hard cider and yeast

[Badger1083]

I'm planning on brewing some hard cider for my sister's wedding and I was wondering about the strain of yeast I should use. I've got a Hefeweizen Ale going in the primary and it should come out this weekend, and was wondering if i was to clean up the yeast a bit, if I could repitch it for my cider. The strain i pitched was White Labs WLP300, which is the Hefeweizen Ale yeast. I'm guessing that the finished product may be a little cloudy, but that's ok as far as i'm concerned! It's not like I'm so cheap that I won't buy some yeast, but the LHBS is a 3 hour drive and thought it might be interesting to use the hefe yeast.

[Derekt2]

Originally posted by Badger1083
I'm planning on brewing some hard cider for my sister's wedding and I was wondering about the strain of yeast I should use. I've got a Hefeweizen Ale going in the primary and it should come out this weekend, and was wondering if i was to clean up the yeast a bit, if I could repitch it for my cider. The strain i pitched was White Labs WLP300, which is the Hefeweizen Ale yeast. I'm guessing that the finished product may be a little cloudy, but that's ok as far as i'm concerned! It's not like I'm so cheap that I won't buy some yeast, but the LHBS is a 3 hour drive and thought it might be interesting to use the hefe yeast.

Uh, I'm thinking the esters from that yeast will clash with the fruit character of the cider. I'm not saying you shouldn't do it (and report back!) but I'm not so sure about that one.

[mookow]

Originally posted by Badger1083
I'm planning on brewing some hard cider for my sister's wedding and I was wondering about the strain of yeast I should use. I've got a Hefeweizen Ale going in the primary and it should come out this weekend, and was wondering if i was to clean up the yeast a bit, if I could repitch it for my cider. The strain i pitched was White Labs WLP300, which is the Hefeweizen Ale yeast. I'm guessing that the finished product may be a little cloudy, but that's ok as far as i'm concerned! It's not like I'm so cheap that I won't buy some yeast, but the LHBS is a 3 hour drive and thought it might be interesting to use the hefe yeast.

I'd be willing to experiment with that, but not a whole batch and not for someone's wedding.

BTW, why dont you order your yeast over the internet? I imagine the cost of gas is way higher than the shipping cost for a low weight package.

[zoom6zoom]

There's a pretty active cider forum on the morebeer.com forums; probably find some good ideas there. Many experienced cider makers prefer to go with a wild fermentation; the most common added yeast is probably an all purpose wine yeast like Montrachet, or a champagne yeast.

[Derekt2]

Originally posted by zoom6zoom
There's a pretty active cider forum on the morebeer.com forums; probably find some good ideas there. Many experienced cider makers prefer to go with a wild fermentation; the most common added yeast is probably an all purpose wine yeast like Montrachet, or a champagne yeast.

zoom6zoom,

I'd read a lot more of your posts if you had a different avatar, dood.

[Badger1083]

Originally posted by mookow
BTW, why dont you order your yeast over the internet? I imagine the cost of gas is way higher than the shipping cost for a low weight package.

You're absolutely right, but since I wrote the post I've found out that I have to go to OKC tomorrow, so the original point of the post is no longer valid. Looks like things will work out fine!

[zoom6zoom]

Originally posted by Derekt2
zoom6zoom,

I'd read a lot more of your posts if you had a different avatar, dood.

;) I've only been using that one for two days! Just a temporary change up.

[Badger1083]

Thanks derekt2, zoom6zoom and mookow for the advice! zoom6-man that's a great cider group! after doing some looking at the time involved with ciders, i decided to brew a Weizenbock instead so I could use the yeast that was already in the fermenter. Besides, cider would make a nice anniversary gift too!

Weizenbock recipe:

6.6# Munton's Wheat LME
1# Special "B" 221-L Crystal Malt
2 oz Hallertauer @60 min.
1/2 oz Hallertauer @20 min.
1/2 oz Hallertauer @10 min.
White Labs Hefeweizen Ale Yeast (WL300)-from previous batch

This batch will probably be a little light on the alcohol since the recipe calls for 8# LME, but that's ok. If I like it, I'll kick it up a notch next time!

I'll let you guys know how everything works out and thanks again!