Difference between revisions of "Berliner Weissbier"
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− | '''Berliner Weisse''' is a top-fermented, bottle conditioned wheat beer made with both traditional warm-fermenting yeasts and ''[[Lactobacillus]]'' culture. Although many modern new world examples are [[Wort_Souring#Souring_in_the_Boil_Kettle|kettle soured]] and not fermented with ''Brettanomyces'', traditional Berliner Weisse mostly (if not always <ref name="marcus"></ref>) underwent a secondary fermentation with ''[[Brettanomyces]]'' <ref name="marcus">Private correspondence with Mike Marcus of Chorlton Brewing Co by Dan Pixley and Richard Preiss. 10/31/2016.]</ref><ref name="Hubbe">[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/1407620505932826/ Effect of mixed cultures on microbiological development in Berliner Weisse (master thesis). Thomas Hübbe. 2016.]</ref><ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1352210248140519/ Conversation with Richard Preiss regarding his results culturing from old bottles of Berliner Weisse. 08/14/2016.]</ref><ref>[http://barclayperkins.blogspot.com/2009/09/berliner-weisse-and-brettanomyces.html "Berliner Weisse and Brettanomyces." Ron | + | '''Berliner Weisse''' is a top-fermented, bottle conditioned wheat beer made with both traditional warm-fermenting yeasts and ''[[Lactobacillus]]'' culture. Although many modern new world examples are [[Wort_Souring#Souring_in_the_Boil_Kettle|kettle soured]] and not fermented with ''Brettanomyces'', traditional Berliner Weisse mostly (if not always <ref name="marcus"></ref>) underwent a secondary fermentation with ''[[Brettanomyces]]'' <ref name="marcus">Private correspondence with Mike Marcus of Chorlton Brewing Co by Dan Pixley and Richard Preiss. 10/31/2016.]</ref><ref name="Hubbe">[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/1407620505932826/ Effect of mixed cultures on microbiological development in Berliner Weisse (master thesis). Thomas Hübbe. 2016.]</ref><ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1352210248140519/ Conversation with Richard Preiss regarding his results culturing from old bottles of Berliner Weisse. 08/14/2016.]</ref><ref>[http://barclayperkins.blogspot.com/2009/09/berliner-weisse-and-brettanomyces.html "Berliner Weisse and Brettanomyces." Ron Pattinson. Shut Up About Barclay Perkins. 09/14/2009. Retrieved 09/22/2016.]</ref>. Traditional examples are described as being generally very sour, clear wheat beers with good head retention <ref name="marcus"></ref><ref name="Hubbe"></ref>. Modern American examples are probably equally sour as historical versions, often have a rapidly vanishing head and a clear, pale golden straw-colored appearance, and often lack ''Brettanomyces'' character due to using a kettle souring process. The taste is refreshing, tart, sour and acidic, with a lemony-citric fruit sharpness and almost no hop bitterness. |
Served in wide bulbous stemmed glasses, tourists in Berlin will often order on as a "Berliner Weisse mit Schuss: Himbeere" or "Berliner Weisse mit Schuss: Waldmeister". These are syrups that are added to make the sourness more palatable. Himbeere is raspberry (red) and Waldmeister is woodruff (green). | Served in wide bulbous stemmed glasses, tourists in Berlin will often order on as a "Berliner Weisse mit Schuss: Himbeere" or "Berliner Weisse mit Schuss: Waldmeister". These are syrups that are added to make the sourness more palatable. Himbeere is raspberry (red) and Waldmeister is woodruff (green). | ||
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===External History Resources=== | ===External History Resources=== | ||
+ | * [https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1534983126529896/ English translation of Dörfel 1947 manuscript on making German Berliner Weisse (translated by Benedikt Rausch).] | ||
+ | * [http://www.europeanbeerguide.net/gerstyle.htm "Old German Beer Styles," by Ron Pattinson (contains a few obscure sour styles).] | ||
+ | * [http://www.europeanbeerguide.net/Brett_Festival_talk_Berliner_Weisse_slides.pdf Berliner Weisse, a Local Style Close to Extinction, by Ron Pattinson.] | ||
+ | * [barclayperkins.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/berliner-weisse-according-to-grenell.html?m=1 "Berliner Weisse according to Grenell" by Ron Pattinson.] | ||
+ | * [http://barclayperkins.blogspot.com/2017/04/berliner-weisse-according-to-grenell_27.html "Berliner Weisse according to Grenell Part 2" by Ron Pattinson.] | ||
+ | * [barclayperkins.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/another-way-of-brewing-berliner-weisse.html "Another way of brewing Berliner Weisse" by Ron Pattinson.] | ||
* [http://barclayperkins.blogspot.com/2017/05/berliner-weisse-more-methods.html More historical methods for mashing Berliner Weisse by Ron Pattinson.] | * [http://barclayperkins.blogspot.com/2017/05/berliner-weisse-more-methods.html More historical methods for mashing Berliner Weisse by Ron Pattinson.] | ||
+ | * [http://barclayperkins.blogspot.com/2009/09/berliner-weisse-and-brettanomyces.html "Berliner Weisse and Brettanomyces" by Ron Pattinson.] | ||
+ | * [http://barclayperkins.blogspot.de/2015/03/output-of-berliner-weisse-1885-1937.html?m=1 "Output of Berliner Weisse 1885 - 1937" by Ron Pattinson.] | ||
+ | * [barclayperkins.blogspot.com/2009/08/berliner-weisse-part-93.html Finding evidence that ''Brettanomyces'' was in Berliner Weisse, by Ron Pattinson.] | ||
+ | * [barclayperkins.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/berliner-weisse-in-uk.html "Berliner Weisse in the UK" by Ron Pattinson.] | ||
+ | * [http://barclayperkins.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/berliner-weissbier-in-1970s-part-one.html Berliner Weissebier in the 1970's" by Ron Pattinson.] | ||
+ | * [https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8CshC9nxYHdckhlbXFQN1hPbGc/view?usp=sharing Traditional German Berliner Weisse presentation by B.H. Meyer at 2012 CBC.] | ||
==General Best Practices== | ==General Best Practices== | ||
− | * Don't sour mash. | + | * Don't sour mash. It's too risky for off flavors |
* Limit CO2 and do not aerate before pitching | * Limit CO2 and do not aerate before pitching | ||
* Pitch [[Lactobacillus]] between 90°F and 110°F depending on your ''[[Lactobacillus]]'' strain or blend for ~ 1-4 days (for more details see the [[Wort Souring]] page). | * Pitch [[Lactobacillus]] between 90°F and 110°F depending on your ''[[Lactobacillus]]'' strain or blend for ~ 1-4 days (for more details see the [[Wort Souring]] page). | ||
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* Pitch ''[[Brettanomyces]]'' after cooling down after ''[[Lactobacillus]]'' fermentation phase | * Pitch ''[[Brettanomyces]]'' after cooling down after ''[[Lactobacillus]]'' fermentation phase | ||
− | == | + | ==Video Presentations== |
− | + | ||
* Perspective on Brewing Berliner Weisse Style Beer, Jess Caudill of Wyeast Labs, NHC 2012 Presentation. | * Perspective on Brewing Berliner Weisse Style Beer, Jess Caudill of Wyeast Labs, NHC 2012 Presentation. | ||
:<youtube>_hClp9huB1M</youtube> | :<youtube>_hClp9huB1M</youtube> | ||
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===External Resources=== | ===External Resources=== | ||
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* [http://ingenuitybrew.blogspot.com/2013/06/berliner-weisse-test.html Berliner Weisse Test. Ingenuity Blog.] | * [http://ingenuitybrew.blogspot.com/2013/06/berliner-weisse-test.html Berliner Weisse Test. Ingenuity Blog.] | ||
* [https://sourbrewster.wordpress.com/2012/09/18/berliner-weisse-the-old-time-kettle-souring-technique/ Berliner Weisse - the Old-Time Kettle Souring Technique. Sour Brewster Blog by Gail Ann Williams (summary of Burghard Hagen Meyer Berliner Weisse talk at CBC 2012).] | * [https://sourbrewster.wordpress.com/2012/09/18/berliner-weisse-the-old-time-kettle-souring-technique/ Berliner Weisse - the Old-Time Kettle Souring Technique. Sour Brewster Blog by Gail Ann Williams (summary of Burghard Hagen Meyer Berliner Weisse talk at CBC 2012).] | ||
− | |||
* [http://sourbeerblog.com/designing-brewing-berliner-weisse/ "Designing and Brewing a Berliner Weisse," by Cale Baker on Sour Beer Blog.] | * [http://sourbeerblog.com/designing-brewing-berliner-weisse/ "Designing and Brewing a Berliner Weisse," by Cale Baker on Sour Beer Blog.] | ||
* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1352210248140519/ MTF thread from Richard Preiss about culturing ''Brettanomyces'' from 8 vintage Berliner Weisse courtesy of Mike Marcus at Chorlton Brewing Company. Watch for updates.] | * [https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1352210248140519/ MTF thread from Richard Preiss about culturing ''Brettanomyces'' from 8 vintage Berliner Weisse courtesy of Mike Marcus at Chorlton Brewing Company. Watch for updates.] |
Revision as of 17:31, 23 May 2017
Berliner Weisse is a top-fermented, bottle conditioned wheat beer made with both traditional warm-fermenting yeasts and Lactobacillus culture. Although many modern new world examples are kettle soured and not fermented with Brettanomyces, traditional Berliner Weisse mostly (if not always [1]) underwent a secondary fermentation with Brettanomyces [1][2][3][4]. Traditional examples are described as being generally very sour, clear wheat beers with good head retention [1][2]. Modern American examples are probably equally sour as historical versions, often have a rapidly vanishing head and a clear, pale golden straw-colored appearance, and often lack Brettanomyces character due to using a kettle souring process. The taste is refreshing, tart, sour and acidic, with a lemony-citric fruit sharpness and almost no hop bitterness.
Served in wide bulbous stemmed glasses, tourists in Berlin will often order on as a "Berliner Weisse mit Schuss: Himbeere" or "Berliner Weisse mit Schuss: Waldmeister". These are syrups that are added to make the sourness more palatable. Himbeere is raspberry (red) and Waldmeister is woodruff (green).
Typical average alcohol by volume (abv) range: 2.0-5.0%
Contents
Historical
Historical Berliner Weisse is thought to be consisted of barley malt and poorly modified wheat malt (for head retention) in a 1:3 or 1:4 ratio, although at least two German Berliner Weisse breweries in the 1970's used 100% barley malt (the word "weissbier" originally referred to both barley and wheat air-dried malt) [5]. Decoction mashing was also used, and was thought to impact better flavor than a single infusion mash. Hops were added to the mash tun during the mashing process or boiled with the decoction. Sometimes the boil was skipped (or boiled fora short time), and sometimes a traditional boil was used. The wort was not boiled because brewers thought that this was necessary for the cultures found in the mixed fermentation, however after the turn of the 20th century it was discovered that the microorganisms originated from surfaces in the brewery (although Mike Marcus from Chorlton Brewing Co has isolated L. casei that survived sparging the grain bed, indicating that some lactic acid bacteria can survive sparging temperatures and might have in fact had a souring impact on Berlier Weissbier that was not boiled [1]). The mixed cultures during primary fermentation were made up of S. cerevisiae and lactic acid bacteria in a 4:1 to 6:1 ratio, and was fermented between 25-30°C. The beer was fermented in open vessels until fully attenuated, and then carbonated with 12% krausen for a high, champagne-like carbonation. Top cropping was a regular practice. The beer would continue to develop in the bottle due to Brettanomyces and lactic acid bacteria. Due to the difficulty in controlling the level of acidity, and re-using yeast slurries that were under stress from mixed fermentation, methods such as Wort Souring were developed to pre-sour the wort with Lactobacillus first before pitching yeast [2].
Microbiology and Fermentation Profile
- Editor's note: much of this information has been provided by Thomas Hübbe, and based on his master's thesis.
Information regarding the microbiology of historical Berlier Weisse is rare. A study from F. Schönfeld in 1938 describes the proportion of yeast cells to lactic acid bacteria cells through the first stages of fermentation. He describes the ratio as being 4:1 (yeast to lactic acid bacteria) at pitching time. After 18 hours, yeast saw growth, but after 40 hours the yeast population began to decline as attenuation completed. Another later study found that this ratio favors yeast growth, which hinders lactic acid bacteria growth and the production of lactic acid. Poor management of the microbes was blamed for not achieving enough acidity, and was described as being a common problem in Berliner Weisse, as well as not achieving enough carbonation in the bottle. Berliner Weisse producers developed many methods for trying to achieve a certain kind of flavor profile in Berliner Weisse, which has been compared to that of Lambic and Gueuze. Indeed, early study on Berliner Weisse by Methner in the 1980's discovered that Brettanomyces was a typical and important part of the flavor profile of Berliner Weisse [2]. The flavor of Berliner Weisse was described as being flowery and fruity, and a product of ester formation by Saccharomyces and Brettanomyces (see Brettanomyces esters) [2].
The most common lactic acid bacteria found in historical Berliner Weisse was Lactobacillus brevis, although other species such as L. parabrevis were also used. Brettanomyces species often found in Berliner Weisse includes B. bruxellensis and B. anomalus. S. cerevisiae (ale) strains were the primary fermenting yeast [2].
External History Resources
- English translation of Dörfel 1947 manuscript on making German Berliner Weisse (translated by Benedikt Rausch).
- "Old German Beer Styles," by Ron Pattinson (contains a few obscure sour styles).
- Berliner Weisse, a Local Style Close to Extinction, by Ron Pattinson.
- [barclayperkins.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/berliner-weisse-according-to-grenell.html?m=1 "Berliner Weisse according to Grenell" by Ron Pattinson.]
- "Berliner Weisse according to Grenell Part 2" by Ron Pattinson.
- [barclayperkins.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/another-way-of-brewing-berliner-weisse.html "Another way of brewing Berliner Weisse" by Ron Pattinson.]
- More historical methods for mashing Berliner Weisse by Ron Pattinson.
- "Berliner Weisse and Brettanomyces" by Ron Pattinson.
- "Output of Berliner Weisse 1885 - 1937" by Ron Pattinson.
- [barclayperkins.blogspot.com/2009/08/berliner-weisse-part-93.html Finding evidence that Brettanomyces was in Berliner Weisse, by Ron Pattinson.]
- [barclayperkins.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/berliner-weisse-in-uk.html "Berliner Weisse in the UK" by Ron Pattinson.]
- Berliner Weissebier in the 1970's" by Ron Pattinson.
- Traditional German Berliner Weisse presentation by B.H. Meyer at 2012 CBC.
General Best Practices
- Don't sour mash. It's too risky for off flavors
- Limit CO2 and do not aerate before pitching
- Pitch Lactobacillus between 90°F and 110°F depending on your Lactobacillus strain or blend for ~ 1-4 days (for more details see the Wort Souring page).
- Create a 1 liter Lactobacillus starter for each 5 gallons at least 2 days in advance of brew day.
- Pitch Brettanomyces after cooling down after Lactobacillus fermentation phase
Video Presentations
- Perspective on Brewing Berliner Weisse Style Beer, Jess Caudill of Wyeast Labs, NHC 2012 Presentation.
Milk the Funk Berliner Weissbier Recipe
Description
The Milk The Funk Berliner is an 8 gallon recipe for a semi tart, fruity, wheat beer. This recipe is an 8 gallon, no boil recipe, and is made for a system with 73% efficiency. Please adjust the recipe to fit your system.
Stats
- 1.035 OG
- 1.004 FG
- 4.0 ABV
- 1 SRM
- Mash 60min @ 145°f
Fermentables
Malt | Weight | % |
---|---|---|
Floor-Malted Bohemian Wheat (DE) | 3 lbs | 30 |
Floor-Malted Bohemian Pilsner (DE) | 7 lbs | 70 |
Extract Version * | Weight | % |
---|---|---|
Briess CBW® Bavarian Wheat Dried Malt Extract (or similar) | 3 lbs | 50 |
Briess CBW® Pilsen Wheat Dried Malt Extract (or similar) | 3 lbs | 50 |
- * Note about the extract version: Devin Bell has also used 70% wheat DME to 30% pilsner DME and 100% wheat DME with good results. Briess CBW® Bavarian Wheat DME is 65% wheat and 35% barley.
Hops
No hops if possible. If hops have to be used for legal reasons (for commercial breweries, for example):
Hop | Weight | Time | Use | Alpha Acids |
---|---|---|---|---|
Golding (UK) | 2 oz | 10 min | Mash | 8 AAU |
Yeast / Bacteria
Name | Laboratory | Product ID | Starter | Attenuation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lactobacillus Blend (brevis, delbrueckii, and plantarum) * | Omega Yeast Labs | OYL-605 | None | N/A |
Brett Sacc Trois | White Labs | WLP644 | 1 vial in 500 mL DME starter for 5-8 gallons | 87.5 |
- * If OYL-605 is not available, substitute it with a probiotic culture such as Goodbelly Mango or Swansons Plantarum. See Culturing From Probiotics [6].
Steps
- 1-2 days before brewing make a 1 liter starter of 1.040 wort, and add your vial of WLP644. Let it sit at room temperature until use. Also make 1 liter of 1.040 wort, and pour OYL-605 into the starter. Incubate 24-48 hours at room temperature to increase the cell count.
- Mash in at 145°f for 60 minutes; if hops have to be used, then make sure to add the hops to the mash.
- Sparge as normal.
- Bring the wort to a boil and then turn the heat off (no need to boil for more than a couple of minutes).
- Adjust PH ~4.2 to limit growth Clostridium butyricum and other potential off-flavor bacteria. Not necessary, but this is a best practice suggestion. See How to Pre-Acidify for instructions.
- Chill the wort down to 95°f, and transfer to a CO2 purged carboy or keg. Add the 1 liter of OYL-605 Lactobacillus Blend starter. Allow it to sour for 24 hours. No external heating is required.
- After the souring phase, chill the soured wort down to ~70°F and pitch WLP644 Trois (boiling to kill the Lactobacillus before adding the WLP644 Trois is optional; see kettle souring). You can aerate if you feel necessary. After 2 weeks a stable gravity should be reached.
- Rack or transfer off as normal to bottles or a keg.
See Also
Additional Articles on MTF Wiki
External Resources
- Berliner Weisse Test. Ingenuity Blog.
- Berliner Weisse - the Old-Time Kettle Souring Technique. Sour Brewster Blog by Gail Ann Williams (summary of Burghard Hagen Meyer Berliner Weisse talk at CBC 2012).
- "Designing and Brewing a Berliner Weisse," by Cale Baker on Sour Beer Blog.
- MTF thread from Richard Preiss about culturing Brettanomyces from 8 vintage Berliner Weisse courtesy of Mike Marcus at Chorlton Brewing Company. Watch for updates.
- Professors Wackerbauer and Methner discussing the organisms in old bottles of Berliner Weisse, and also the acid and ester profiles. Summary: "In traditionally produced "Berliner Weißbier" the presence of the yeast species Brettanomyces bruxellensis is obligatory."
- Boil vs. No-Boil Berliner Weisse | exBEERiment Results! (Brulosophy blind triangle test).
- Tips from MTF on where to find traditional German Berliner Weisse in Germany.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Private correspondence with Mike Marcus of Chorlton Brewing Co by Dan Pixley and Richard Preiss. 10/31/2016.]
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Effect of mixed cultures on microbiological development in Berliner Weisse (master thesis). Thomas Hübbe. 2016.
- ↑ Conversation with Richard Preiss regarding his results culturing from old bottles of Berliner Weisse. 08/14/2016.
- ↑ "Berliner Weisse and Brettanomyces." Ron Pattinson. Shut Up About Barclay Perkins. 09/14/2009. Retrieved 09/22/2016.
- ↑ Berliner Weissbier in the 1970’s (part one). Shut Up About Barclay Parkins blog. 03/08/2015.
- ↑ MTF conversation about substituting OYL-605 if it is not available. 04/12/2016.