22/05/11 - Step-mash/decoction Weizen

[coatesg]

Brewing this one as I type (sparging) - something completely new in terms of the step mash and the decoction.

2.7kg Lager malt
4kg Wheat malt

H. Mittelfruh to 14IBU
Target: 1050 (30L ish)
Yeast: WLP300 at 17C

Mash schedule:

43C 15min (Ferulic acid rest)
55C 20min (Protein rest)
68C 45min (Saccarification rest)
Pull a thick decoction and boil for 20min and return to tun for mash out.

It's gone pretty well so far - the mashing was busy but OK, but I landed up with a very thin mash by the end of it all. Didn't scorch the decoction I don't think, but ther sparge looks like I'm going to have fairly low efficiency, and probably a long boil to bring it back to target gravity (but that's OK, as it should up the melanoidins again).

Right - just coming to end of sparge.

[coatesg]

In fact, efficiency OK! 40L in boiler at 1042 => 33L at 1050.

[coatesg]

That all went pretty well I think. Got beer in fermenter at 1048 - was a little low on mittelfruh (had 52g) so it'll be about 12ibu (tinseth) instead of 14, but that's fine. New hop strainer and pump worked beautifully for the first time, so I think I have it cracked. In the fridge at 17C to let the yeast have their fun

[Scotty]

sounds nice Graeme. How do you control your fermentation temperature?

[coatesg]

sounds nice Graeme. How do you control your fermentation temperature?

I have a larder style fridge with an ATC-800 controlling it and a light bulb in the bottom of it (for heating). The probe sticks onto the side of the FV.

[leedsbrew]

Nice one G!

I did my 1st step mashed Weiss the other day! Have just got back from Bruges today so will jace to have a taste then bottle it!

[Scotty]

sounds nice Graeme. How do you control your fermentation temperature?

I have a larder style fridge with an ATC-800 controlling it and a light bulb in the bottom of it (for heating). The probe sticks onto the side of the FV.

Do you stick the probe to the side of the FV so it's touching the vessel?

I have the same set up and usually just stick the probe to the side of the fridge wall, but I guess I would get a better reading if I do as you.

[coatesg]

Yup - just stick it on the side of the fermenter with tape. It's probably not quite the same temp, but it won't be far off (and it's easier than sanitising it and dropping it into the beer itself).

[sllimeel]

Yup - just stick it on the side of the fermenter with tape. It's probably not quite the same temp, but it won't be far off (and it's easier than sanitising it and dropping it into the beer itself).

I do the same but put some bubble wrap over the probe so no drop in temp when opening the fridge door, more so in winter.

[WishboneBrewery]

Within the month I'll brew the same-ish are you bottling?

[coatesg]

One corny, and the rest into bottles.

[WishboneBrewery]

Fancy a bottle swap at some point?

[coatesg]

Sounds good! Hoping to get some interesting brews on in the summer months - should have a few bottles floating around!

[coatesg]

Racked and bottled this last night - 1009 finishing gravity which is a little on the dry side (and a little surprise given the decoction) but taste is great - nice clove phenols, with banana and also a little surprisingly, some lemony flavours. Quite a malt presence in the nose too.

Could have done with a touch less hops I think - I have a feeling I'm either getting higher utilisation than I expect, or I stuffed up the calculations and put too many in. Either way, when carbonated, I reckon this is going to be a lovely refreshing beer.

[Scotty]

How much priming sugar did you use per bottle?