Kenny’s Watermelon Wheat Recipe – BiaB

We sampled this beer on the American Wheat Style tasting episode (BJCP category 1d), I know, it’s not technically an American Wheat, it’s really a fruit beer, but it seemed like a nice tie in. One way or the other, there were no regrets after tasting it. Kenny started formulating his recipe as a homage to 21st Amendment Brewery’s “Hell or High Watermelon”.

The beer has a really nice color, and is clean and smooth, with just enough watermelon flavor to be pleasant. Although a bit thin, doesn’t seem watery to me at all, and would be a very refreshing beverage during the hot months.

6lbs 2 row
5lbs white wheat
8oz Vienna malt
.25 oz Columbus @60
.50 oz magnum @10 US-05

Yeast: Safale American US-05

OG: 1.052
IBU: 17.8 IBU
ABV: 5.4%

Mash the grains at 152 for 1 hour, boil for one hour, and then ferment normally.

After fermentation is complete, take one whole seedless watermelon, scoop out the flesh of the watermelon, ensuring you don’t get any of the rind by accident. Then puree the fruit, and place it into the secondary fermenter. Rack the finished beer onto the fruit and leave it there for 5 or 6 days.

Cold Crash the fermenter if possible, for 48 hours or so, then rack to kegs or bottles and carbonate using your normal method. Kenny has been known to use a filter when he transfers to the keg to increase the clarity.