156: Not all lees are gross

156: Not all lees are gross

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist November 28, 2018 Duration: 58:50

Lees: When should we love them and when should we leave them? And what the heck is "lees" anyways?

The main chat in this episode begins around 10 minutes in and features Curt Sherrer presenting his workshop titled "All Lees Are Not Gross" It was recorded at the 24th Annual Franklin County CiderDays.

Not all Lees are gross barrel graphic Cider Chat episode 156

Why rack off the lees?

  • Curt proposes that there are more advantages for aging the cider on the lees then removing the lees.
  • Sur Lie is leaving the lees in the vessel that you are conditioning the cider in is called:
  • What to expect from barrel aging and leaving the cider on the lees is the smell of H2S which smells like rotten eggs.

Find the full show notes for Episode 156 at CiderChat.com

Direct Link at: https://ciderchat.com/podcast/156-not-all-lees/

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There’s a whole world in a glass of cider, and Cider Chat is your invitation to explore it. Hosted by award-winning cidermaker and writer Ria Windcaller, this podcast travels far beyond the bottle to meet the people who make the global cider culture so vibrant. Each conversation is a journey-you might find yourself in a heritage orchard learning the history of forgotten apple varieties, in a bustling taproom with an importer explaining regional traditions, or in a kitchen with a chef pairing cider with unexpected foods. The discussions get into the delightful nuances, too, whether that’s the semantics of what we even call this drink or how the concept of terroir translates from soil to sip. It’s not just about production; it’s about the community, the travel, and the stories that fermentation unlocks. This is for anyone curious about the craft, history, and sheer enjoyment of fermented apple juice in all its forms. So, pour a glass and settle in for a series that feels like a wide-ranging, informative, and genuinely good-humored chat with friends who happen to be obsessed with cider. You’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for every effervescent, tart, or sweet sip, hearing directly from the growers, makers, and enthusiasts who are shaping this drink’s exciting present and future.
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