Premium Hard Apple Cider Complete Kit from New Zealand, Makes 5-6 gallons

Delivered fast. Made 6 Gallons via traditional carboy method with little issue. It took a full 5 weeks to ferment rather than what is claimed in the description, which from my experience is normal. I've made many many batches using cider from local mill. This was not quite as good as the fresh local cider but a bit less expensive and can be stored for off season (if packaged properly) . Would have given it 4 stars but the concentrate bag had a pin hole in it that caused a small mess. It did not seem to cause any contamination/growth but may have caused the slight off taste. Customer service was prompt to respond to my email. Would buy again if available in the off season and the same reduced price.

Having come from Vermont, it's a bit hard to resort to a kit - but it's what's available for now. I am giving this a three star review because the instruction label on the concentrate refers to a web page that shows as not found. I am optimistic that the final result will be good. Assuming it is, I will update this review with the relevant details.For now, I'm at an original gravity of 1.039. Here's hoping for something good :).UPDATE 1: Added a star for quick customer service response. There's still a dead link ... but there is a recipes part of their website. I don't think it's formatted clearly, but their service seems on the spot.UPDATE 2: Ten days and stalled at 1.020. Temperature has been controlled at 72-73F the entire time. Repitched 5g of the exact same yeast today. Hoping to salvage something here.UPDATE 3: Got it down to 1.006 with the second dose of yeast. Cold crashed and sat a week. Bottled 5/9 - hurry up and wait.

My expectations for an apple juice concentrate kit were low, but I was still disappointed by this kit. Like many other reviewers, my shipment arrived with a leak in the inner bag. An outer ziplock, while thoughtful, didn't fully contain the leak and an unknown (albeit small) quantity was lost. After blending the remaining concentrate with water to make 5 gallons, I measured the OG at a reasonable 1.050 and the acidity at a modest pH of 3.7. The provided Safale S-04 yeast was vigorous, and I appreciated the inclusion of yeast nutrient. Unfortunately, the dark caramel color and baked apple smell suggested that the juice had been thoroughly cooked. Another disappointment was the blend: 50% Gala, 25% Braeburn and 25% Jazz. Yes, at least it's a blend. Still, in a kit marketed to ciderists, I'd hoped to find more than just dessert apples. A similar quantity of organic, not-from-concentrate (but pasteurized) dessert apple juice from the supermarket is comparable in cost but superior in fresh apple taste and smell.

This kit makes a surprisingly good cider, especially considering it is made from desert apples. It does end up on the sweet side, but that's better than too dry. I was pleased with the body and everyone who tried it liked it. I'm still hoping to find a way to make cider from locally sourced ingredients but this is a great kit for someone who wants to get it right the first time

I make lots of cider. I've made lots of cider. This concentrate is a steal! I would recommend this kit to anyone, especially a beginner. Super happy

This kit is overrated. Buying these components separately is less than a quarter of the price. The resulting taste was good enough, although I overcarbonated which takes some away from it.

Disregard the time line in the instructions. For best results, let ferment for 1 month (don't rack). After 1 month, bottle, and let sit for another month. Everyone was begging me for the recipe after I let them taste it :)

I was really unsure how it would turn out, being my first cider I've brewed, but couldn't have been happier at the finished product or response I got from friends this weekend at our Halloween party. Everyone loved it and the keg was almost empty by yesterday morning. Looking forward to finishing it tonight and ordering another kit for the holidays. Also the customer service is top notch. You can tell these guys are passionate about their product!