Summer American Wheat Recipe

[Ty_Deschaine]

Hey guys,

I did a bit of research on American Wheat beer and have come up with the recipe below. I'm a pretty experienced home brewer (I've brewed a fair amount of beers and have my technique down) but this will be my first shot at building a brewing my own recipe. I have compiled what I think should make a pretty crisp light summer beer, but I would like some input from fellow brewers. Any recommendations? How about the hop schedule? Thanks in advance!

Summer American Wheat
Method: All Grain
Style: American Wheat
Boil Time: 60 min
Batch Size: 5.5 gallons (fermenter volume)
Boil Size: 7.5 gallons
Boil Gravity: 1.036 (recipe based estimate)
Efficiency: 75% (brew house)
Original Gravity: 1.050
Final Gravity: 1.014
ABV (standard): 4.68%
IBU (tinseth): 12.38
SRM (morey): 3.83

Fermentables
Amount Fermentable PPG °L Bill %
4.5 lb American - Pale 2-Row 37 1.8 45%
4.5 lb American - White Wheat 40 2.8 45%
0.5 lb Flaked Wheat 34 2 5%
0.5 lb Rice Hulls 0 0 5%
10 lb Total

Hops
Amount Variety Type AA Use Time IBU
0.5 oz Saaz Leaf/Whole 3.5 Boil 60 min 6.21
0.5 oz Saaz Leaf/Whole 3.5 Boil 15 min 3.08
0.25 oz Cascade Leaf/Whole 7 Boil 15 min 3.08
0.25 oz Cascade Leaf/Whole 7 Boil 0 min

Mash Guidelines
Temperature 152 F 60 min
Starting Mash Thickness: 1.25 qt/lb

Yeast
Safale - American Ale Yeast US-05
Attenuation (avg): 72% Flocculation: Medium
Optimum Temp: 68
Fermentation Temp: 68 °F

 

[CadillacAndy]

I think you're probably too low with your IBUs. Id also probably use something like Magnum or CTZ to bitter rather than Saaz. Saaz isn't a hop typically used in American wheat. The cascade sounds fine, I'd just shoot more for 20-25 IBUs and go with a clean US high alpha acid hop for bittering.

 

[chickypad]

Looks pretty good to me. I also prefer a little higher IBU for my American wheats when not adding fruit, but up to you. I've never actually tried to bitter with Saaz, though I do commonly bitter this style with German or noble-like hops like perle or tradition. I think you could increase the cascade additions if you wish, personal preference but I like a little more aroma in my American wheats (again when not using fruit).

 

[Ty_Deschaine]

I think you're probably too low with your IBUs. Id also probably use something like Magnum or CTZ to bitter rather than Saaz. Saaz isn't a hop typically used in American wheat. The cascade sounds fine, I'd just shoot more for 20-25 IBUs and go with a clean US high alpha acid hop for bittering.

Awesome, Made some adjustments... here is what i came out with. Put me smack dab in the middle of your recommendation.

Summer American Wheat
Method: All Grain
Style: American Wheat
Boil Time: 60 min
Batch Size: 5.5 gallons (fermenter volume)
Boil Size: 7.5 gallons
Boil Gravity: 1.036 (recipe based estimate)
Efficiency: 75% (brew house)
Original Gravity: 1.050
Final Gravity: 1.014
ABV (standard): 4.68%
IBU (tinseth): 23.01
SRM (morey): 3.83

Fermentables
Amount Fermentable PPG °L Bill %
4.5 lb American - Pale 2-Row 37 1.8 45%
4.5 lb American - White Wheat 40 2.8 45%
0.5 lb Flaked Wheat 34 2 5%
0.5 lb Rice Hulls 0 0 5%
10 lb Total

Hops
Amount Variety Type AA Use Time IBU
0.25 oz Magnum Leaf/Whole 15 Boil 60 min 13.32
0.25 oz Magnum Leaf/Whole 15 Boil 15 min 6.61
0.25 oz Cascade Leaf/Whole 7 Boil 15 min 3.08
0.25 oz Cascade Leaf/Whole 7 Boil 0 min

Mash Guidelines
Temperature 152 F 60 min
Starting Mash Thickness: 1.25 qt/lb

Yeast
Safale - American Ale Yeast US-05
Attenuation (avg): 72% Flocculation: Medium
Optimum Temp: 68
Fermentation Temp: 68 °F

 

[CadillacAndy]

Awesome, Made some adjustments... here is what i came out with. Put me smack dab in the middle of your recommendation.

Summer American Wheat
Method: All Grain
Style: American Wheat
Boil Time: 60 min
Batch Size: 5.5 gallons (fermenter volume)
Boil Size: 7.5 gallons
Boil Gravity: 1.036 (recipe based estimate)
Efficiency: 75% (brew house)
Original Gravity: 1.050
Final Gravity: 1.014
ABV (standard): 4.68%
IBU (tinseth): 23.01
SRM (morey): 3.83

Fermentables
Amount Fermentable PPG °L Bill %
4.5 lb American - Pale 2-Row 37 1.8 45%
4.5 lb American - White Wheat 40 2.8 45%
0.5 lb Flaked Wheat 34 2 5%
0.5 lb Rice Hulls 0 0 5%
10 lb Total

Hops
Amount Variety Type AA Use Time IBU
0.25 oz Magnum Leaf/Whole 15 Boil 60 min 13.32
0.25 oz Magnum Leaf/Whole 15 Boil 15 min 6.61
0.25 oz Cascade Leaf/Whole 7 Boil 15 min 3.08
0.25 oz Cascade Leaf/Whole 7 Boil 0 min

Mash Guidelines
Temperature 152 F 60 min
Starting Mash Thickness: 1.25 qt/lb

Yeast
Safale - American Ale Yeast US-05
Attenuation (avg): 72% Flocculation: Medium
Optimum Temp: 68
Fermentation Temp: 68 °F

That's looking pretty good. I'd probably remove the 15 min Magnum addition and add the missing IBUs at 60 mins. Magnum is a pretty neutral hop and it won't really add anything at 15 mins other than a couple IBUs. You could also add more Cascade at 15 to make up the IBUs if you remove the Magnum. That will get you a little more aroma and flavor than just using Magnum.

 

[Jayhem]

I like this recipe. Very similar to one I do only I use the WB-06 dry wheat beer yeast, like the flavor better than with US-05.

 

[SudsyPaul]

That's great, but by using WB-06, it's no longer really an American Wheat, since you're no longer using a neutral/clean yeast. WB-06 creates a phenolic character to your beer.

 

[Jayhem]

That's great, but by using WB-06, it's no longer really an American Wheat, since you're no longer using a neutral/clean yeast. WB-06 creates a phenolic character to your beer.

When fermented in the low-mid 60's the WB-06 still produces a clean wheat beer flavor it just gives you a more full tasting, cloudy beer as most people prefer their wheats to be. If you want to stick to "style", sure. But if I'm gonna make a wheat beer it won't taste just like a blonde ale.