Hefeweizens....Any Good Ones Brewed in the US?

[SwAMi75]

Not from what I've gathered.....they're simple. I've got an extract clone recipe for Weihenstephaner, and it doesn't even use a grain steep! Just malt extract (55% wheat, if memory serves), and one round of Hallertau hops for bittering.....that's it!

Again, I think the key is the yeast strain and technique....esp. when priming. I've read that many good ones use a second addition of yeast (often lager yeast) in the secondary ~3 days before bottling for more yeast flavor and greater carbonation.

From the first batch I did, I also think that the primary should be at the low end of the temperature spectrum to keep that "banana" smell down a little. Mine went fast at 69F.....chimps would have come running for my beer!

That's just my observations....I might be way wrong! But those are some things I plan to tweak the next time I brew one, because I really do love hefeweizens.

Sam

 

[homebrewer_99]

Tucher also has a HW.

I'm not sure if I mentioned this or not, but I recently found out that White Labs WLP 351 is the former YeastLab W51 strain (White Labs website), but they don't advertise it in their brochures.

 

[Shovhed1]

Penn Brewery, located in western Pa. brews one of the best domestic hefe's that I have tried.

 

[SwAMi75]

Penn Brewery, located in western Pa. brews one of the best domestic hefe's that I have tried.

Thanks, I'll keep my eye out for some.

BTW, your nickname wooldn't happen to be short for "Shovelhead", would it?

Welcome to the forum!

Sam

 

[Shovhed1]

Yes Sam75, I ride a '77 flh

 

[SwAMi75]

Yes Sam75, I ride a '77 flh

Very cool! I ride an '03 Sportster 1200 Sport. Harleys and homebrew (not at the same time of course)....what a life.

Sam

 

[cbiegel]

You're not going to find too many true to style hefeweizens in the states. Most breweries make an American Wheat though it sounds like this isn't what you're looking for.

Personally, almost all of the beers I brew are some form of American wheat. My favorites being my Heather Wheat and my IPW (India Pale Wheat )

If you haven't tried it yet I suggest the UFO from Harpoon here in Boston. I don't think it'll be exactly what you're looking for though because it is an American Wheat.

edit: my '71 Sportster is in the garage just waiting for the sun for a kick-start.