Update on an old article:
Back in April 2014 when this article was posted I tried making a batch of hard cider. It was good so I decided to try again. I thought the second batch had failed. It was harsh and tasted sort of like vinegar. Not wanting to through it out, I put the jug in the basement and scowled at it every time I walked by....for almost two years.
Being stubborn, I tried again about 9 months ago....another failure! Ugh what a waste of money. This jug went into the garage where it was much more noticeable. Over time this jug clarified and started looking like apple juice with a thick layer of sludge in the bottom, rather than the apple cider it started as.
I was cleaning out the garage a couple of weeks ago and decided to get rid of "that dammed bottle of cider. Rather that just pour it down the drain, I decided to try a little sip first. It was delicious! It was smooth with a nice apple flavor, closer to an apple wine than a commercial hard apple cider. The alcohol level is not strong, just enough to give it a mild kick. Success! Excited, I went downstairs to check the old bottle. Sure enough, it was also delicious.
I siphoned both bottles to get rid of the sludge and have been happily drinking my nice aged cider since. My wife also loves it and it seems to help her sleep. All of our friends who try it love it as well. I am hooked! I started a new batch tonight for consumption in 6-12 months. I intend to make more every month to build up a pipeline of cider for regular consumption. Happy, happy, happy!
As a bonus, my ever inventive wife used the left over sludge in some yeast bread. It is also delicious! The fresh bread has a nice apple cider smell while the taste is more subtle. We will definitely be doing this again as well. Score!