Malt Cider?

[mitchnicholas]

I'll start by saying that I have not brewed a cider before. I am an avid home brewer of beer although. Just wondering if adding crystal 40 to a cider to give some unfermentable sweetness is something that would work. My plan is probably to use frozen juice from concentrate or bottled juice. I'd like to have a little more body and slight sweetness from some crystal malt. Maybe some cinnamon and nutmeg as well. I don't keg, so it will be bottled and carbonated post fermentation. Just wondering if anyone has tried this,and if so how did it go?

 

[verboten]

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/threads/graff-malty-slightly-hopped-cider.117117/

Mine is on tap right now

 

[mitchnicholas]

Thanks for the information verboten!

 

[Evan55]

Ive made graff several times and it just tastes like cheap light beer. Not worth the effort IMO

 

[verboten]

Hmm, mine tastes like a nice tart apple beer.

 

[ten80]

Hmm, mine tastes like a nice tart apple beer.

Likewise! I've made 3 batches and they were all enjoyed by friends. I just pour liquid malt extract into the carboy once the fermentation begins to slow, approximately 3 lbs for 5gal of cider. I've used wheat, vienna, and munich LME to match the flavor profile of the apples. A more robust apple flavor can balance nicely with the darker LMEs. The LME leaves behind some body and can help balance the bitterness and/or sharp hope flavors that can I've found can sometimes happen with hops in cider.

 

[gratus fermentatio]

I've been playing with BrandonO's basic graff recipe for a few years now & it's VERY adaptable & nearly goof-proof.
Regards, GF.