Making your own cider at home is a great way to enjoy the taste of fresh cider without having to go out and buy it. And, with a cider-making kit for beginners, it’s easy to get started. Here’s what you need to know about making your own hard cider at home.
Making homemade hard cider is a simpler process than you might think, and it can be done at home with basic equipment.
Hard cider kits are a quick and easy way to make hard apple cider. I would strongly advise a beginner to start with a kit because it is much easier and faster to get started and can keep costs lower. Kits also make excellent gifts!
Three Main Types Of Hard Cider Kits
There are three main types of cider-making kits available on the market, and each has its own benefits.
Here’s a quick overview of the three types of hard cider brewing kits:
Cider-Making Kits: These kits contain most of the ingredients needed to create your first batch of great-tasting hard cider. They usually include the necessary equipment and components to make a 1-gallon batch.
Ingredient Kits: An ingredient kit is a collection of all the equipment that allows you to make a batch of hard cider without purchasing individual ingredients.
It usually comes with apple juice concentrate (which you will reconstitute), hard cider yeast, and occasionally other ingredients like yeast nutrients or pectin enzyme.
If you already have the equipment, these are ideal as “refills.”
General Homebrew Equipment Kits: Equipment kits are collections of individual pieces of equipment sold together for convenience and cost savings.
They usually do not include any of the actual ingredients you will require.
This kit is the best way to acquire the equipment needed for larger batches (5-6 gallons).
Premium Hard Cider Kits
Purchasing a brew hard cider kit solves and reduces the cost of acquiring the necessary ingredients and equipment. If you enjoy making cider it will give you a head start on a larger collection of equipment you may want in the future.
Brew Demon Hard Cider Kit Pro
This cider kit comes with many of the items cider needs to get started making cider at home, including a 6.5-gallon fermenting bucket, cider yeast, airlock, siphon tubing, and bottle filler. The cider kit also includes a recipe guide to help you make your first batch of cider.
This cider-making kit is more expensive than the Brooklyn Brew Shop kit, but it includes premium ingredients and equipment. It’s also very easy to use, making it an excellent choice for beginners.
Crooked Apple Complete Hard Cider Making Starter Kit
This hard cider starter kit includes everything you need to get started making cider at home, including a 6.5-gallon fermenting bucket, cider yeast, airlock, siphon tubing, bottle filler, and cider labels. The kit also includes a recipe guide to help you make your first batch of cider.
Standard Hard Cider Kits
A standard hard cider brewing kit, roughly half the price of a premier kit, still provides the majority of the equipment required to make your hard cider and is an excellent value.
These standard kits are an excellent choice for those who are unsure whether they will make more than a batch or two or already have some equipment.
Mr. Beer 2-Gallon Hard Cider Homebrewing Craft Cider Kit
Mr. Beer Cider Kit is one of the few kits with bottles and full bottling capability, making it the clear winner in the standard category. The kit comes with everything you need to get started making cider, including a 2-gallon cider brewing keg, cider yeast, airlock, cider labels, and step-by-step instructions.
Craft a Brew Hard Cider Kit
The Craft, a Brew Hard Cider Kit, is an excellent value, as it includes all of the necessary equipment and ingredients to make three 1-gallon batches. The cider recipe kit includes a 1-gallon glass fermenter, airlock, thermometer, racking cane and tubing, bottling bucket and spigot, siphon tubing, bottle filler, and cider yeast.
How to Choose The Best Hard Cider-Making Kit For Beginners
If you’re looking for a cider-making kit for beginners, here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Ease of Use: The cider-making process is actually quite simple, but it’s important to choose a kit that is easy to use. Look for a kit that comes with clear instructions and all of the necessary equipment.
2. Cost: Hard Cider Making kits can range in price from around $30 to $200, depending on the size and features. If you’re just getting started, it’s probably best to choose a less expensive kit. You can always upgrade later if you find that you enjoy cider making.
3. Quality: When it comes to cider making, quality is important. Look for a kit that includes high-quality ingredients and equipment. This will ensure that your cider turns out to taste great.
Conclusion
Making cider at home is a fun and easy way to enjoy this delicious fall beverage. With so many cider-making kits on the market, it’s easy to find one that fits your needs and budget.
Choose a great-tasting equipment kit for beginners that is easy to use and includes high-quality ingredients and equipment for the best results.