I started my first cider not that long ago (5 gals, w/crushed campden, Pectic Enzyme, Yeast Nutrient, and Nottingham -- added 24hrs after campden). It's been sitting happily, clearing nicely, for about 6 weeks now.
I bought another gal (UV pasteurized only, no preservatives) with the intent that I would pour it into the original batch to top up the fermenter when I move it all to secondary in a day or two. After about 10 days in the fridge, the new gal is now all puffy and fizzy with an active ferment (and actually blew over a bit., spilling about 25% into the refrigerator.
The question is, what to do with my accidental cider from the fridge. Since there is a clearly wild yeast strain happily munching away, would it be a bad idea to add this to my big batch in the fermenter? Can I just keep opening the cap a but every day for another week or so to vent the bottle and let it keep going then drink, or should I just drink it now and enjoy the slight funk before it goes any further? Is there anything I can/should do to keep it from becoming apple cider vinegar and make sure it stays drinkable? Or should I just chalk up this gallon jug as a loss?
I bought another gal (UV pasteurized only, no preservatives) with the intent that I would pour it into the original batch to top up the fermenter when I move it all to secondary in a day or two. After about 10 days in the fridge, the new gal is now all puffy and fizzy with an active ferment (and actually blew over a bit., spilling about 25% into the refrigerator.
The question is, what to do with my accidental cider from the fridge. Since there is a clearly wild yeast strain happily munching away, would it be a bad idea to add this to my big batch in the fermenter? Can I just keep opening the cap a but every day for another week or so to vent the bottle and let it keep going then drink, or should I just drink it now and enjoy the slight funk before it goes any further? Is there anything I can/should do to keep it from becoming apple cider vinegar and make sure it stays drinkable? Or should I just chalk up this gallon jug as a loss?