The Everything Hard Cider book by Drew Beechum is a treasure trove of information about this traditional beverage. He gives you the basics of cider making in the first two chapters so that you can take time to enjoy the rest of the book with cider in hand. The book is loaded with helpful tips and interesting history to keep the process easy and fun. Drew is an expert home brewer, and skillfully guides the reader through the fermentation process, saving the more advanced options for later. The second half of the book is full of recipes and suggestions for brewing different kinds of cider from all over the world, as well as cooking with cider. And, for those that have been bitten by the fermentation bug, the last chapter contains basic instructions for brewing and fermenting wine, mead, and beer as well. It is a truly engaging book for the beginning fermentationist.
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This review is from: The Everything Hard Cider Book: All you need to know about making hard cider at home (Paperback)
This book is sure to inspire a lot of great home made cider. It which should be popular among homebrewers who are looking to expand their game and for newcomers, some of whom may have avoided homebrewing for personal tastes or other reasons, such as gluten sensitivity. It does not assume a knowledge of homebrewing but does sometimes highlight areas where that activity overlaps with cider-making, and might inspire some aspiring cidermakers to also become homebrewers. Several recipes are provided, including traditional ciders but also, perhaps with a nod to Randy Mosher’s Radical Brewing, several off-beat ones. There is also some interesting information about post-fermentation adjustment of cider, which is familiar territory for the wine-making crowd but may be new to some readers who came from a homebrewing background. Additionally, the author shows a strong scientific curiosity, which led to interesting side notes highlighting botany, the natural history of the apple, apple varieties, plant biochemistry, yeast, and the like, which helped earn a 5th star from this plant biologist.
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This review is from: The Everything Hard Cider Book: All you need to know about making hard cider at home (Paperback)
Drew Beechum is a beer writer and veteran home brewer and it shows all through this book. The book is accessible and not overly complex. Beechum starts with an overview of cider and by page 20 has you making your first batch of hard cider. If you are a homebrewer you already have all the equipment you need. The author’s homebrew experience comes through in his practical review of cleaners, yeasts, additives, packaging options and equipment. Beechum begins focusing on people interested in cidermaking who lack orchards, grinders and presses and provides several recipes throughout. He provides an introduction to selecting apples, grinding and presses but other books out there provide more detail. His discussion on hops is also important, providing bittering options for cidermakers who cannot get juice with the bitter tannins found in some of the classic cider apples. He shines in providing information about analyzing your cider and how to fix your cider if it has gone a little off. This most meets the needs of the homebrewer looking to branch out into cider but will also provide a wealth of information for anyone interested in making hard cider.
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Cider for Everyman!,
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|Show me to the apples!,
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|Excellent book to start with,
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