The Brewer: Dice Gods Brewing
Brewing Berliner Weisse: Compendium from Dice Gods Brewing
Hey there! I'm Nick, and I fell in love with brewing back in 2019. I dabbled with a broken kit from a co-worker but, determined as ever, got a proper one for Christmas from my local homebrew store, @perfect_brewsupply.
I quickly switched from bottling to kegging right before the pandemic hit, and I've been brewing a ton since then! My custom kettle from Spike Brewing has been a reliable companion, and I made some tweaks to add a pump for mash re-circulation and whirlpooling, as well as a port for a future electric element. Spike was fantastic, letting me upgrade my old OG kettle for a fraction of the cost!
The Beer: Berliner Weisse
This traditional German beer style consists of 50% pilsner and 50% wheat malt, resulting in a neutral flavor before the addition of raspberries. Citra hops are optional but add a delightful citrus and fruit note to complement the raspberry.
The Recipe: Social Distance Sour
INGREDIENTS
- 3.5 lbs Pilsner Malt
- 3.5 lbs Wheat Malt
- 6 lbs Raspberries
- 1 lbs Lactose
HOPS
- Boil hops: 0.5 oz Hallertau Mittelfrueh - 0:15 min
- Boil hops: 0.5 oz Saaz - 0:05 min
- Dry hops: 1.5 oz Citra - 5 days
YEAST
- US-05, OYL-605 for Lacto
INSTRUCTIONS
- BATCH SIZE: 5 gal
- OG: 1.034
- FG: 1.006
- IBU: 5
- ABV: 3.7%
- EFFICIENCY: 72%
- MASH TEMP: 149oF
- BOIL: 15 min
- FERMENTATION: 68oF - 9 days
- SYSTEM: Custom BIAB
- Note: See Pro Tips for raspberry additions.
Pro Tips
- Kettle sour by dropping temperatures to between 75-95F and pitching OYL-605.
- Maintain temp between 75-95F until pH is ~3.3-3.4 (usually after 36 hours, I was at 3.34 for a more sour taste). Boil for 15 min to kill the Lacto.
- Add lactose with 10 min left in the boil for a touch of sweetness and a smoother mouthfeel.
- Break down raspberries with Pectic Enzyme/Pectinaise before adding to secondary.
Cheers
Dice Gods Brewing
Spike Summarizes: All Things Berliner Weisse
What is a Berliner Weisse?
A Berliner Weisse is a traditional German sour wheat beer known for its tartness, light body, and high carbonation. It originated in Berlin, Germany, and is traditionally enjoyed as a refreshing summer beverage.
What distinguishes Berliner Weisse from other beers?
Berliner Weisse is unique due to its pronounced sourness achieved through acidification using lactic acid bacteria like Lactobacillus. A light body, hazy appearance, and high carbonation also contribute to its refreshing character.
The brewing process
The brewing process involves the use of wheat and barley malts, short boiling times, and fermentation with a combination of yeast and bacteria. The wort is exposed to lactic acid bacteria to produce lactic acid and develop the beer's tart flavor. After fermentation, it is often served young to preserve its lively character.
Enrichment Data: Brewing Process of Berliner Weisse
- Ingredients and Preparation: Malted barley and wheat are used in the brewing process, with a higher proportion of wheat to create the beer's light body.
- Fermentation: The wort is fermented with a combination of yeast and bacteria, typically Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus brevis.
- Lactic Acid Production: The fermentation process allows the bacteria to produce lactic acid, which contributes to the beer's sour taste. This process takes several days to a week.
- Conditioning: After fermentation, the beer is conditioned to allow flavors to mature. Berliner Weisse is often served young to preserve its lively character.
- Flavor Enhancements: Some Berliner Weisse beers are flavored with fruit syrups, such as raspberry, to add sweetness and complexity.
- Dabbling in science and food-and-drink, Nick, a fitness-and-exercise enthusiast, discovered his craft beer passion in 2019, eventually upgrading his home-and-garden equipment from a basic kit to a custom BIAB system.
- Home-and-garden practicality meets science in the brewing process of Dice Gods Brewing's signature Berliner Weisse, where the wort is exposed to lactic acid bacteria to create its tart flavor.
- Embracing health-and-wellness benefits, Nick occasionally adds lactose during the boil stage of his Berliner Weisse recipe, crafting a beer with a touch of sweetness and a smoother mouthfeel.
- In the realm of technology, Spike Brewing showcases expertise in the home-and-garden sector, offering customizable kettles that cater to brewers' specific needs, such as the addition of a pump for mash re-circulation and whirlpooling.
