Toots Thielemans

Wheat Beer #1

It might seem strange to be brewing a wheat beer in the middle of winter, but I've never really felt the urge to adhere to notions of seasonality. Up to this point I've never had the urge to brew a wheat beer either, but I think the time has come. So many people have asked me questions surrounding wheat beer that, having never actually brewed one myself, I was beginning to feel a bit of a fraud.

Theory is good, but experience is... also good. It's my JOB to answer questions, so I decided put my lack of interest in wheat beer aside. In doing so, I re-learned the value of curiosity for curiosity's sake.

THE GRAIN BILL

• 7 Pounds 2-row
• 7 Pounds wheat malt
• 1 Pound barley flakes

THE MASH PROFILE

Strike with 15 Litres @ 77° Celsius for 68° Celsius. Rest for 60 Minutes.

THE RESULTS

What can I say? Nothing went wrong. I couldn't believe it. With almost fifty percent wheat, I was expecting all hell to stick. It didn't. It was perfect.

• 1 Ounce perle boil (7.9 AAU)

Pitched Wyeast 3068

It's important to note that what really makes a wheat beer, is the yeast. Through no fault of my own, the beer turned out fantastically. It was cloudy (in a nice way), the color of cream, and very tasty. I really enjoyed it, and so did all the people at the Christmas tasting I brought it to. It was the last thing they were expecting.

This brew taught me a valuable lesson, and unexpectedly re-affirmed my view point on brewing. Good beer will make itself. All we have to do is facilitate it, then get out of the way.

OG: 1.052

TG: 1.010