Hefe Question

Zenman · 03-16-2009, 07:43 PM

Hi all had a great brew day yesterday with my SWMBO. We brewed up a hefe using wheat extract, sterling and Halleratau hops. We steeped some blood orange wedges & zest and added that to the fermentor when we put in the wort. Gravity came out great and the color is like a desert sunset, a pale yellowish color with a hint of reddish orange. Looks a smells amazing. Pitched Wyest liquid yeast, american hefe weizen strain.

My question is on time in the primary prior to bottling. I understand Hefes are supposed to be drank a little younger and greener than most beers. Every other beer I have left in primary for 3 weeks, then bottle for 3 weeks before trying it out. Is this to long for the hefe? Should I only primary it for 10 days? 14 days? thoughts? thanks.

**Edcculus** · 03-16-2009, 08:03 PM

If your gravity is stable, you can get away with bottling after 14 days. You can let it go another week, or crash cool it if you don't want a lot of sediment. Then you need to give it the normal 21 days to carbonate.

Zenman · 03-16-2009, 11:28 PM

Ok I think I'll try 2 weeks in primary, couldn't find to much clear consensus searching around, other than it should be drank young and not aged.

**Cpt_Kirks** · 03-17-2009, 02:07 AM

Unless it's a Weissbock or fruit wheat, I keg wheat beers after two weeks. A week carbing in the kegerator and they are ready. They do improve a little as I drink them, but not much.

Bottling, you will want to check gravity, but I imagine they will be ready to bottle in about two weeks.