HBC American Wit Beer

[beanstalk]

Just starting my first AG batch today. I'm using the HBC kit. The instructions are fairly clear, but what I was wondering is:

when i add all hops and corriander and orange peel to the boil, do I have to strain all that then before putting it into the fermenter? (sorry if this is a silly question)

[googoomuck]

Have my eye on this kit for after Christmas, so looking forward to see how it goes for you. Regarding the hops and the like, what kind of boiler do you have? The short answer is yes by the way. 

[beanstalk]

Thanks! I have a 33l plastic bucket with an element and tap.

[googoomuck]

No worries, is there some sort of filter/strainer on the inside? That will do the job for you, if not you'll have to run the wort through a sieve or a muslin bag to remove the bits, alternatively put all your additions into muslin bag and boil that way.

[beanstalk]

Ok great, well i'm just waiting for it to cool down so i can pitch the yeast. It's 19 litres at 1.044. so not too bad i spose. Will keep yous all updated! (that gravity was at 40C though, will it be much different back down around 20?

[googoomuck]

Not a clue mate, best check it when it's at pitching temperature just to be sure.

[Will_D]

(that gravity was at 40C though, will it be much different back down around 20?

YES. Hot wort is less dense than cold wort. Calibration temp for most hydrometers is usually 20c.

Google "hydrometer temperature correction".

However from Beersmith: 1.044 at 40C is 1.050 at 20C

Likewise cold wort is more dense so the true gravity is less if say you read at 10C

[beanstalk]

Thanks. OG coming in at rooms temperature at 1.048. Right on target!

[beanstalk]

Hmmm...it just occurred to me, i didn't put any finings or whirlfloc into this beer. will that be an issue? 

[nigel_c]

Not for a wit. It's going to be hazy. The wit yeast is low floculating so a lot will remain in suspension in the beer giving it it's typical hazy look and also adding a lot to the flavor.

[biertourist]

Not for a wit. It's going to be hazy. The wit yeast is low floculating so a lot will remain in suspension in the beer giving it it's typical hazy look and also adding a lot to the flavor.

Does this kit actually use a Wit beer yeast strain, though?  -American "wit beer" to me implies use of a neutral Ale strain as all the Americanized versions just use a simple neutral ale strain.  -Although Wit also implies unmalted rather than malted wheat which can also result in haze from complex proteins and starch, depending upon how its treated and mashed.


Adam

[beanstalk]

This uses us-05 yeast i think.

Tasted it today, gravity is down to 1.008 and hasn't been bubbling for a couple of days so I think its definitely finished fermented. I kind of want to bottle it and let it bottle condition cus i'd love to have some over the christmas holidays...

I'm sure it will be fine...

ps. it tastes amazing, a little like hoegaarden...

[beanstalk]

maybe i'll give it another couple of days though...

[beanstalk]

I just realised I hadn't followed up on this. It turned out lovely and is a great introduction to homebrewing for friends as everyone who has tasted mine really likes it.

I would put up a pic of a pint but can't drink at the moment due to dreaded chest infection.

The head is amazing, lasts the whole way down through the pint. Very drinkable, the aroma is very reminiscent of hoegaarden but the aroma and flavour of the gruit of corriander and orange peel isn't as prominent, which IMO is a good thing as that can be quite sickening in the Hoegaarden a few bottles down.

The instructions for the kit were very straightforward and geared towards a batch sparge.

The only thing I would personally prefer is if the beer had a little more body but that wasn't an issue with anyone who tried it.

It was my first AG batch and I'm absolutely delighted with it!