224: Ask Ryan | Quarantine Quad Series, Part 4

224: Ask Ryan | Quarantine Quad Series, Part 4

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist May 20, 2020 Duration: 51:25

What is Flor aka Film Yeast and can the cider be saved? It's all in Part 4 of the Quarantine Quad Series called "Ask Ryan" with Ryan Monkman of FieldBird Cider, Ontario Canada answering questions from Cider Chat listeners. Plus, Why are FieldBird Ciders so wine like and "How did Ryan get into cider?"

Ask Ryan pt 4 feature photo episode 224 Cider Chat

Ryan Monkman

Listen Part 1,  Part 2 , Part 3 of the Quarantine Quad Series.

Ryan's chat begins at 7:35 minutes

Flor Tips

  • First indicator of film yeast is seeing what looks like an oil slick on top of the cider.
  • Film yeast will chew up oxygen.
  • If it goes on for more than a couple of weeks you will lose aromatics.
  • Acetobacter will form film yeast that is more bubbly and it will eventually form vinegar.

How FieldBird manages "Flor"

1. Over top the barrel, because film yeast will float.

  • Plunge into the barrel and allow the film yeast to overflow out of the barrel
  • That barrel will get capped and topped off every week.

FieldBird Barrels stacked outside episode 224 Cider Chat

2. Bottom rack.

  • Go right to the bottom of the barrel and take everything and leave the top couple of inches behind.
    • There is a substantial difference in the flavor depending upon where you are pulling the cider out of the barrel.

Respond quickly - because of acetobacter growth and loss of aromatics.

Luckily, 9 out of 10 times the cider isn't impacted.

Contact for Ryan Monkman at FieldBird Cider

Mentions in this chat

Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving!

Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts.


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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 501

Cider Chat
Podcast Episodes
308: Virginia's First Lady of Cider | Diane Flynt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:45
Flynt could have grown pot, but it was apples that really caught her eye Flynt casually joked during this interview that perhaps she could have chosen to become a pot (cannabis) grower as a career before becoming an appl…
307:  Gary Flowers & Diane Flynt | CiderCon2022 Keynotes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:29
Keynote Speakers of CiderCon 2022 Gary Flowers is a keynote speaker, radio host and the tour guide who leads the Jackson Ward history tour. The tour was one of a number of pre-conference tour offerings for CiderCon2022 a…
306: Ciders for Every Season | Elegast Cidery, Netherlands [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:52
Elegast Cidery Beginnings Arjen Meeusem shares his story of living in Portland, Oregon and how a stop at Reverend Nat's Hard Cider to taste the cider inspired him to find out more about this niche market and its viabilit…
305: Cider Chat Live | Maker Tips [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:43
Maker Arjen Meeuwsen of Elegast Cidery Offers business tips before you break ground, when your product is being sold and how to tap into a wider audience. Arjen's goal is "Being Present and Being Visible... and Providing…
304: Falling for the Chocolate Pear [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:20
Falling for the Chocolate Pear Forager of fruits enjoy the hunt of finding hidden trees and more often than not fully laden trees in plain site. Ben Kunesh's path as a forage has led him to fruits of all natures, includi…
303: DIY Wassail Tips [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:27
What is a Wassail A Wassail is a celebration of the orchards, most typically apple orchards to honor the natural world and pay tribute with hopes of an abundant fruiting season moving forward. A Wassail is also a cheer W…
302: Cider Mills of Washtenaw County (1841 to today) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:27
Washtenaw County Cider Mills 1841 - Present Day Patrick McCauley grew up in south eastern Michigan and recalls visiting cider mills as a child, enjoying in the fresh pressed apple juice and the cider donuts. Today he is…
301: "Quality of Life" at the Water Wheel Cider Mill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:52
Building a Water Wheel to Power a Cider Mill Phil Watson grew up on an old farm with an old cider press that powered a water wheel. When a water wheel turns it produces a lot of force, so his mom back then had the old wh…
300: Strange Apples - Make Them POP! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:28
Episode 300 and the song "Strange Apples" In this episode we celebrate the 300th episode of Cider Chat and release a new cider song titled Strange Apples! This song is one part poking fun at ourselves as cidermakers and…
299: Boomer Legends of America's Cider Trade Today [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:23
The Boomers of America's Cider Trade Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider founder Elizabeth Ryan tells the back story of key legislation that reduce taxes for US cidermakers in the 1990's. Though she may consider herself to be…