Compo 10,328 Posted January 14, 2017 Report Share Posted January 14, 2017 I was in a home brew shop in Glasgow last week and thought I might buy some aroma hops because my home grown hops have a high bittering quality. Hops now cost around £7 per 100g bag! I decided on the spot to buy a new Fuggles aroma hop bine instead. I can buy a bine for £6.95 +pp and that will produce up to ½Kg of hops every year, even in my part of the world. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PeverilPeril 3,292 Posted January 14, 2017 Report Share Posted January 14, 2017 I tried collecting Fuggles from the hedgerows when working in Hereford. Never got to dry them out properly to release the aroma though. I might try growing some and having another go. Wouldn't mind trying Kent Goldings in France. Should do well given a hot Summer. A pall is viewing a cidre press and scratter in France for me today. Planning to bring them back to the UK if I get them 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Compo 10,328 Posted January 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 I have a small fruit press that is capable of doing apples but only in small quantities. To make a batch of cider takes me quite a long time. Th epress and scratter would be a great advantage if you are a cider fan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PeverilPeril 3,292 Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 compo - if I remember correctly you made cider from apples on the railway embankment. What sort of apples were they and what was the cider like? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Compo 10,328 Posted January 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 They are wild apples. There are four trees, three have small green apples and one has soft yellow apples. The yellow one is something like a Golden Wonder but the others are little hard fruits. I collect them in late October and add some of my own garden apples to make a batch. They do say that the more varieties you add, the better the finished cider. People say that my home-made cider is drinkable and not unlike a scrumpy. I usually bottle some and secondary ferment it to give it some fizz and the rest I bottle without any secondary sugar; the result being a flat drink. Last year I tried making a batch using cheap apple juice from Lidl's and it worked quite well as a fizzy "Strongbow" alike cider. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PeverilPeril 3,292 Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 Just asking compo because no cider apples here in Staffs and intend trying Bramleys with crab apples. Plenty of both available usually. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Compo 10,328 Posted January 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2017 Add some eaters as well, otherwise it may be too acidic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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