Using wheat.

[gird123]

I have some wheat we bought for long term storage at a good price. Can it be used for wheat beer? 36 lbs of white wheat and 12 lbs of red wheat.

Nate

 

[bgrayson726]

Of course it can be used for a wheat beer! That's why it's called a WHEAT beer. If you've never used wheat before, make sure you have about 5% of your total grain bills as rice hulls (if you use around 40%-50% wheat). It can really cause for some stuck mashes. And also make sure that you recirculate and lauter slowly (probably about half as quickly as your normally would). Good luck!

 

[gird123]

Ok. I have only made 1 batch of beer and that was last week. Can you provide an easy recipe including how to use unprocessed wheat?

Nate

 

[badhabit]

I believe that it is fair to say that the majority of wheat used in brewing is malted. In small quantity, say up to a half pound per 5 gal batch it can be used to cause and retain head. If not malted it can be used as a fermentable but needs to have a protein rest in the mashing process.

 

[bgrayson726]

badhabit: Good point, I was under the impression that it was malted.

gird123: are you doing all grain or extract?

 

[gird123]

extract! I'm just getting started.

 

[bgrayson726]

I'd suggest using wheat malt extract for a wheat beer then. Although you could do a BIAB/partial mash and do like 3.5# wheat or something like that.