Graff (Malty, slightly hopped cider)

[Picobrew]

I'm ready to do this tonight. I have a starter of Wyeast 3068 that I'm going to use. Won't be clean like the OP but I think it will be tasty. I'm going to go with 2oz of torrified and use Crystal 120L because that is what I have on hand. This is going to be sort of a Hefegraff. If this works out well I'd also like to try this with a Saison yeast.

 

[ChshreCat]

Oh, this would be REALLY interesting with a estery belgian yeast.

 

[KingBrianI]

I've gotta tell ya, this smells a hell of a lot better fermenting than apfelwein does!

 

[Picobrew]

Almost done boiling. Will let you know how it turns out w/ the 3068 in a few weeks!

 

[Brandon O]

I've gotta tell ya, this smells a hell of a lot better fermenting than apfelwein does!

that's because apfelwein uses the worst yeast possible (montrachet, even wine makers think it is subpar) and presents its self as an apple flavored drink when it really tastes like cheap white wine.

 

[Brandon O]

Almost done boiling. Will let you know how it turns out w/ the 3068 in a few weeks!

what are you boiling? this recipe doesn't call for any boiling. boiling juice, you will need some pectic enzyme otherwise that stuff will jelly up.

 

[Coastarine]

Add DME and bring to a boil.
Add hops when boiling starts and boil for 30 mins.

what are you boiling? this recipe doesn't call for any boiling. boiling juice, you will need some pectic enzyme otherwise that stuff will jelly up.

Dude...you wrote this recipe.

 

[Picobrew]

Dude...you wrote this recipe.

hahah that was what i was thinking.

 

[Shooter]

Yep, I'm pretty sure you're okay boiling the malt extract and hops. So far, MOST of my beers have used that technique and not had any issues...apple juice on the other hand!!!

 

[johnyrrr]

what are you boiling? this recipe doesn't call for any boiling. boiling juice, you will need some pectic enzyme otherwise that stuff will jelly up.

This is what happens when Brandon is on the computer on his own Graff:cross::rockin:

 

[Picobrew]

So I put in a little bit more juice than I should have and my glass carboy (5g) was VERY full. I knew this was super risky since we aren't using Montrachet, so I hooked up a blowoff, even though I had foam control drops in there.

Good bloody thing!!


Here are pics of the blowoff jug after round 1 of blowoff, and of my very full carboy.

 

[Brandon O]

Dude...you wrote this recipe.

haha, sorry. I was tanked i'm sure.


Nice pics by the way.

 

[bobjohnson77]

I made this last night and pitched it about 11:00 no real bubbles yet is that normal for safale-04? first time I have used it. Ihave a blowoff rigged up too just in case...I am using a 6 gallon carboy as well. I followed the recipe to the letter and used Tettanang(sp?) for the hops.

 

[Limited Visibility]

I think this will be my next cider! Come on pay day

 

[Brandon O]

I made this last night and pitched it about 11:00 no real bubbles yet is that normal for safale-04? first time I have used it. Ihave a blowoff rigged up too just in case...I am using a 6 gallon carboy as well. I followed the recipe to the letter and used Tettanang(sp?) for the hops.

you will see some thick krausen tonight I am sure. I use nottingham and s-05 frequently, so s-04 is pretty similar and I'd say you are right on track.

Keep the reviews coming! This is the best stuff people have never tried!

 

[bobjohnson77]

Bubbling away quite nicely! can't wait till it's done

 

[fidjit]

Can't wait to try this. I have about 9 gravenstein apple trees and we just thinned them out. I hope to press some juice and try this recipe this summer. Has anyone had luck with fresh pressed juice? Did you filter or pectic enzymes?

 

[johnyrrr]

I just made the recipie
with 1 lbs cascade 60lbs steeped in applejuice at 165-170 for 40 min.
nottingham yeast
1.75 lbs Muntons light hopped LME
5 gallons motts. I put it in a 6gal carboy so when it calms down I am going to top off the carboy with an additional gallon of motts apple juice I think so I have a full 6 gal.

Only time will tell.

Oh and I was drinking original applewien while making this graFF SO that should enhance the flavors. I didnt take a hydro reading, what do you guys think it will finish at???

 

[Freezeblade]

I just made the recipie
with 1 lbs cascade 60lbs steeped in applejuice at 165-170 for 40 min.
nottingham yeast
1.75 lbs Muntons light hopped LME
5 gallons motts. I put it in a 6gal carboy so when it calms down I am going to top off the carboy with an additional gallon of motts apple juice I think so I have a full 6 gal.

Only time will tell.

Oh and I was drinking original applewien while making this graFF SO that should enhance the flavors. I didnt take a hydro reading, what do you guys think it will finish at???

Well, I think that you meant "oz" not "lbs"
Did you brew this from the couch on your porch?

 

[Brandon O]

I just made the recipie
with 1 lbs cascade 60lbs steeped in applejuice at 165-170 for 40 min.
nottingham yeast
1.75 lbs Muntons light hopped LME
5 gallons motts. I put it in a 6gal carboy so when it calms down I am going to top off the carboy with an additional gallon of motts apple juice I think so I have a full 6 gal.

Only time will tell.

Oh and I was drinking original applewien while making this graFF SO that should enhance the flavors. I didnt take a hydro reading, what do you guys think it will finish at???

I think your brew is gonna taste very bitter and hoppy which may be out of place with all the apple flavor.
first off, 1oz of hops is too much. The hops are only meant to provide a very light counter to the slight tart flavor. Then adding hopped DME on top of it? Try brewing it with out any hops next time. It's really good with out hops too.

 

[Brandon O]

updated the original recipe.

 

[johnyrrr]

I think your brew is gonna taste very bitter and hoppy which may be out of place with all the apple flavor.
first off, 1oz of hops is too much. The hops are only meant to provide a very light counter to the slight tart flavor. Then adding hopped DME on top of it? Try brewing it with out any hops next time. It's really good with out hops too.

Huge typo on my part sorry:
1lbs of 60 L crystal malt, not a hop addition at all.
I didnt add any hops as I uhad light hopped malt extract already.
It is cooking away, I have never used nottinghams yeast, that stuff has a frosty head on it for sure.

 

[fidjit]

Huge typo on my part sorry:
1lbs of 60 L crystal malt, not a hop addition at all.
I didnt add any hops as I uhad light hopped malt extract already.
It is cooking away, I have never used nottinghams yeast, that stuff has a frosty head on it for sure.

I just used Nottingham yeast on the last brew and it had a very frosty head, then it got very foamy on top and finished fermentation quickly.

 

[cellophanetower]

Is this something that can be scaled down to a 1gal (besides dividing the above by 5)? I've never steeped grain in such little volume of H2O. Maybe, I could steep in apple juice if I'm willing to deal with a pectic haze. I dunno. Any suggestions?

 

[Brandon O]

.25 lb of 60L

I wouldn't mess with the torified wheat.

Steep that in .25 gallons of water.

then add .5 lbs of DME and boil for 5 mins, don't mess with the hops for a one gallon batch.

add all that in a one gallon fermenter with .75 gallons apple juice.

use the whole pack of nottingham. you may need a blow off.

 

[johnyrrr]

how long should i let it sit after ferm stops, does it finish clear?

 

[dap325]

I just brewed up a batch of Graff tonight.


.5lb Crystal 60L
1oz Carapils (LHBS didn't have torrified wheat)
1lb Gold DME
1lb Amber DME
4 gallons apple juice
.5oz Fuggle Hops
Nottingham Yeast


Smelled really good in the carboy. Hydro sample tasted excellent. OG 1.060.
I can't wait till this is done. There is a party on 6/27 and I hope to have the family taste this great recipe. Gonna primary 2 weeks then bottle half and keg half. Can't wait... thanks Brandon!

 

[Brandon O]

how long should i let it sit after ferm stops, does it finish clear?

Ferment for 2 weeks, but your hydrometer should be the real judge.

I've never let any sit in the carboy for more than 2 weeks so I don't know if it clears.

 

[kenche]

What is the sweetness level like. I do find apfelwein a bit dry for my liking, and prefer not to back sweeten.

 

[Coastarine]

Mine is kegged, I have a tough time judging the taste of a sample but it was definitely less tart than my previous ciders.