ricky
Contributor
Posts: 21
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Post by ricky on Dec 2, 2014 9:42:41 GMT -5
This is the first time I've made Brandon O's Graff (found here: www.homebrewtalk.com/f81/graff-malty-slightly-hopped-cider-117117/)I wanted to try something a little different. A lot of ciders are way too sweet for my tastes and while I really like the dry and tart taste of some, I wanted something in between. Something with more mouthfeel that wouldn't need to age very long to be enjoyable. Hopefully folks don't feel too cheated at getting a cider instead of a proper beer, but there's malt and hops in it 4 gallons apple juice 2lbs amber LME 0.5lbs Crystal/Caramel 120L 1oz torrified wheat (for head retention) 0.5oz German Tradition hops (6.9% AA) (1) packet Safale US-05 yeast OG: 1.050 FG: 1.010 ABV: 5.25% Bottled: 2014-10-04
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Post by carboywonder on Dec 2, 2014 12:21:40 GMT -5
Been wanting to make this for awhile. Excited to try it later on.
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Post by Kyle H. on Dec 2, 2014 12:36:09 GMT -5
I thoroughly enjoyed this.
The graff poured a nice amber with a decent head of foam. There is a nice apple aroma, I don't pick up any of the hops. The malt adds a nice body, so the beer/cider has a better mouthfeel than most ciders I've tasted. The malt comes through as it warms up with a good, but not overwhelming apple flavor throughout.
I think I'm going to have to make this. Thanks for sharing!
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kczar
Contributor
Posts: 12
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Post by kczar on Dec 2, 2014 19:21:34 GMT -5
Well done! This certainly surprised me when I first sipped it but made so much sense after reading the recipe. I really enjoyed (am currently enjoying) this beer.
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Post by jkw4701 on Dec 2, 2014 19:58:22 GMT -5
Glad to see another cider in the bunch-- I have to admit that I am more partial to a sweet cider, but this tastes very similar to the Woodchuck Winter with its oaky notes. Thanks for the recipe, it's good to see other ways to brew cider that I haven't tried!
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arne
Contributor
Posts: 5
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Post by arne on Dec 2, 2014 20:35:49 GMT -5
I thoroughly enjoyed this. DITTO! Sorry Kyle, but you so eloquently put my feelings about this beer/cider mashup into words that I just had to quote you. Aroma-wise, it definitely smells like a cider - all apples. Presentation is excellent, it's clear and has outstanding head retention. The mouthfeel and body are excellent - light but not thin, with a semi-sweet malty finish. The Caramel 120 plus the cider makes for a killer tannin-y, caramel-apple-y aftertaste, a batch of this would be drink drank drunk in no time.
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Post by deansquishman on Dec 2, 2014 21:02:15 GMT -5
Ok --so I tried this without knowing what it was and the first taste hit me like a sour beer with a nice apple after taste---I am still exploring the world of sour beers and getting used to this flavor---By the third sip it was just right---My wife debated back and forth with me as to whether it was more of a sour beer or a cider---It went well with a greek salad tonight and makes me wish I had another to have for desert---can't wait to try another cider.
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Post by brewingbryan on Dec 2, 2014 21:15:33 GMT -5
Pretty much what Kyle said. This was really good. A skid selection on the hops, which seem to balance the rest out perfectly. More Apple-tinged beer than beery cider, which may or may not make sense.
Either way, I really enjoyed it!
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Post by BullseyeBrewing on Dec 2, 2014 21:23:32 GMT -5
I too tried this without knowing what it was! Like the added body from the malt. I did not get any head with normal pour. I'm partial to dry ciders, definitely would like to make this one.
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Post by Greg M on Dec 2, 2014 21:52:58 GMT -5
Real tasty! I'm not a huge cider drinker, but I could see keeping this one around regularly.
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Post by Scott H on Dec 2, 2014 22:21:20 GMT -5
So this is a pretty legendary recipe... I stumbled onto it a few years ago after reading up on ciders and seeing the post on homebrewtalk.com (I even reference it in my post for last year's advent calendar beer). On to the tasting! I like this a lot. I'm a cider fanboy, and the maltiness combined with the tart apple kick is perfect. It was great that you were able to bottle this so early... I'm more of a "do my homework the night before" kind of person. That time in the bottle (queue 70's song) really let the flavors mature. Ciders are notorious for needing some time and patience, and the flavor of this beer was nicely matured. It's really great to have a cider in the advent calendar lineup too. Very well done!
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Post by carboywonder on Dec 2, 2014 23:54:34 GMT -5
Been wanting to brew this for awhile now. Not going to lie. Wasn't so sure about it after the first few sips but it grew on me. Excited to try this with some dark malt. Might add some chocolate or roasted barley. I think it might help balance some of the sweetness I get.
Thanks for sharing!
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ricky
Contributor
Posts: 21
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Post by ricky on Dec 3, 2014 7:40:52 GMT -5
I'm really glad y'all liked it!
Like Scott said, it's pretty legendary. When I stumbled across it on HBT, I knew I had heard of it before and then remembered Scott had mentioned it last year. Figured I had to try it.
Now that I know what it's "supposed" to taste like, I might try another batch with some sort of variation. Thanks for the feedback!
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Post by derrickristina on Dec 4, 2014 17:14:11 GMT -5
Definitely enjoyed this. I've been sampling some of the other malted/hopped ciders to be coming around through the bar and it's a unique idea but they seem to take the hop thing a tad far from time to time. This was nicely done and it didn't take away from what it was supposed to be.
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Post by tallguybrewer on Dec 7, 2014 10:28:50 GMT -5
Running a bit behind on a few beers. I thought this was great and will definitely be something that I will brew up in the future. I will probably use a lower color crystal malt when I give it a shot
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