Batch #13

Yesterday I started a new batch, following on the process from the previous several batches. But unlike any of the previous batches, I decided to try something fairly different with this recipe. Recipe #13:

• 6 gallon Kirkland's apple juice
• 1 pack Wyeast Whitbread (1099) Direct Pitch Activator
• ~1/2 cup of raisins
• 2 lemons
• 2 Earl Grey tea bags

I had been reading some blogs about adding tannins and acidity, so I decided to experiment with my base recipe and see what happens. So, prior to adding juice and yeast to the carboy, I added to a pot:

• 1/2 gallon apple juice
• juice of 2 lemons
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 2 Earl Grey tea bags

I cooked this mixture on the stove for 30 minutes at a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. I then added this to the carboy along with the remaining 5 1/2 gallons of juice. I then pitched the yeast.

Amy brought to my attention that Earl Grey might not have been the best choice for tea if I was just looking for tannins, as Earl Grey has added oils and is quite strong in flavor. So we'll see how this turns out. :-)