Hefeweizen

[gaudet]

Did two versions of Hefeweizen via extract today

First up was just a straight up hefeweizen

6.3 pounds wheat malt extract
1 oz Tetnang Hops (45 minute boil)
1 oz Hallertauer Hops (last 15 minutes)

SG was 1.042
Wyeast Wiehanstephan slap pack yeast

Second batch was exactly the same
plus 1.5#'s clover honey

SG 1.048
Wyeast Wiehanstephan slap pack yeast


I think I'm going to start to try to culture my own yeast for future use as those packs go for $7 a pop and I think I can do it myself. I found an article at another beer forum that shows how to do it.

 

[Wade E]

Are you going o make the stir plate for yeast cakes? Its pretty simple and here is a link to it.
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/my-stirplate-cheap-easy-build-86252/

 

[gaudet]

What would I use the stir plate for? If it would be of benefit to me then I would build one for sure.

The
site I looked at to culture your own yeast was pretty simple you boil
out a few mason jars and lids and a larger jar. Then you remove the
jar and lids and seal the jars with the sterile water and let them
cool. You then rack your beer normally. When you are done you pour
your sterile water into the carboy and mix it all up. Let it rest for
20 minutes and then decant the liquid into your mason jars filling them
and sealing them. Then label and store in the fridge and when you are
ready to use it decant the majority of the liquid (water) give a shake
and pitch it to your starter or to your brew. Looks simplistic enough

 

[Wade E]

The stir plate is for making the starter and by stirring it up this way your yeast starter will yield a higher cell count than an unstirred starter.