Graff (Malty, slightly hopped cider) - Page 24

strangebrew · 09-01-2009, 01:52 AM

I made a half batch tonight and omitted the hops. I boiled the water and DME but should I skip the boil next time since I am not adding hops? Hydro sample tastes great!

Recluse · 09-01-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strangebrew

I made a half batch tonight and omitted the hops. I boiled the water and DME but should I skip the boil next time since I am not adding hops? Hydro sample tastes great!

I'm a n00b brewer, so don't take this as gospel, but I generally see and use short boils (15-30 min) for All Extract brews to be sure of dissolving all the DME and of course for sanitization/sterilization process. I'm planning the same thing, half batch or maybe 3 gal with no hops as well.

Was thinking of adding some Mugwort for bittering, but this might be a little too weird for a first try at Graff!

Especially since I probably won't get a taste of my Mugwort Ale before starting the Graff.

tim1088 · 09-01-2009, 02:19 PM

I guess one more question.... Since all that has bubbled up out of the cider to the top of the carboy should I stir/push it back down into it???

**Coastarine** · 09-01-2009, 02:43 PM

That gunk on the top of the carboy is dried krausen, it is completely normal, and you can leave it just like it is. It is all yeast.

wscott823 · 09-01-2009, 03:13 PM

+1 I get crusty krausen on nearly every brew I start in the carboy

Recluse · 09-01-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim1088

I guess one more question.... Since all that has bubbled up out of the cider to the top of the carboy should I stir/push it back down into it???

How much headspace did you have? I am considering a 3-4 gal batch in a 5 gal carboy or possibly a 2.5 gal batch in a 3 gal Better Bottle. Will probably rig a blowoff in any case, but I think the 3 gal/5 gal carboy should be pretty safe...but 4/5 or 2.5/3 might be pushing it depending on how frothy the Nottingham gets.

**Coastarine** · 09-01-2009, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Recluse

How much headspace did you have? I am considering a 3-4 gal batch in a 5 gal carboy or possibly a 2.5 gal batch in a 3 gal Better Bottle. Will probably rig a blowoff in any case, but I think the 3 gal/5 gal carboy should be pretty safe...but 4/5 or 2.5/3 might be pushing it depending on how frothy the Nottingham gets.

I got sick of thinking that I wouldn't need a blowoff then finding a mess in my fermentation chamber. I use one on every beer/cider in primary. I can't remember the last beer that I had that didn't need it. You might not need it with plenty of space but why not?

Recluse · 09-01-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coastarine

I got sick of thinking that I wouldn't need a blowoff then finding a mess in my fermentation chamber. I use one on every beer/cider in primary. I can't remember the last beer that I had that didn't need it. You might not need it with plenty of space but why not?

+1 Good advice.. Most of my experience was with small batches of Mead. I treated my first batch of ale the same way..and quickly learned the wisdom of a blowoff.. and happily watched my 2nd batch of ale blowing off harmlessly. Just didn't know if malty cider behaved the same as 'normal' wort.

imprez25 · 09-02-2009, 09:50 PM

Three weeks in primary. I brewed my graff on August 12, 2009 and I haven't had a chance to get it into bottles. The gravity started at 1.062 and is now at 1.008. I wont be able to get it into bottles until at least Friday, possibly Saturday. Should I be worried about letting it set for this long on the yeast? For beer I wouldn't really care, but this is my first cider (style drink

.

tim1088 · 09-03-2009, 01:41 PM

After 3 days my cider has seemed to stop "bubbling" completely should I just take a hydro reading to see where I'm at or is there any way of trying to get the yeast working again?

Also it is VERY cloudy still and kinda dark, anything I can do at this point? It went into the primary on sunday night.