This winter, Hale & True is hosting our first cider making course. Join us for 3 sessions over 5 weeks to learn the cider making process from start to finish, guided by owner and cider maker, Kerry McKenzie. We will provide everything you need to make, bottle, and take home one gallon of cider - about 6 22oz bottles for you to enjoy.
In each session at the taproom, we will walk through the steps of the cider making process, then follow up with some cider education and tasting, of course. This will be a small group class with a limited number of spots available.
Session 1: Getting Fresh Pressed Juice & Pitching Yeast
Tuesday, January 29, 6:30-8:30pm
We'll be picking up juice from our favorite local orchard for everyone to use as the base of your cider. We'll talk about the different varieties of local apples available, their characteristics, and history of cider making apples. Together, we will measure the sugar density of the fresh juice, then everyone will rehydrate and add yeast to their own gallon of fresh juice to begin the fermentation process. We'll talk about the science behind turning sugar into alcohol while enjoying a glass of Hale & True and sampling different styles of cider.
Session 2: Racking & Clearing Cider
Tuesday, February 12, 6:30-8:30pm
As active fermentation comes to the end, the yeast settles to the bottom of the container. To preserve the best flavor and aromas, we will move the cider into a fresh container, leaving the yeast behind then leaving the cider to continue to clear and condition for another couple weeks. Everyone will again enjoy a glass of Hale & True and sample additional cider as we discuss what we learned.
Session 3: Bottling Cider & Naturally Carbonating
Tuesday, February 26, 6:30-8:30pm
The cider is now ready to bottle! Everyone will blend their finished cider with a small amount of priming sugar and yeast, which together allow the cider to naturally carbonate in the bottle. We will then transfer the cider into large format 22oz bottles and cap them to take home. After about 2 weeks of bottle conditioning, the cider will be carbonated and ready to drink. As the cider continues to age, its flavor will only continue to develop. We will toast to our hard work with some more cider, review what we've learned, and share resources to make it easy to continue making cider at home.