Need ideas for flavoring my Hefeweisen

[Frozgaar]

So I'm in primary fermentation with my hefeweisen right now and I know I want to add something to flavor my batch when I rack it into secondary. The problem is, I don't know what to add that would be good. What flavors work well with a hefeweisen?

If it helps, my recipe is Midwest Supplies "Hank's Hefeweisen".

 

[sivdrinks]

Ginger. Had one at Iron Hill, brewmaster said he used 1oz fresh in 12 gallons. It was super tasty.

 

[Frozgaar]

Interesting. I'll definitely consider it.

 

[kingwood-kid]

Whatever goes well with bananas and/or cloves.You know, other than nut bread or cigarettes. Strawberries, pumpkin, apples, cinnamon...

 

[wSelwyn]

I'm personally a purist when it comes to Hefe's. When brewed/fermented right, the aromas and flavors produced by the yeast is more than complex and delicious, IMHO. I think you'll find that standard American/German Wheat beers are better for flavoring w/ fruits, spices, & whatnot.

But who am I to tell you what you should and shouldn't do. It's your beer. Be adventurous. You may find the next best thing.

 

[TopherM]

I am not typically a fan of the extract flavors, but I did 1.5 oz of Brewer's Best black currant extract in a Hefe back in April and it was very very tasty. I made it for a small event of about 80 people that were all wine drinkers (a non-profit art guild benefit) and of the 11 kegs my HBC served at the event, mine was the first and only to go dry.

 

[DPBISME]

I am considering doing a 10 Gallon Batch and splitting in to two (2) kegs.

At that time prime with a good fruit juice from Wholefoods...

That way I have two different beers...

It usually is pasturized so I would think it is ready to go...

dpb

 

[BrewLou]

If you are using an actual German Hef yeast then you are already going to get some of that banana/clove spice naturally. If your kit has an American Hef yeast then you can pretty much have at it with w/e flavors you want to add. Just make sure if you have the german hef yeast that w/e flavor you want to add with play nicely with the flavor backing that yeast will provide naturally!

I personally love Hefe's... German Hefs are amazing, and brewing with American Hef yeast gives me so much room to play with flavor profiles. One of my fav beers to brew!

 

[BigRob]

Lots of dry hops is a nice addition to a german Hefe. I'm a pretty big fan of the Schneider-Brooklyn Hopfen-Weisse, and also the Schneider Mein Nelson Sauvin.