wheat beer split

[sam.k]

hey guys.
tomorrow after work I hope to start my first wheat beer off.
the recipe is simple
2.5kg wheat malt
2.5kg pale malt

20g bobek 90 mins

WYeast 3068 Weihenstephan Weizen.

this was going to be my first BIAB but the grain bag I purchased is way to small to fit my boiler so I will just have to bodge my broken mashtun up a bit unless I can suspend a small bag in a large boiler somehow lol

now when the brew has finished fermenting out I intend to bottle half straight away and then spike the other half with some frozen berries of some variety and re ferment.
should be a laugh.

 

[calumscott]

Have fun! I'm on the BIAB wheat tomorrow too...

 

[iceo]

is it a week for wheat? good luck with yours

 

[sam.k]

Could I float a closed grain bag in my boiler to mash in? I can't see why I couldn't.

 

[pittsy]

sure you can , just move it around a little like a tea bag at the start

 

[sam.k]

LOL brings new meaning to making a brew!!

that has made me very happy.
now pittsy, god of wheat, any helpful tips to help me on my first wheaty journey?

 

[pittsy]

step mash (but that's more for next time ) is top tip , ferment at 20c not 18 or 22 ( it can have a very different outcome otherwise) Use Belgian or German grains . prime on the top end , it wants and needs it .

 

[sam.k]

I guess I can miss out the usual whirloc tablet?

 

[pittsy]

campden tab yes all others no need , no need for 2nd fv either and it should ferment in around 4 days but a few more is best , not 14 days though . And make sure you boil for at least 70 mins (i do 90) all the protein in wheat = longer boil needed ( long winded reason why )

 

[sam.k]

ok, conditioning times on wheats are pretty short as well are they not?

how much will it benefit from a stepped mash?

 

[calumscott]

ok, conditioning times on wheats are pretty short as well are they not?

Pretty much as soon as it's fully fizzy.

how much will it benefit from a stepped mash?

I've only done two and stepped them both - the very fact I'm doing the same recipe again tomorrow says something... You're BIABing, there's no reason not to! :thumb:

 

[sam.k]

Hmmm I may step my mash then, I wonder how it will go with a single element...

 

[calumscott]

You'll be fine! I'm trying to step mash a full 70l pot on the hob...

There's going to be a sore arm at the end of it!!!

 

[Brycey]

I'm also on my first biab wheat tonight !

3kg pale wheat(weyermann)
1.75 kg pilsner malt(weyermann)
300g carahell
20g hallertau(90mins)
15g hallertau(15 mins)
Wlp 380 yeast

I was just going to mash at 66oc but if step mashing is easy and improves the beer then i may give it a go.
What temps and times am i looking for?

Cheers
B

 

[pittsy]

There are many different versions of what temp to mash at , i do 41c 15 mins , 50c for 45 mins , 63c for 15 mins and 71c for 45 mins . More clove then mash a little longer at 41c (30 mins), less banana then less at 50c (say 25/30 mins) drier beer mash 63c for 30 mins , still do 71c for 45 mins then mash out at 76c (10 mins rest). it seems a lot to do but once you get used to it it's fine.

 

[brewtim]

There are many different versions of what temp to mash at , i do 41c 15 mins , 50c for 45 mins , 63c for 15 mins and 71c for 45 mins . More clove then mash a little longer at 41c (30 mins), less banana then less at 50c (say 25/30 mins) drier beer mash 63c for 30 mins , still do 71c for 45 mins then mash out at 76c (10 mins rest). it seems a lot to do but once you get used to it it's fine.

What happens at 50 C ? I always thought this was a protein rest for unmodified malts, is Beta amylase at work here?

 

[sam.k]

well the mash is done, not sure how it went really, I am just heating up to the boil now.

 

[sam.k]

blimey this is trying to crawl out of the bucket!

 

[calumscott]

:lol: Yeah, they can be a bit lively the wheat yeasts!

I'm using Rob's 30 litre buckets with 20 litres of wort in each. 10l headspace... Danstar Munich yeast... It got close! :lol:

 

[sam.k]

well its been going for a week and its still got a yeasty head ontop.
will this sink when its finished or as its top fermenting will it stay put?
im loath to try and hook a sample out to drop a hydro into as I don't want to disturb the yeast