Wheat Malt?

duxx · October 28, 2011, 4:44am

I’m making my first AG wheat beer this weekend. Its from Jamil’s Brewing Classic Styles. It calls for
3# pils
2# munich
7# Wheat Malt
plus some character grains.

The guy at my LHBS says the wheat malt won’t convert, not enough pils for the necessary enzymes. I assume it wouldn’t be in Jamil’s book if it didn’t work. I can’t find any info in my brewing books about whether wheat malt will self convert? Help? Who’s right.

robotninja · October 28, 2011, 7:59am

A quick google search says that malted wheat will self convert. I think either way with about a 60/40 ratio even if what will only half self convert your pils and munch would have enough diastatic power to convert.

Brew it, have fun, and enjoy.

belpaire · October 28, 2011, 12:04pm

On Jamil’s podcast on making wheat beer he, states that wheat is in fact self converting and you could potentially make a 100% wheat beer.

So no worries.

conroe · October 28, 2011, 2:15pm

Briess wheat malts have higher DP than six-row. Even dark German wheat malt will convert it’s self. He either dosen’t know what he’s talking about or selling raw wheat.

duxx · October 29, 2011, 1:29am

The wheat is Rahr white wheat malt. Our host says us up to 50%.

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/brew ... -malt.html

Since it is already crushed into one bag, I’m going for it. If it doesn’t look like it is converting after 30 mins I’ll add # of 2 row. Thanks for the help.

brewingrover · October 29, 2011, 3:46pm

You’ll be fine with that grain bill. I’ve used white wheat 50/50 with no trouble.
You could give your LHBS guy the benefit of the doubt and say he was thinking of flaked wheat.

conroe · October 29, 2011, 4:27pm

Converting is not going to be a problem. Lautering could be. That’s probably why Rahr says 50%. Rice hulls might be a good idea.

central_wa_brewing · November 1, 2011, 2:56am

Yeah, I’ve had no prob with my wheat malts converting. I typically run a 60/40 but have heard of guys doing 100% and turns out well.

jkerulusmc · November 1, 2011, 1:01pm

Maybe it sounds like he was referring to a protein rest situation. When using wheat and it more than 20% of grain bill you should impart a rest to allow for full conversion of the wheat starches.

fimbrew · November 2, 2011, 4:47am

Converting is not going to be a problem. Lautering could be. That’s probably why Rahr says 50%. Rice hulls might be a good idea.

yea conversion won’t be a problem but stuck mash might be.