Hefe Experiment

[PGHBrew]

I've done three batches of Hefes over the past few months. All were 55% wheat malt, 45% pilsner malt with a 60 minute 1 oz addition of hallertau. The first batch I pitched WLP 300 Hefe Ale, second WLP 380 Hefe IV Ale, and last WLP320 American Hefe Ale. All were fermented at ~ 65F.

The first two were great, each having there unique combination of clove and banana. The third (American Hefe) however, is a little different than anticipated. The first thing that was very noticeable was the almost undetectable banana and clove notes, this was expected. The second difference was a noticeable hop flavor/ bitterness. This caught me off guard. Don't get me wrong, I like the beer, it's just not what I was expecting. After searching around here I seemed to notice most American Hefe's also contain some specialty grains. I've concluded that my lack of specialty grains led to my surprise. I was expecting to taste something, for lack of a better phrase, "similar to" SA Hefe, Harpoon UFO or Widmer Hefe. It's still a good beer, so, Cheers!




Any words of wisdom or experience?

 

[McGarnigle]

American hefe yeast is more neutral. Harpoon UFO uses a German yeast, and Sam Adams and Widmer may as well, I don't know.

 

[storunner13]

What differences did you detect between the 300 and 380? Which did you like better? I'm planning a hefeweissen soon, but was considering both yeasts.

 

[mgo737]

What differences did you detect between the 300 and 380? Which did you like better? I'm planning a hefeweissen soon, but was considering both yeasts.

+1 Interested in your thoughts on this...

 

[Edcculus]

There is going to be a world of difference between 300 and 380.

I'd suggest reading the BJCP guide to understand the basics between a Hefeweizen and American Wheat. Having that understanding, you will then recognize why the yeast performed the way it did:

Hefeweizen
American Wheat

 

[storunner13]

Well the 300 and 380 are both German Hefeweissen yeasts, just different strains. You're probably thinking of the 320 which is "American Hefeweissen" strain.

 

[homebrewer_99]

I'm not too keen on the 300...to me it seems to have a biting finish.

 

[Edcculus]

Well the 300 and 380 are both German Hefeweissen yeasts, just different strains. You're probably thinking of the 320 which is "American Hefeweissen" strain.

Oh yea, my bad.

 

[PGHBrew]

I liked both the 300 and 380. The 300 definately has more banana than the 380. There are some other subtle fruity undertones with the 380 which were pretty nice.