Opinion: Can I brew a Hefe before March 15

[Trappist Artist]

I am throwing a beer dinner for some friends and I would really like to get in one more beer for the dinner. Here's the schedule I am planning:

3/1 Brew day: Get the beer into the primary fermenter.
3/2-12 Keep beer in 6.5 carboy.
3/12 Put beer into corny kegs and force carbonate
3/15 Drink!

I am planning on makeing a 1.040 - 1.050 beer (hefe) using white labs yeast fermented around 67 degrees.

So, is this way too short to get drinkable beer? Should I lower the OG? Any comments would be appriciated

 

[TexLaw]

I actually think you could pull this off, but only because you are dealing with a hefeweizen. Keep it on the low end of the OG, though. There's a big difference between 1.040 and 1.050 when you are dealing with this short of a window.

I certainly make no guarantees, but it really could happen. The worst case is that you have a nice hefeweizen waiting for you the next weekend.


TL

 

[Soulive]

You can do it and I have. I brewed a Hefeweizen last year that I kegged after 7 days, carbonated in 3 days, and was drinking after 10 days total. It was yeastier than I would've prefered, but it was doable. Maybe try cold storing it for a day before kegging...

 

[Beerrific]

I think you could do it no problem especially since you keg. Control fermentation temps so that you can get full attenuation and undesired off flavors. Also, a good starter would be advisable.

 

[homebrewer_99]

Yes, as already mentioned keep it on the low OG side because it'll ferment out quicker than a 1.050 will.

 

[Trappist Artist]

Ok, I'm going for it!!

15 day beer here I come!

 

[RICLARK]

I think you could do it no problem especially since you keg. Control fermentation temps so that you can get full attenuation and undesired off flavors. Also, a good starter would be advisable.

+1 on the starter, you dont want to lose 2-3 days in lag time in this short of a time window.

 

[Trappist Artist]

Unfortunatly, I won't have time for a starter since I am brewing tomorrow. I could buy some more yeast though.

Would it be better to buy a smack pack and then give the yeast a solid 3-4 hour head start?

 

[Trappist Artist]

Wow, this was the thread that I broke 100 posts!!!

 

[Soulive]

Unfortunatly, I won't have time for a starter since I am brewing tomorrow. I could buy some more yeast though.

Would it be better to buy a smack pack and then give the yeast a solid 3-4 hour head start?

Make the starter when you get home later...

 

[freyguy]

I made a Blood Orange Hefe that started at 1.050, and went down to 1.014 by day 10. Kegged by setting at 35psi for 36hours. Great beer after carbed. Yeast was a bit strong with the clove/phenolic, but was pretty good that way. Even the Coors light drinkers are tearing into this beer!!!

 

[DeathBrewer]

i'm force carbing a hefe for a party myself. it spent 3 weeks in the primary, tho. should be ready by tomorrow night. i've got it at about 35PSI and shaking every once in a while...

 

[ohiobrewtus]

Hefe's a friggin great. You should have no problems gettinga Hefe ready for a party on 3/15.

 

[Trappist Artist]

Sweet, about 35 psi for 36 hours... I'm kinda new to keggin so that's real helpful. Thanks for all the encouragement too!

 

[Trappist Artist]

Just an update,
Racked the beer over to a keg on 3/12. It tasted a little yeasty, but all in all not terrible.

I'll let you guys know who it is recieved this Saturday!

 

[Limited Visibility]

Good luck with your beer, hope it is tasty and everyone has a fun and safe time


But remember if you don't like it I will take it and dispose of it for ya....

 

[Trappist Artist]

Final update!

The beer was really good, nice and clovey with out too much of that yeasty flavor. I thought this beer turned out a little on the sweet side (maybe it didn't finish off). People liked it but not as much as some paler english styles that I brewed.

All in all I think this was a sucess!

Who says you can't have darn drinkable beer in well under 3 weeks.

As allways thanks for the support!