tdexterc
Well-Known Member
Hey guys, I have done a number of beers which use a low % wheat bill which have come out just fine, and many AG batches with good efficiency, but I've also done 2 hefeweizens now, each with a 50% wheat bill. They both came out at around 55% efficiency... Usually I hit around 75-78% no problem with my setup, and I only ever have problems on efficiency when brewing with large amounts of wheat. For most beers I do a single infusion mash for about 60-90 minutes at about 150-152 degrees. I also always use rice hulls with a large wheat % and never get a stuck sparge. Does anybody else have any problems with getting efficiency from wheat? I know decoction mashing is common with hefes which I have not started doing yet. What else could I be doing wrong? I only run my grains through the mill once at my LHBS, and somebody said this could be the culprit due to the different size/shape of wheat kernel vs barley, and suggested that I run the wheat through a second time to crush it more (LHBS frowns on adjusting the roller width, but they might make an exception). Could this be my problem? I've also never done any water testing/additives other than filter my well water and never had any conversion issues. Could I be lacking minerals in there which contribute to a poor conversion with wheat? Any insight would be greatly appreciated!