store juices question

[dark archer]

Is it possible to make decent brandy from 100% apple juice from the grocery store?

[junkyard dawg]

Well, yes. You can make a brandy from it.

If its what you have then use it. Even if its mediocre, its something that you made with your hands and work and that makes it special.
And thats good enough...

I'm no apple expert, but I'm pretty sure the variety of apples is a bit different for brandy making versus juice apples. That said, I've made some decent spirits from store bought apples. Lots of posts about apples here... Go for it...

[SoMo]

Just make sure it's preservative free and 100% juice no sucrose, glucose or fructose

[WhiteDevil504]

If you're in the US Old orchard (frozen) from Walmart works, as do the jugs of tree top from costco.

[copper sweat]

It's a lot better than your average story bought brandy

[T-Pee]

Been making apple brandy from Costco-purchased Tree Top for months. Works fine. No sugar needed for a 1.050 SG. Leave it that way.

Pour into fermenter, add EC-1118 and wait.

tp

[dark archer]

Thanks for the input y'all. I will give it a try.

[freshwaterjellyfish]

Its getting the time of year to be thinking about such things (apple spirits). Theres a large number of Amish and Mennonites in this area that do alot of apple pressing.
Thanks for answering my yeast question in advance T-Pee.
Should i bring to a boil, cool and add the yeast? Im thinking itll be unpasturized and possibly unfiltered.

[SoMo]

Don't boil,aerate pitch ec1118 and let go.

[hellbilly007]

For fresh-pressed cider there's 3 basic ways used to overcome wild yeasts.
1. Campden tablets (I don't use these because some people have allergies to sulfites)
2. Heat to >160*F and hold for at least 2 minutes (personal time use)
3. Introduce a healthy yeast colony (yeast starter works well)

Dark Archer, store bought juices will work, just avoid the preservative laden types. If you're near an orchard that makes cider that you like that would be all the better.

[NZChris]

For fresh-pressed cider there's 3 basic ways used to overcome wild yeasts.
1. Campden tablets (I don't use these because some people have allergies to sulfites)
2. Heat to >160*F and hold for at least 2 minutes (personal time use)
3. Introduce a healthy yeast colony (yeast starter works well)

Dark Archer, store bought juices will work, just avoid the preservative laden types. If you're near an orchard that makes cider that you like that would be all the better.

Adding Campden might not be too clever if you're intending to put it through a still, especially one without a lot of copper.

[freshwaterjellyfish]

Im gonna go with option three and use some ec-1118. ill take the kids for a back road tour and find some Amish folks to hook me up w the juice..(and summer sausage too)...i bet the backset from an apple spirits run will be perfect for a whiskey recipe

[W Pappy]

Been making apple brandy from Costco-purchased Tree Top for months. Works fine. No sugar needed for a 1.050 SG. Leave it that way.

Pour into fermenter, add EC-1118 and wait.

tp

Just made a batch of hard cider from the same juice not too bad I must say,should be real nice by Halloween.