Drinking a Hefe young

[neb_brewer]

I'm brewing Annapolis' Hefe tonight after work and need a little clarification. I've read a couple of times about how a hefe is a good beer to be consumed sooner than other beers. I'm not sure if this means that if I leave it in the primary for 4 weeks like I've done with my other two brews, and then bottle condition it for a shorter time before I start drinking. Or do I leave it in the primary for a shorter time as well?

p.s. I opened one of my first brews (Kolsch) to taste it on Friday to make sure it was carbing up after a week in the bottle. It was very tasty already and carbed nicely! It was a great feeling to know that I made it and didn't screw anything up. It was also suprising because this beer had a 120 hour lag time and it also got super hot out for mid May and fermented at about 7 degrees higher than it was supposed to. Its a true testament to a beer turning out great even if it didn't start fermenting 12 hours after pitching.

 

[double_e5]

I go 2 weeks in the primary, then straight to the bottle/keg. If you bottle you are still going to need to let them sit for 2-3 weeks to carb/condition.

 

[ifishsum]

I go 2 weeks in the primary, then straight to the bottle/keg. If you bottle you are still going to need to let them sit for 2-3 weeks to carb/condition.

That's exactly how I treat a hefeweizen, and they've all turned out great.

 

[HIM_Tattoos]

That's exactly how I treat a hefeweizen, and they've all turned out great.

I third that motion with great results.

 

[GreenwoodRover]

IME if you keg (ie force carb) you can be drinking on day 21-22...

 

[DougBrew]

Does this rationale/method apply to all wheat beers? I've been eyeing my dunkelweiss for a minute and it's going on day 16. To keg or not to keg? That is the question.

 

[neb_brewer]

Ok I'll go 2 weeks and then the 3 week bottle condition. Is that 2 weeks total in the primary, or 2 weeks after fermentation has completed?

 

[double_e5]

2 weeks total.

 

[imprez25]

I have a hefe that is in bottles now. Brewed on 6/3/2009 and plan on drinking at a party this weekend 6/20. Tried one the other day that was nice and carbed up already. Tasted great.

 

[ifishsum]

My bottled hefes are also usually fully carbed and drinkable by week two, thanks to all that yeast still in suspension. You can really be drinking them four weeks from brewday, pretty much half the total time I allow for everything else.

 

[Malticulous]

I tasted a Weißbier at high kraeusen it it was rank. Mine are ready after two week primary and one week in the bottle. They don't get better after that.

 

[HillbillyDeluxe]

I have a hefe that i primary 10 days and keg. Great beer on day 12. Also a 14 day wit thats really good. Its up to the recipe. Dunkels on the other hand i give 2 prime 2 sec, and 2 bottle OR 2 days keg

 

[kyleobie]

Why the extra time for dunkels?

Great advice, by the way.

 

[HillbillyDeluxe]

Well, they tend to be a bit higher oG and need more time for the flavors to mellow from the dark malt. Now that may not be the scientific answer but the beer tastes better, BTw i just tapped a dunkel keg, had an extra week in the keg but followed tis method........ Delicious!

 

[homebrewer_99]

I just carbed up a keg of HW that I kegged in February...it tastes great even now.

 

[kyleobie]

Good deal. I have a dunkel conditioning right now - giving it 3 weeks total. The banana yeastiness was prominent when I snuck one on my last brew day so I am hoping it mellows as it conditions.

 

[HillbillyDeluxe]

3 weeks may be a bit young for a dunkel. 6 is about perfect for my recipe. Sorry if that conflicts with previous info. Forgive me, i have partaken of the fruit of the yeastie beastie tonight.

 

[kyleobie]

Bah - 3 weeks conditioning. So 6 weeks total. My bad.