Two Ciders
So the other night Robert and I tried the 2005 and the 2007 Linvilla Hard Cider side-by-side.
 
This was kind of a treat to me. Not only did I get two try to similar beverages side-by-side, but it was the last two 2005 Ciders. In the picture the one on the left is the 2007 and the one on the right the 2005. Some similarity and differences in these Ciders. Both were made with fresh cider from the same orchard (Linvilla). Both Ciders finished below 1.000FG. Both Ciders never fully carbonated. The 2005 was fermented/aged for over 1 year before it was originally bottles, and the 2007 was fermented/aged about three months before it was bottled. The 2005 used a Dry Cider specific liquid yeast, and the 2007 used a Belgian-style (S-33) dry yeast. The 2005 Cider was very mild almost wine like when “fresh” and developed a more Granny Smith apple bite as it developed, and the 2007 Cider was more farm-housey in over-all flavor with a definitive apple nip.
Neither of these Ciders turned out how I had pictured the, but I thought both were fair. I’d like to be able to develop the carbonation more, and maybe brew a “bigger” Cider at some point that I can back sweeten with apple concentrate and spices. All-in-all making Ciders is a fun once a year or so project.