New to Belgian Whites

KayaBrew · Aug 27, 2009

Not my favorite style by a long shot, but my wife and I are going to brew this: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f14/just-another-brew-day-pics-99893/, and I'm going to use WLP550 yeast. Is there anything I should know about this strain, or does anyone have any pointers? I was going to build a 2 liter starter for it.

KayaBrew · Aug 30, 2009

Really? Three days and nothing? Okay, tomorrow's the brew day, so here goes!

Revvy · Aug 30, 2009

I never saw this thread...boy I wish you had decided to brew this 5 weeks ago...I totally forgot bm's awesome looking recipe, and I was looking for a wit to brew...I went with a hoegaarden clone on my saison cake...I am new to the style as well, just got into it this summer. Like you it isn't my favorite style, but I just got into it and am really liking it.

Good luck and keep us posted. :mug:

flyangler18 · Aug 30, 2009

I'm unfamilar with that strain in a Wit so do keep us posted on results. WLP400 is an excellent Witbier strain, as is WY3944.

KayaBrew · Aug 30, 2009

I realized after I placed my order with Ed ad BMW that White Labs has a Belgian White-specific yeast. I think it'll still be great with the 550. BierMuncher just used US-05 in the version of this beer in his thread. I'll report back when we're drinking it. BTW, what's a good fermentation sched. for a style like this? Two weeks in primary then bottle?

Revvy · Aug 30, 2009

KayaBrew said:
I realized after I placed my order with Ed ad BMW that White Labs has a Belgian White-specific yeast. I think it'll still be great with the 550. BierMuncher just used US-05 in the version of this beer in his thread. I'll report back when we're drinking it. BTW, what's a good fermentation sched. for a style like this? Two weeks in primary then bottle?

Do the grav thing at 12 and 14 days and if it is the same and near target I would bottle it. I can honestly say that in leaving my wit in primary like a usually do for a month it is too clear.....they tend to be cloudy..I know some people add a tbs of wheat flour to the kettle to give it a haze....and mine is really clear....it tastes great..amazing actually but looks too "clean"