Wyeast 3068 weihenstephaner question

[Matteo57]

So I was looking to brew a weihenstephaner clone and saw this one here: http://www.tastybrew.com/forum/thread/231810 but they say to ferment at 60-62 while the wyeast page regarding the 3068 says temperature range is 64-75 http://www.wyeastlab.com/com_b_yeaststrain_detail.cfm?ID=135.... What would be best to do. Supposedly I don't want to ferment too high due to getting too much banana but obviously I want it to ferment! Also, it says on wyeast page that it requires 33% headspace in fermentor... If I am using a 6.5 g carboy and do a 5 gal batch is it not going to be adequate?

Thanks for the help, still pretty new at this!

 

[EdWort]

I ferment my Hefe at 66-68 range and I get great banana aroma. I use a 7.9 gallon fermenter with a solid lid resting on top (no airlock) and I have don't have any blow off problems. The Kreuzen never reaches the lid in this manner.

 

[Boodlemania]

I recommend a blowoff tube for a 6.5 gallon if you're using that yeast. It can be a beast.

Temperature control is your best friend when brewing a hefe. Shoot for the mid 60's (beer temp, not ambient) as Ed suggested and you should be fine.

 

[kmonty]

I am fermenting a Weizen right now using 3068 at 62 degrees(based on Jamil brew cast recommendation) I also used a 7.9 g fermenting bucket and it was bubbling out the airlock! Attached an airlock with hose to a growler half-filled with water and all was well.
Granted this is the first time I have brewed it at this temp, but all seems to be going very well - great aromas including bananas, cloves, bread on different days.

 

[kmonty]

Ah....and forgot to add that there is little over 6 gallons in the fermenter.

 

[JSGT09]

I was about to post the same question so I'm glad someone else asked! I just brewed a hefe over the weekend with the same Wyeast Weihenstephan strain and it has been fermenting since Sunday. I was shocked how much airlock activity there was only 12 hours later.

My ambient air temp directly on top of the fermenter lid is around 63 degrees (broke the thermometer strip on the side of the bucket) but I hope this temp will give a nice balance of flavors as I don't have the ability to easily provide a lower temp.

I'm brewing in a 6.5 gal bucket primary (5 gal batch) and haven't had any issues with it coming out of the airlock....yet. Hopefully it doesn't happen. If it does, what is the easiest way of adding a blowoff tube? Can I take the guts of the airlock out and add a large tube to it and down to a blowoff container?

 

[kmonty]

I'm brewing in a 6.5 gal bucket primary (5 gal batch) and haven't had any issues with it coming out of the airlock....yet. Hopefully it doesn't happen. If it does, what is the easiest way of adding a blowoff tube? Can I take the guts of the airlock out and add a large tube to it and down to a blowoff container?[/QUOTE]

Once the airlock bubbled over, I did just that - stuck a blow-off tube onto the airlock, with the other end in a growler half filled with water. Worked well.
In fact, harvested the yeast and brewed a Dunkelweizen last week and used the same setup from the beginning. Plenty of activity, but not spills since I started with the blow-off tube this time!

 

[JSGT09]

Well after 48 hours my 3068 yeast has dramatically reduced activity and had no blowoff into the airlock. Maybe I just got lucky but next time I brew with this yeast it will go into my 5 gal carboy with a blowoff tube just to be safe.

 

[neophilus]

Not the same yeast but I brewed a Heffe with Wyeast 3056 Bavarian Wheat Blend recently at 60-62 degrees and it fermented just fine. The beer came out delicious with subtle but firm banana aroma and very smooth clove flavor.

 

[poley]

If you like banana esters, use wyeast's suggested temp range. if you want to suppress the esters, go for low 60s. That's my preference, but many people love the banana esters.

 

[ThatOneGuy]

I had my first blow up with this yeast. Was making a hefe and was running late for work the next morning. Decided to peek at it before I was out the door only to find yeast all over my carboy and tile floor. I didnt have time to clean it so I gave it my best wishes and returned 8 hours later to clean it. Figured that it had released all its anger so I put the airlock back on, but I had to move the carboy to clean all the yeast so a few hours later it had foamed out the airlock again. haha

 

[poley]

It's a feisty strain for sure. Big, big krausen, especially at warmer temps. Another bonus for keeping the temp low.