wheat beer

[robsan77]

I'd like to make a wheat beer but what do I use.

Can anyone give me a quick low down. I have some torrified wheat will that do it? What kind of percentages do I need ie: is it pale malt 50% wheat malt 50%. Do you use a lager or beer yeast?

 

[warra48]

What type of wheat beer do you prefer to make?

There are various styles, and they all require different ingredients and yeasts.

There's Bavarian Hefeweizen (and dunkelweizen etc)
Berliner Weisse
Belgian Wit
American Wheat or Hefeweizen.

Once you decide what you wish to make, you should get a more definitive answer.

 

[robsan77]

hmmm, that would be a good point. I'd better do some research and find out.

 

[Dunfie]

A basic wheat beer is really simple and always turns out great. I got this one from Phil and I know a few of the lads have done in with great success. It also drinks well when very young.

50% Pale Malt
50% Wheat Malt

Approximately 20 ibu of something like Hersbrucker or Saaz at start of boil

The key though is the yeast, you won't get the typical flavours unless you use a proper wheat beer yeast. For a neutral, cleaner beer you could try Brewferm Blanche. You could try Safbrew WB-06 to get some of the more typical esther/clove/banana flavours. If you want to tamper with some liquid yeast the WYEAST Weihenstephan Wheat 3068 seems to be favourite.

Also, to get the typical flavours you will want to ferment at a higher temp than you would an ale - perhaps up to mid 20sC

 

[robsan77]

thanks for that.

 

[Vossy1]

I've done Phils recipe numerous times and it's a winner :thumb:
Even swimbo's brewed it and she's threatening to do another one soon, it's one of the only 'beers' she likes

 

[bolty]

Here is one I did, and all I can say is pure WIN! Had the last 2 litres Sunday night and will be brewing it again soon! :thumb:

http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=3526&p=35858

 

[Dunfie]

Here is one I did, and all I can say is pure WIN! Had the last 2 litres Sunday night and will be brewing it again soon! :thumb:

http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=3526&p=35858

that looked a fine brew Bolty. I have always threatened to use some corriander and orange peel but never got around to it. Perhaps I will get one done for summer. :thumb:

 

[robsan77]

I like the look of that. Question: I'd like to make a fruity wheat beer, so for a recipe like that one how much fresh fruit should I add (replacing orange and corriander)? And how much extra fermentation will I get from it? I'm thinking blackberrys, cherry maybe, ???

 

[robsan77]

bump: really stuck with how much fruit to put in guys. Anyone done something similar before??? I'd like to get this brew on this weekend.
also I am unsure how to use the fresh fruit. Do I boil it? How long? Is there anything else I need to add? Maybe the wine guys have some knowledge on this.

 

[Bru4u]

Hi Rob, last july I made a Summer Fruit Wheat Beer, I added shed loads of strawberries, blackberries, blackcurrents, it turned out a lovely summer thirst quencher, I made 50ltr and added about a kg of each, I think its hard to over do it with fruit unless you were to use essence which can become overpowering, Mrs Bru loved it.
Bru

 

[robsan77]

did you add to the boil?

 

[Bru4u]

at flame out

 

[Aleman]

If its a strongly flavoured fruit (Raspberries etc.) then add to the last 15 minutes of the boil at around 2 lb to the gallon . . . if its a less robust fruit (peaches or strawberries for example) then use up to 3/12lb per gallon and add it to the secondary . . . don't forget to allow for the fact that you are adding sugar when you do this . . . fermentation will start again . . . and if you use a proper wheat yeast like 3068 be prepared for the multiple escape attempts

 

[robsan77]

excellent, thank you

 

[robsan77]

got my brews on yesterday and they are going for it today. Got a 15 liter batch with orange and corriander and 2 gallons in demis with blackberries, cherries, strawberries and blueberries. Both of which exploded with crap everywhere. I am concerned that all the fruit flew out and there is none left! we will just have to see.

 

[unclepumble]

I want to try a wheat beer with bitter orange peel and corriander, but want to add some oats for some creamyness, I will be watching this post for your impressions on your brew.

UP

 

[robsan77]

Just wanted to check something: After using this wheat yeast the airlock s blew on both demijohns in less that 24 hours. Cleaned up and replaced fermentation continued steadily. After the 3rd day there has been no more activity. Is this common for wheat yeasts like Safbrew WB-06?

 

[robsan77]

Bottled and initial tasting today. Very promising! I reckon i could use more fruit next time but we'll see how it develops. The orange and coriander is good too. Again I could definitely put more in but we'll see how it conditions. For now I am happy. Pics to come soon - the fruity wheat looks great in the bottle.

I like the oaty Idea. I might try that with my fruity wheat. The oats might really smooth out the sourness of the fruit. I will wait until summer before doing another tho as out of season fruit costs a bomb!! :shock:

 

[robsan77]

summer fruit wheat: Another tasting and even better. Sharpness subdueing now and the feel is great. Going off the oat idea now as I am really liking the consistency. I reckon in another week or 2 it will be ideal. Served ice cold this fruity wheat is a winner! very fruli like which is just what i wanted.
At 6% tho it can really get ya. It doesnt taste it. It makes a great drink for the ladies when diluted with some lemonade. I think its called a shandy or something, never heard of it myself. :?

orange and coriander: Didnt really work, think i need a lot more orange peel. Still nice tho.