Apple Ale- Three questions

[bernardsmith]

Not sure the best section to post these three related questions, but here goes:
I have brewed a number of apple ales and when I do, I brew with whole grains. However, I have a batch of hard cider that I would like to transform into an apple ale (I prefer apple ale in the fall and cider in the summer) and I was considering simply adding DME. My question: DME does not need to be boiled so can this simply be added to the pre-existing hard cider with the expectation that the yeasts still in the cider will gorge themselves stupid on the DME or should I be concerned about introducing contaminants. The cider is already at an ABV of about 5 percent.
Does it make sense to dissolve the DME in apple juice ? in water? to lower the final gravity to about 7 - 8 percent or will the DME dissolved in the cider be a better bet (no dilution and a higher ABV of around 9 -10% )
If I were to add specialty grains like Crystal 40 or 60 for flavor (not for sugar), can these be added with the DME cold and will the cider extract the flavor from these grains (Again, I am not looking to convert any starches to sugar).
Thoughts?

 

[javalin]

1. As long as your measuring equipment is sterilized adding DME straight into the cider shouldn't be a problem, I've poured DME straight from the bag into my carboy without any negative effects.

2. Dissolving the DME in some apple juice before hand probably wouldn't be a bad idea though, and it would probably be easier to get it to dissolve that way. I wouldn't recommend using water for the simple fact of flavor dilution. You could still get your higher ABV this way.

3. I can't think of a reason that the flavors wouldn't be extracted by cold steeping, though it would probably take alot longer to get the flavors out of the grain. The proteins might impede the clarity of your ale as well. I think a better bet would be to add the grains to boiling water for a while, you still won't get any starch conversion since you're essentially breaking down the enzymes with heat, but you would get your flavor faster, and the proteins should flocculate and sink. You could then basically do a boil and add your DME here. Two birds, one stone.

 

[bernardsmith]

Sounds like a plan.. Thanks, Javalin.

 

[javalin]

Glad to be of assistance.

Forgot to mention you could also boil your grains and DME in apple juice to avoid dilution, though some would say that causes problems with clarity. I've never had an issue though.

 

[phug]

Or boil/ steep your grains and extract in water, chill, and then add apple juice concentrate to manufacturer's speca


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[bernardsmith]

Or boil/ steep your grains and extract in water, chill, and then add apple juice concentrate to manufacturer's speca


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

I could add apple juice concentrate if I did not have a gallon or two of hard cider I wanted to transform into apple ale