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Author Topic: Bavarian Hefeweizen brew question  (Read 1970 times)

Offline jhinton

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Bavarian Hefeweizen brew question
« on: December 07, 2014, 07:23:54 pm »
Forgive the stupid question... I'm just starting to move away from using kits and creating my own recipes and have come upon a question I can't seem to find the answer to.

I'd like to brew a Bavarian Hefeweizen using 6 pounds of wheat DME. I have looked at a few different recipes and some say to add half of the DME at the beginning of the boil and add the other half for the last 15 minutes, while others say to just boil all 6 pounds for the whole boil.

What would the reason be for splitting the DME into 2 additions versus boiling it all at once?

Thanks!

Offline 69franx

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Bavarian Hefeweizen brew question
« Reply #1 on: December 07, 2014, 07:37:45 pm »
Splitting it will help prevent your wort from getting too dark
Frank L.
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In the works:  House IPA, Dark Mild, Ballantine Ale clone(still trying to work this one into the schedule)

Offline Stevie

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Re: Bavarian Hefeweizen brew question
« Reply #2 on: December 07, 2014, 07:38:45 pm »
If you have the capacity to boil your entire wort, I recommend adding the DME at the beginning. If you add top up water at the end, split your additions. The reason is two fold. 1 - less darkening in the kettle and 2 - better hop utilization with the lower gravity.

Offline jhinton

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Re: Bavarian Hefeweizen brew question
« Reply #3 on: December 08, 2014, 06:32:48 am »
Great, makes sense. I have the capacity to do a full volume boil so I'll add it all.

Thanks for the answers!

Offline mattybrass

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Re: Bavarian Hefeweizen brew question
« Reply #4 on: December 09, 2014, 01:39:45 pm »
adding half at the last 15 minutes also lowers the boil gravity of your wort during most of the boil. This means you will get better utilization from your hops, basically you get a hoppier beer.

Offline brewinhard

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Re: Bavarian Hefeweizen brew question
« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2015, 11:56:19 am »
Of which is not really desired for a true hefeweizen.  I vote add all the DME at the beginning and do a full boil.