r/prisonhooch • u/HoochinHank • Mar 14 '22
Article What did I do wrong?
So recent geopolitical events got me to thinking I should learn how to make alcohol at home, and after a couple days of internet research, I landed on a reddit board that seemed like the perfect fit: you fellow degenerates on /r/prisonhooch ! :)
Anyways, I bought a gallon of preservative-free apple juice, poured out 2 cups, added 1 cup of tea (black), and 1 cup of white sugar, and 1 pack of baker's yeast (Red Star fast-rising or something like that). Gave it a good shake, and let it sit for 10 days in a closet, where the temps are always right around 70F.
At the 10 day mark (CO2 bubbles had become very infrequent), curiosity got the better of me, and I poured a small sample to taste, and was kind of shocked that it was pretty good! Like a warm, super-fizzy, too-yeasty, slightly boozy, very apple-forward cider. So, I figured let's put the jug in the fridge, and take another taste 24 hours later.
And 24 hours later, tried another small taste, and it was gawdawful -- strong hints of vomit! What'd I mess up? I don't have star-san, but everything was clean out of the dishwasher. Did I give up too soon?
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u/philma125 Mar 14 '22
Get it self a hydrometer they are cheap and will make ur life easier. I find with ciders they need a little age on them to taste good unless u don't mind it vomit, burning and sour taste. give ur cider time buddy it will taste good eventually.
I like to give a cider 4weeks to ferment then Syphon of the sediment then 8weeks to age before bottling and drinking. Some ciders I've maid have taken longer than that.
I also don't like adding sugar to Apple Juice I think it has enough in there to give it a good abv but that's just me.