270: Cidermaker Tips to Avoid Bottle Bombs | Ask Ryan 2021

270: Cidermaker Tips to Avoid Bottle Bombs | Ask Ryan 2021

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist April 28, 2021 Duration: 36:20

Bottle Safely to Avoid Bottle Bombs

If like me you grew up in a house where your parents made homemade everything, chances are they also dabbled in making homemade soda, wine, beer, and cider. Mine sure did and I still recall hearing the popping of root beer bottles in the root cellar. Thankfully, we did have a separate room where the exploding glass bottles only left a mess and didn't hurt anyone else around. Bottle Bombs are dangerous and are caused by fermenting sugar over carbonating a bottle that can't withstand the pressure.

Measure Sugar Content before Bottling

In this episode with Ryan Monkman of FieldBird Cider in Ontario Canada we explore the process of bottling with the goal of bottle conditioning with the final product being one that has a bit of sparkle (read: bubbles).

Ryan Monkman - FieldBird Cider in cellar Ryan Monkman - FieldBird Cider in Kent-He wine cellar

Usually I bottle when the cider has not fully fermented. There is just enough yeast cells in solution that they will continue to munch away on the sugar and produce bubbles creating a sparkling cider that is both pleasing to the palate and as Ryan says,"Bubbles make aromatics pop!"

The hook is that the cider has been aging in the carboy for well over 2 years. The yeast look spent, meaning they are dead yeast cells and any that are still holding on to life won't have enough vitality to multi enough even if priming sugar is added to the cider with the hope of getting a bit of sparkle in the bottle.

Autolysis:  is the destruction (or lysis) of a cell by its own enzymes. This process usually takes place after about 9 months.

What to bottle in to avoid Bottle Bombs

  • Quality glass 
    • Champagne bottles are built for pressure
  • Crown caps are better than flip tops
    • Caps will have tendency to pop off, whereas flip tops can't and thus the glass is under extreme pressure

How to measure residual sugar

Ryans recommendations

Hydrometer is best for determining alcohol, but can't give you a complete measurment on residual sugar

Once you have determine the amount of residual sugar, you can then determine how much sugar and yeast to use for bottling. In the next Episode 271: Sugar, Yeast and Bubbly Bottles, Ryan and I will discuss the next step of how much sugar and what kind of yeast to use.

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
169: History of Alcohol Law | Marc Sorini [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:29
A History of Alcohol Law as presented by Marc Sorini at CiderCon2019, Chicago Attorney Marc Sorini is a Partner at McDermott Will & Emery LLP based in Washington. DC. Marc is considered the go-to attorney on the alcohol…
168: Barrel Aging Cider Inspiration [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:16
Using Oak Barrels in Cidermaking - What do you want to know? Ryan Monkman of FieldBird Cider based in Prince Edward County, Ontario Canada presented an extended seminar on Oak Barrels at CiderCon 2019 in Chicago. [captio…
167: Cider Vortex Tales | Chicago2019 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:09
167: Cider Vortex Tales | Chicago2019 This episodes highlights recordings made during Chicago Cider Week February 1-9, 2019. SHERYL YOUNGBLOOD w/ Terrell Carter CiderCon, the annual Trade Conference for members of the Un…
166: Cider Chat Live | Lift off CiderCon2019 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:12
166 Cider Chat Live | Life off CiderCon2019 I was able to squeak in a mini episode before setting off to Chicago for the annual cider trade conference "CiderCon" hosted by the United States Association of Cider Makers. I…
165: Monterey Bay Cider Tour | California [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:46
Monterey Bay, California cider tour April 12th & 13th, 2019 Reservations are open! Must be 21 years or older to attend. Tour Begins: 1pm Friday | April 12, 2019 in Capitola, California Meet the makers and orchardists of…
164: Soquel Cider's Organic Orchards | California [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:00
Soquel Cider's Organic Orchards | California Soquel Cider is located at the Everett Family Farm in Soquel, California. Laura and Rich Everett were looking for away to get back to the land and enjoying a bit of farming, w…
163: Pro Tips for Navigating CiderCon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:27
Pro Tips for Navigating CiderCon 2019 Ambrosia Borowski is the General Manager of The Northman a cider bar in Chicago. She also spearheaded Chicago Cider Week. In this chat, Ambrosia chats: Tips for making a Calvados Coc…
162: S. Martinelli & Co. | 150 Years of Cider [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:41
S. Martinelli & Company was founded by Stephen Martinelli in 1868. The company is located, as it has always been, for the last 150 years in Watsonville, California. The first cider made by Stephen was a 7.5% alcohol by v…
161: Best of Show | Cider Judging [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:16
Best of Show | Cider Judging at Franklin County CiderDays 2018 is featured in this episode 161. Franklin County CiderDays takes place on the first weekend of November in "Franklin County" Massachusetts. This year 2019 wi…
160: The Way of the Amateur [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:04
The Way of the Amateur How do you pronounce Amateur? Did you know there is more than one way to approach this word? Do you use "amateur" as a compliment or an insult? If you are swinging back and forth on your answers to…