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California Ale in Witbeer

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Nike_Eayrs

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Joined
May 1, 2012
Messages
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Location
green bay
My local brew shop is out of witbeer yeast, and I am looking to brew over the 4th of july wknd. Can I use white labs california yeast, or will that totally throw the flavor off? Cheers!
 
Will be ok, but as you can expect you won't get the spice and tart of a wit. I'd rather be patient and not compromise.. Learnt my lesson there a few times..
 
The flavor will be quite a bit different if this is a Belgian style witbier. Like the difference between Hoegarden and Blue Moon. You'll have less yeast derived flavors with the cali yeast. You won't get the spicy, mildy sweet fruit, and tart flavors as prevalent with the cali yeast. It would still be a good beer though, with clean refreshing wheat flavors.
 
It won't be a Wit....more like an American Wheat with some spice additions.
 
Bite the bullet man, don't compromise, just brew something else instead:mug:
 
As said, with chico it becomes a totally different style. Could try fermenting in higher ranges, 70s, for some pizazz
 
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