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Cider Digest #1648
Subject: Cider Digest #1648, 7 August 2011
From: cider-request@talisman.com
Cider Digest #1648 7 August 2011
Cider and Perry Discussion Forum
Contents:
Custom pressing of apples in North Carolina? (Christopher McGarvey)
Homemade press update (Alan Yelvington)
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Digest Janitor: Dick Dunn
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Subject: Custom pressing of apples in North Carolina?
From: Christopher McGarvey <thornsbreak@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2011 23:19:20 -0400
Dear cider lovers,
I'm a relatively recent cider enthusiast who was converted by a trip to the
Franklin County Cider Days in Massachusetts two years ago. I've made 3
batches of cider now using fresh juice pressed by someone else according to
their fancy. These have turned out pretty well, in particular the juice I
got last year from Chuck at Albemarle Cider Works in Virginia.
However, this year I'd really like to be able to create my own blend. I
don't grow fruit, so I have to buy it. Last fall I found a number of
orchards in North Carolina selling either proper bittersweet/sharp cider
varieties or classic heirlooms that would work very well. I was just too
late in the season to get them.
But my real problem is that even though I can probably get the apples I
need, I have no way to grind/press them. Before I dive in and build my own
equipment in the non-apple growing region of Wilmington, NC, I'd like to
search the state high and low for some place that might be willing to let me
press a custom blend. Even better would be a place with varieties suitable
for cider where I could buy/pick and press on site.
Does anyone know of any locations in the state of North Carolina (or perhaps
even Virginia) where I and possible a small group from a homebrew club could
press some apples into juice? Willing to pay a fee for this if necessary.
While we're at it, does anyone have recommendations on good sources of cider
apples in North Carolina/Virginia for the home enthusiast? I'm not looking
to start a business, just make a few 5 gallon batches each year.
With all the apple growers around the mountains of NC, there has to be
somewhere a guy can press some juice in this state.
Thanks!
~Christopher
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Subject: Homemade press update
From: Alan Yelvington <alany@semparpac.org>
Date: Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:17:52 -0400
Puttering today and spent a little time on my
homemade cider press.
I made a YouTube video of it several years
ago that you've all seen
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0_Ez14bIwA),
and I just added the part number for the Good
Nature racks that I used.
I don't know how much the rack cost now, but
I was quoted 29.42 each back in 2008. Good
Nature makes a robust rack cloth (pn. 11012)
that was quoted at 33.10 in 2008.
I'm making a second bottom tray using a HDPE
marine fitting. MarineEast 1-1/8" L-head,
pn. 65540W I like this drain since it mounts
flush for a more complete drain, and can be
mounted on the side or the bottom of the
tray.
http://www.marineeast.com/a_sch/sch_caty.asp?pid=05_03&cat=6540W
I'm getting my kit dusted off and ready for
some action, and I wanted to share this info
with anyone making their own press. I hope
to make some modifications to the press this
year to improve mobility and safety, and I'll
pass on that documentation when I can.
Al
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End of Cider Digest #1648
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