Today I prepared my first batch of hard cider. Why? Why not, I ask you? I want to get in to home brewing beer but in the mean time, I am starting with the simple task of brewing hard cider. I ordered a kit online which is really just a bottle, champagne yeast, and a special filter cap. I added to that a gallon of apple cider and sweetened it with maple syrup and turbinado sugar. To create a lighter aroma, I added lemon oil to the cider. I finished following the easy instructions three hours ago and already I see bubbles of carbon dioxide coming through the special filter cap. Ferment on! The total fermenting time is four weeks but I will try to post a few photos of the cider’s progress.