Wheat Beer augmentation!!

[kakistos_uk]

Hi Folks

Me again, could I ask another question?? I want to do a wheat beer but I’m happy to stick to Coopers kits while I’m learning (I’m getting itchy feet, I can’t think the jump to AG is far away). I’ve heard the kit can be disappointing but I’ve had wonderful results with their stout so wish to give it ago.

I was going to do a coopers hefe wheat kit with 2 x 500g of wheat crystal malt. I’ve read here that it can be augmented to include coriander seeds and orange. Crush the seeds, zest and maybe juice the oranges and boil to sterilise .

My question is does this concoction go in during primary?

If so, I wanted to add extra orange peel to bump up the orange flavour when in the secondary vessel (I don’t do mild). How do I sterilise the orange peel to avoid contamination? Should I just use orange juice?

Also, I’m lazy and haven’t used my hydrometer much. I’ve no idea how much the wheat malt will increase the ABV. Other than brewing sugar - can anyone recommend a good sugar to add extra flavour? I thought about honey but apparently it will make the beer dry…

Any advice would be welcome. I’m hoping to get it going in a week so need to get shopping.

Thanks as always, sorry for the essay.

Kakistos.

 

[IainM]

I did a Coopers Wheat with 1kg wheat DME, 31g dried Curaçao orange peel from HBC, 22g cracked coriander seed and 500ml home-made amber candi sugar (equivalent to 530g sugar). I heated and boiled the peel and seed for 4 mins in about 4.5L of water and left steeping for about an hour with the occasional stir. Brewed it short to 20L and pitch a packet of Brewferm Blance yeast. It came out pretty good, though not as hazy as a real Belgian wit. The spice and orange taste was present but subtle, which was good as it would've been unbalanced if it the orange or coriander were too obvious. You could use crystal wheat, but don't expect it to come out like a traditional wheat beer.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Hi Folks

Me again, could I ask another question??

No need to ask just fire away the more the merrier.

 

[chub1]

Why not try an extract wheat beer,easy to do.Spray wheat malt,can include some light spraymalt as well if wished.Corriander seeds crushed along with some bitter dried orange peel(easily obtainable,online) towards end of the boil,around 10 mins and saaz hops at start of boil..Plenty of recipies kicking around online or books.You will need a decent size pan however.
If still doing the kit,boil the curacao peel and crushed seeds for 10 mins.25 grams of each should do in a 40 pint kit.
Probably more expensive than slinging a can in the FV but more 'your own brew':thumb:

 

[kakistos_uk]

Sorry for the delay - I like the idea of orange peel and seeds to increase the taste.

Seriously stupid question but would this mix go in the primary fermenter?

I normally keg my beer for a month before I age it.

Should I add it in here instead?

Thanks!

 

[Sandimas]

I tried the coriander and orange peel with the Coopers kit but, to be honest, I wasn't that impressed.

I did this one after and it produced a much more authentic wheat beer without the coriander and orange peel
https://www.brewuk.co.uk/bavarian-wiess.html