I love that song but it is true! We got started a little late for our Christmas batches. It is rare that we have both carboys empty at the same time. We started another variation of apple and a cranberry raspberry blend.

What’s Brewing?
We have had a lot of luck with cranberry, though it is always a drier wine. Our house is divided…one side leans to the dry the other to the sweeter batches. I’d tell you which I am but I drink them both.
Apple has been a passion since the beginning. Always one of my favorites and I can’t say we have had a bad batch. No two have been exactly the same. Apple makes me feel like a hero because we keep tweaking the recipe but keep liking the results.
I am in love with cider.
It is about time to give you some recipes.
Apple from Concentrate Recipe: 3 gallon yield
- 12 cups Zulka’s Morena Cane Sugar
- 3 12 oz cans frozen apple juice concentrate (thawed)
- 2 gallons spring water
- 1 packet Red Star yeast “Pateur Champagne”
- 1 1/2 tsp yeast nutrient
- 2 Campden Tablets crushed
Raspberry Cranberry Blend Recipe: 3 gallon yield
- 12 cups Zulka’s Morena Cane Sugar
- 3 12 oz cans frozen apple juice concentrate (thawed)
- 2 gallons spring water
- 1 packet Red Star yeast “Pateur Champagne”
- 1 1/2 tsp yeast nutrient
- 2 Campden Tablets crushed

Christmas Batches
Both are tucked away in the brew closet awaiting racking!
A couple of tricks I learned over the summer from “The Alaskan Bootlegger’s Bible” (ABB) if you have not heard of this book you need to get a copy, the link is to Barnes & Noble but it can also be found on Amazon. Having my choice I would either buy the book at your local brew store or direct from the author at Happy Mountain.
The first I shared in an earlier post, using gelatin in the racking process is amazing. The gelatin forms up a little and acts like a blanket slowly dropping to the bottom catching all the cloudy bits. As Leon W. Kania, explains in the ABB, one packet of gelatin per container. Add the envelop to 1/2 cup of hot water and dissolve. After filling the racking container with wine, slowly pour into the racking container.
It is like magic speeding up the racking process. Our wines have never been clearer and this little trick is now a must.
The second trick is the Campden tablets.
These little wonders have helped the taste profile of our wines and reduced the acidic quality as well. Admittedly I’m not sure how. The tablets kill any wild yeast that may have found it’s way into your batch while allowing the brewing yeast to thrive.
We have a wine rack full of bottles and several more coming out for Christmas. Where are you on your brewing list?
Hope you enjoy!