Apple songs and sing-a-longs helps put a rhythm to the work day and marks Wassail celebrations around the world.

This week's chat we begin with a fun Apple Song led by David Gott, who has worked as a pruner and maker of fresh pressed Sweet Cider. David's banjo style and ability to lead a group in a sing-a-long is reminiscent of the late and legendary singer/songwriter Pete Seeger.

The beginning of this chat, which by the way I recorded while sitting on the floor at my AirBnB while away from home for work, I chat on the basics of 'racking cider over' once the initial fermentation is done.

Tips for racking cider.

• Sanitize all your racking equipment, the outside of the carboy and inside the new carboy (5 or 3 gallon glass vessel).
• Use food grade tubing,
• Use a clothes pin to hold the food grade clear tubing at the mouth of the carboy so it doesn't slide down to the bottom and suck up all the "smutch" on the bottom. Leave that behind and pour off into a mason jar once done, then place the jar into your refrigerator and let is separate. You can then drink the clear liquid off and get to know your cider better on its path to conditioning.
• Use sterile water in the airlock or if you have the cash use vodka in the airlock. The airlock is an S-shaped tube that goes into a stopper. It releases the CO2 that is being produced during the initial fermentation, while keeping Oxygen out.
• The biggest tip is to have fun.

About 13 minutes in we sing two more songs.

The first is make up by David Gott and Rick Stone called Thick Grow the Branches oh!

The second the Wassail Song

Wait till the end and sing-a-long for an oldie but goodie song.

Mentions in this chat

YouTube video of Ria picking the Lady Apple titled: Real Cidermakers pick their own apples

www.hasegawaladders.com/ light weight apple picking ladders

Episode 003: Robert Colnes | Building a Cider House. Robert passes away this past spring. This Sing-a-long was recorded at the farm where Robert and Carol B. Hillman's son built the ciderhouse. Stunning!

Ask for the following 3 #CiderGoingUP Campaign cider supporters - By supporting these cider makers, you in turn help Ciderville.

Big Apple Hard Cider - NYC

Kurant Cider - Pennsylvania

Oliver's Cider and Perry - Herefordshire/UK

Go to this page to see the ciderchat.com show notes page with photos

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