Cider kit recommendations

[mikewest]

Bloody double post because of auto install patches here at work

[TC2642]

Never tried a Cider kit myself (although I may do in the near future) but I found my TC to be very tasty and a lot better than even some of the more expensive commerical ciders, I do age mine for quite a while though, I think this does have a bearing on the quality.

[Martin the fish]

I think NZ apple juice must be crap then. My TC's have been undrinkable. Bad tasting and very dry. In fact so much so that i think TC being nice or even drinkable is a figment of you lots imagination.

[Bryggmester]

I use Lidl Vitafit AJ too, MW, and I have found it produces very good TC. I gave some to a mate who grew up in Devon and he said it reminded him of the farmhouse scrumpy he used to drink when he was a young lad. I bottle and try to age for at a couple of months and this "vintage" TC definitely improves with keeping. Haven't tried a cider kit for years, the last one I made was a Boots kit, rather thin and not much apple flavour IIRC.

[Camper]

Before opting for TC in many different varieties (Lidl/Asda/Tesco/Morrisons/Princes/Sainsbury/OJA - you name it, I have probably tried it!), I bought two Sherwood Premium Orchard Cider kits.

Both turned out almost undrinkable, although the second one, matured for longer, was better.

I reckon you can't beat Lidl's "naturally pressed = cloudy" apple juice. I always get a real apple flavour, and its very more-ish. The look of it may turn some people off, though.

All my TCs (and perries) get matured for several months, and they all benefit from it.

Still, I'd like to try the Black Rock kit, just to compare it to Sherwood's. I don't recall the Sherwood kit refering to the juice as being from cider apples, but I believe the Black Rock product does.

That alone should make it a better cider?

[Garth]

In my experience the Sherwoods kit made terrible cider, tasted extremely chemically and sharp, avoid, it was one of the last kits I did before going to the dark side.

The few TCs I've made weren't brilliant, but they were quite drinkable, I think success lies in the yeast you use and what you add to the apple juice, honey or sugar etc. I used champagne yeast, not advisable unless you want a very dry cider.

[bigandyb]

Just bought my first ever kit today £9.99 in Leyland. heard something about hybrid, adding apple juice instead of/as well as sugar any thoughts??

[bigandyb]

Gonna set it on the go tomorrow, got a champagne yeast as well becuase heard it helps to make it dry. Will post how its goin, thanks