Dunkelweizen with pics

[djbadger]

Having realised I fall into the category of 'Lurkers' (not the 70s proto-punk band) I got my camera out for my brewday today. I wanted to have another go at a Dunkelweizen. My first attempt at this produced a feeble beer as I didn't take into account that my mix of munich and dark wheat lacked the diastatic power to convert fully and I ended up with a 1040 wort instead of 1050+.

This time I hope the recipe works better and I am having a first go at decoction.

EDIT
brew length 23l OG 1058 ABV 6 - 6.5%

Wheat Malt 2000g
Pilsner Malt 1900g
Munich Malt 1000g
Wheat Malt Dark 500g
Aromatic Malt 300g
Carafa Special I 150g
Pale Choc Malt 50g

Hallertau Mitt 40g 60mins

WLP 380 Hefweizen IV

Weighed out everything the night before, put the old Electrim HLT on timer and got up just after 6am to get the mash on.


Grains


First decoction coming up to sacch temp (67C)
The rest of the mash is sitting in the MT at 50C


After adding the boiled mash back I hit about 64C which was a bit lower than I wanted so I ran some wort off and re-heated on the stove to bring everything up to 67C


2nd decoction to reach mash out temp


A bit low but decided to press on with the sparge...


Cloudy first runnings


Nice and clear now


My sparge set-up (yes it could do with a tidy up!)


Hops ready


And in they go


What's that in the mash tun...?

I had the slowest sparge ever and thought it would stop completely. When I looked in the MT I could see why - it looked like gummy concrete. I've used plenty of wheat before without any problems so I guess this is a lot to do with the decoction and my low mash out temp?

Anyway its boiling away now, will update later.

[djbadger]

Update


Chilling


Lunch at last (bubble and squeak in case you were wondering)


Run-off


1056 ish about right


All tucked up

My pictures got smaller this time

[Clobber]

Has this fermented out now?

[djbadger]

Sorry clobber, haven't been online for a while...

Yes it dropped to about 1014ish and I bottled it. Its been a really nice beer - the malts are full and sweetish but not overly so and the yeast flavours taste authentic to me. I'm not great at identifying individuals tastes but I would say that the classic clove/banana is there with banana not too prominent. I'll try to pop a picture up soon to round off the brew post.

cheers

[wilfh]

Hi djbadger looks interesting. Not done before. How long did you mash at each stage for?
Cheers
Wilf