Mead / Cider / Perry

Questions:
Back Sweetening a Cider
You don’t want to add the sorbate until the fermentation is very complete, i.e., clear and stable. Typically added AFTER the beverage has been sulfited. If there is any renewed fermentation with the sorbate present in the beverage you typically get an aroma and flavor of fresh cut geranium flowers (really the character of the broken stem) — very unpleasant.
So make sure your cider is clear, rack off any sediment, and then treat it with sulfites. Once it is obvious that fermentation is not restarting you can sweeten and add the sorbate at the same time.

September Club meeting

The next monthly meeting will be on Tuesday September 7th at The Happy Gnome, starting around 7:00pm upstairs.The topics for the meeting will be recipe formulation and brewing software, PC and Mac.Bring your ears and something to take notes, and don’t forget your beers for feedback. Having your notes from the brewing session will help in understanding what is good and not so good with your beer. So come prepared.