RoaringBrewer

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So, I ordered a package of this fairly new (i believe) dry yeast from MidwestSupplies and I'm looking to see if anyone has experience with it. I've had good luck using the WhiteLabs Hefeweizen or Wit strains prior, but I really like dry yeast on a lot of occassions for ease of use and reliability. Has anyone used this Brewfirm Blanche dry yeast yet? If so, what are your impressions?

For those who haven't heard of the product:
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/products/ProdByID.aspx?ProdID=7119
Product Description:
Brewferm Blanche (12 grams): The new dried brewing yeast from Brewferm has arrived! Brewferm Blanche is a top fermenting yeast suitable for producing Belgian-style Witbiers and other brews where light banana and clove aromas are desired.

If noone has input (I have't seen any feedback on the site), then I believe what I'm looking to do is test this out by brewing a small batch (2-2.5 gallon) in a 3 gallon carboy I have. I have 4lb. of wheat DME sitting in my brew supplies (60/40 wheat/barley) and would like to use some of this up for the "experiment".

What I do not have is a simple Wit, Hefeweizen, or American Wheat recipe that I can brew a 2-2.5 gallon batch of to test out dry wheat yeast. Preferably something with only Wheat DME, Hops (1-2 kinds max), and of course Water/Yeast. I don't want the trouble of steeping grains, adjuncts (no corriander/orange), hop additions at 3-4 times, etc. that I've used in previous Belgian Wits I've brewed. Especially if I'm only brewing 2 gallons...

So, if anyone has any inputs on a recipe I should try, let me know!

zoebisch01

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Never tried it, but keep us posted. It seems fairly expensive though, which imho is one of the nice things about most dry yeasts.

RoaringBrewer

Recipes 

Yes, at 4.50 a pack it is nearly as expensive as $6-7 white labs or wyeast liquids...

I'm not sure why, but I just feel the dry yeasts store easier (no glass vile to store or smack pack to be careful with not bustin the sack) and are easier to use (I don't really ever make a starter with dry yeast and I get fairly quick [8hr.] startups a lot of the time).

I do use liquid yeasts when I believe it is necessary (all my prior wheat-beers, specialty beers such as steams, etc.) but I like to use Safale US-56, Nottinhgam, Windsor, etc. or other dry strains whenever a fairly generic "american" or "english" yeast is called for...

RoaringBrewer

Recipes 

If anyone would like to prescribe a fairly simple hefeweizen or american wheat recipe for 2 gallon, I'd love to get started on this within a week or two; I have some hallarteu, hersbrucker, cascade, saaz, perle, and other hops on hand as well, so preferably something I don't need to run out and pick up...

zoebisch01

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Yeah I pretty much follow the same philosophy. I bought a belgian once. The rest is things like Coopers, Windsor, Nottingham, Safale...etc. Easy to use and my LHBS carries them for good prices.

RoaringBrewer

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zoe - Do you go to Scotzin Bros. by chance in Lemoyne, PA? That is the shop I use the most (carry a good mix of dry and liquid yeasts though IMO [white labs only that I've seen]).

I consider "Central PA" to be Harrisburg area (which is where I'm from), however others consider that to be State College or surrounding areas...

RoaringBrewer

Recipes 

For ease of concocting this small batch, here is what I have tentatively planned. Let me know if this will be unlike the style or anything critical I may be missing. This is from Beersmith software.

Batch Size 2.00 Gal Boil Size 2.25 Gal
Boil Time 45 Mins (I don't see any reason to go longer?)
Estimated OG 1.049 - Estimated FG 1.009
Estimated % ABV 4.7%

Ingredients:
Amount Item Type % or IBU
2.25 lb Wheat Dry Extract (8.0 SRM) Dry Extract 100.0 % (55/45 Blend)
0.33 oz Hallertauer Hersbrucker [4.00%] (45 min boil) Hops 10.5 IBU
0.25 oz Hallertauer [4.80%] (30 min) Hops 8.0 IBU
Brewferm Blanche Dry Belgian Wheat Yeast - 11g Packet Rehyrdate and Pitch

Ferment and let settle (~10 days) in glass 4 gallon carboy. Bottle with DME.

zoebisch01

Recipes 

Yeah, close to State College. I take it you have toured Troegs then? []

There is a place in Rebersburg, which is about 45 minutes drive. So my heavy orders (50 lb malt) is much cheaper to drive down and pick up. It is a nice drive.

RoaringBrewer

Recipes 

Sounds good zoe; I actually work in State College ~5 months a year.

I've never toured Troeg's yet (missed my chance a month or two ago with some guys from the board), but they make some good beers. I frequent Appalachian Brewing and Lancaster Brewing Co. the most though...

I enjoy Otto's micros when I'm in the state college area (like this week!)...

RoaringBrewer

Recipes 

Bump; so it appears noone has yet brewed a batch with the Blanche dry yeast? Should be here by this weekend, but I won't be able to brew until next, so... In the meantime, if anyone has feedback on this yeast, fire her up here.