Help! Hefeweizen recipe question.

Klainmeister · 02-03-2007, 03:42 AM

Ok, i've done many-a-hef but i ran into a problem at my LHBS where they didn't have anymore wheat extract (DME) so i bought two cans of the Cooper LME without looking at the package too thoroughly

. It weighs 3.75lbs and is already hopped....

So, here's my question. If i want to make a standard bavarian hef how do i use this can and what extracts do i add? I can pick up some light DME but how much to add to make a 6.5-7% ABV beer and also do i need to use the Mt.Hood hops i bought?

Sorry, i have never bought one of these cans before and am not too confident in the directions on the can (though i am sure they work). Any help would be great, thanks!

homebrewer_99 · 02-03-2007, 12:39 PM

Well, so far I wouldn't use any of the ingredients you've mentioned to make a Hefe Weizen with...if you've brewed many of them in the past you should know this already.

Let's take a look...for a standard Bavarian Hefe Weizen you will need:

1. Wheat malt...your choice of grain/LME/DME, but wheat, 60/40%, 55/45%, 50/50%...somewhere in that range.

2. Hops...Hallertau recommended, also Spalt, Tettnanger, or Perle...No Mt Hood here...

3. Some version of a Bavarian Weizen yeast, liquid preferred...you didn't mention what you intended on using...

From my list you don't have any of the required ingredients to make your intended final product. Sounds like you purchased an Escort thinking it's a Porsche...You can't get there from here...OK, enough of my bantering...

Answer these Q's and we'll see what you can do:

1. OK, what kind of malt is the Coopers?
2. Your intended yeast?
3. Mt Hood all you got?

Klainmeister · 02-03-2007, 05:03 PM

Haha, i like the analogy.

This is what i have:

Can of Coopers Wheat extract kit
1 oz Tettnang (still have some around)
1 vile of white labs hefeweizen yeast.

I'm just a bit confused on the coopers malt because it says it is already hopped and that all you need to do is boil. I'm not trusting this... Thanks homebrewer, i know your essentially the authority on hefs.

homebrewer_99 · 02-03-2007, 05:27 PM

Since the Coopers is already hopped you don't need to use bittering hops...for that amount of malt (1 can).

Most cans are 3.3 lbs. You'll need about 4 more lbs of DME to make up the difference.

You will also need to balance the extra malt with your hops.

Is there any reason why you want a high % weizen? Most are just over 5%. I can see making a dunkel that high, maybe (I don't really care for them or Kristall for that matter).

You'll need about 4 lbs of DME.

The LME, and DME for that matter, have already been cooked once. Read up on late extract boils (use the search function). I'd recommend boiling 1 lb of DME for 45 mins then adding all the rest for the last 15.

Good luck.

Klainmeister · 02-03-2007, 06:17 PM

Thanks for the advice. And i really mean that.

The reason why i am aiming for a higher abv is twofold. One because all my buddies love my weizens and when they are low abv they disappear faster. And two, because i was thinking about adding some flavoring (couple oz of raspberry) my other brew buddy recommended a higher abv because his just taste better that way. I've never flavored so just taking a swing in the dark at this one.

thanks again!

homebrewer_99 · 02-03-2007, 07:10 PM

Bei mir zu viel alkohol schmeckt wie scheiße, himbeeren oder nicht.

Klainmeister · 02-03-2007, 07:23 PM

Eh, dumm gelaufen. Ach, jetzt habe ich nur 6 lbs weizen zu brauen. Wie viel Himbeeren (oz) soll ich benutzen?