredient!

You got that right!
Title: Re: Bulldog Cider Yeast slow?
Post by: johnrm on October 17, 2014, 09:50:38 AM
I'm interested in how this turns out.
SWMBO really likes Rekordling strawberry and lime.
How did this taste out of the fermenter?
Title: Re: Bulldog Cider Yeast slow?
Post by: fishjam45 (Colin) on October 17, 2014, 10:04:25 AM
I'll keep this thread updated so and maybe try get a bottle to you through the NHC Express?

I didn't taste too sweet or overpowering. I did like the smell of it - nice and fresh.
Title: Re: Bulldog Cider Yeast slow?
Post by: Jonnycheech on October 17, 2014, 10:14:35 AM
Quote from: fishjam45 on October 15, 2014, 04:56:08 PM
Johnny how did it turn out in the end? Nice?

Yeah I thought it was as good, if not better, than any of the big commercials like Rekorderlig and Kopperberg. It wasn't as sweet as either of those which is a plus for me. It finished crystal clear but the problem I found was the smell of sulpher, which is still lingering in the bottles after two months.

This was my first cider experience and it was made for SWMBO. I have since learnt that you can get rid of the sulpher smell by transferring after primary to another vessel and allowing it it to run down the side of the secondary container. Anyone else any thoughts on this?
Title: Re: Bulldog Cider Yeast slow?
Post by: fishjam45 (Colin) on October 28, 2014, 08:02:31 PM
I bottled this up yesterday evening and used carb drops as I was feeling very lazy and it was quite late too.

I added one drop per 330ml bottle and one per 500ml bottle to see the effect the difference in carbonation has on the finished article.

I tasted and smelled it too.  There was no real rough or sulphur like smell. In relation to the flavour theres not too much I can say yet as it is very young but I wasnt dissapointed - now to forget about it and let it age.
Title: Re: Bulldog Cider Yeast slow?
Post by: Jonnycheech on October 28, 2014, 08:19:10 PM
I'd say you might be ok with one drop for a 330ml but I'd say the 500ml will be a bit flat.  :(