Hefeweizen process question

Dave__C · 04-03-2009, 01:25 AM

I had a Hefeweizen in my carboy as primary for about a week and wanted to start up an IPA which I knew I need to do in the carboy because I wanted to swamp cool it.

So I racked the Hefeweizon over to a secondary. I'll be bottling it after 1 week in secondary.

Any ideas whether this will have a bad effect on the beer?

I normally would have left it in primary for two weeks and no secondary.

SkewedBrewing · 04-03-2009, 01:29 AM

I wouldn't worry too much about it settling out and all that, if that's what you're referring to.

It'll be fine.

Dave__C · 04-03-2009, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkewedAle

I wouldn't worry too much about it settling out and all that, if that's what you're referring to.

It'll be fine.

Thanks for the quick response.

I guess I just don't fully understand what role that yeast cake on the bottom has after a week in the primary. Is it essentially inactive at that point and just sediment to leave behind?

ifishsum · 04-04-2009, 07:50 PM

After fermentation is done, the yeast still work to clean up by-products that can produce off flavors. I've noticed a cleaner taste since I've started doing longer primaries, at least 10 days if not 2 weeks. That said, hefeweizen should be a pretty forgiving style in that regard, so it will probably be fine.

homebrewer_99 · 04-04-2009, 08:58 PM

There's nothing wrong with your process.

I usually rack my HWs into a secondary which allows more of the yeast to fall out. You can always add some yeast back into the bottling bucket at that time.