Ok so what the heck is experi-fermentation? Of course it’s a made-up word! I spent years studying physics at UNBC and during that time I found that my approach to the subject was often unique (read: unorthodox), but I would usually get to the same end. One take away I learned from this was that it seems like the more training you receive in a particular area the more “in the box” you tend to think. Physicists often make their biggest contributions when they are young. Sure, that probably reflects them being at the peak of their intellectual horsepower, but I also think it has something to do with being more willing to ask and pursue those “dumb” questions and being naturally curious about out-there ideas. That trait seems to be harder to hold onto the more educated one is.
I have never taken a course on how to make cider or mead (though I did learn a lot about winemaking techniques working one summer at NLEW. Thanks Noémie, Harold, & Doug!). I have learned by reading, trying, failing, and trying again. The weird thing is that despite all that unorthodoxy in my approach, I describe myself as purist when it comes to cider styles (mead is a different story). Although they affect one another, we need to separate technique from style. I like making traditional style ciders, but as for techniques...there’s wiggle room.
So, back to experi-fermentation…to me it means taking an interesting idea from my head, applying evolving methodologies and putting it into a carboy to see what happens. It’s not just about the ‘what’s next’ pineapple yuzu what-have-you flavour combo. Sometimes innovation is just having a traditional style cider made by wild fermenting, back-sweetening, bottle conditioning, and pasteurizing at just the right time - all in one little bottle. It might look like it’s just another cider on the shelf, but the process that led to it was experi-fermentation.
Mitchell
This is where we you can expect to find the odd video, some pictures, and long drawn out explanations conveying the Why behind what we make at slaughterhouse craft.