On Keith’s advice I tried 380 in my latest weizen. I’m not gonna say it’s the best weizen yeast, but this weizen is a personal best for me. Freezer was set to 64*. I’m getting a background of clove, with subtle banana up front, mixed with I wanna say stone fruit? Like apricots? Maybe I’m making that up, but whatever it is, it’s nice.
My dough-in was too thin, so I didn’t hit my temps when I added my psuedo-decoction to the rest of the mash. I spent a couple minutes in the “danger zone” but head retention is adequate. Had a lot of sulfur at bottling, but isn’t apparent in the finished beer.
For anyone interested:
1.051
50% Floor-malted Bopils
50% Colorado Red Wheat malt
13 IBUs
Soft water + CaCl to get to 50ppm Ca
I got the idea from an interview with Kai about decoction. He called it a “psuedo decoction.” It’s an easy way to boil a lot of grain without measuring, and it’s all done in the BK, then added to the mash tun after it’s done boiling.
My wheat malt is poorly modified and has a large amount of protein. My bopils is well-modified with a normal amount of protein. By splitting it into two mashes, I can do a protein rest, sacc rest, and boil on only the part of the mash that actually needs it. Then, if I do it correctly, when I add it to the second half I’ll be in the 150-ish range, and whatever starches may have been liberated in the boil will be converted by the pils malt.
I forgot that when I had done this before, I doughed-in around 100, so doughing in at 75 threw off my estimates, and I had to scramble to boil some water to hit my temp.
I thought about just posting my target mash schedule, but I don’t find posts like “I did this and everything went perfectly and the beer was great,” are that useful. I find seeing other people’s mistakes to be more educational, so there it is, warts and all.
Hey Keith, what is your opinion on WLP351? I’m just not satisfied with 300 or 380. I want it all, banana, bubble gum and clove. I’m tempted to use a blend as suggested above but thought I might give WLP351 a try. BTW- Thanks for you great advice over the past few years. I have two beers headed to NHC.
Sorry, can’t help you. I have never tried that strain. I think a lot of what you are looking for can be found by experimenting with temperature and/or blending strains. would be interested in feedback on WLP351 though
