dumb question

Jun 13, 2006 6 Replies

I brewed a batch of hefeweizen, using grains and malt extract. It was the first time i have brewed alone, usually more experienced friends are around to help. I thought i did everything right but the beer tastes yeasty, kinda like undercooked bread (best way I can describe it). Its been in bottles for 5 weeks or so. it has tasted the same from week one. It looks great, has good carbonation. I have no clue what went wrong. Any ideas? A friend had the same thing happen to him. he chalked it up as a lost batch and left it in his garage for 6 months. when he remembered about his bad beer he opened one and they were pretty good. Could it be possible I need to let em age a bit? Any info would be much appreciated.


Thanks,



John


PS I want to get into whole grain brewing. can anyone suggest a good internet retailer for equipment and supplies? Ours in town is pretty lame.


I may be wrong but from what I've heard Hefeweizens are supposed to be yeasty. If you don't want that taste, pour slowly from the bottle, don't stir up the sediment.

If the "yeasty" taste you've got is the same as what I had in an early batch, then longer aging / conditioning will reduce it. The five weeks you gave it should be enough for carbonation and conditioning... But another month won't hurt. The heavier your beer, the longer it'll take, usually.

Yeasty! Mit hefe! Hefeweizen.

One question: what commercial examples of hefeweizen have you tried? Hefe means yeast, so yes they are supposed to taste yeasty. It will settle out with time but hefes are meant to be consumed pretty young.

_Randal

Spoken like a true homebrewer!

bob

Send some my way I'll let you know what you did right. ;)

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