Sun of a Wheat – American Wheat (Category 1D)

One of the few beers that my wife actually likes is New Belgium’s Sunshine Wheat. I recently looked for a six pack of it and came to the realization that New Belgium seems to have stopped production of this beer some time ago. So, not seeing any other option, I decided to give brewing it on my own a go. A quick search of the Internet led me to the following Sunshine Wheat “clone” recipe.

The stats listed below are estimates based on the recipe. I just about hit them exactly, my OG was 1.009 rather than the estimate of 1.010. Close enough for me. One thing to note is that the recipe I found called for 1.2 oz. of Domestic Hellertau hops. The homebrew store I stopped at didn’t have any of that particular variety, so, after referencing a hop substitution chart, decided to go with an ounce of Mt. Hood instead.

I have to be honest, I don’t think this is even a reasonable facsimile of Sunshine Wheat – but it’s not too bad when judged on it’s own merits. Unfortunately, my wife is not a fan so the search for a beer I can brew for her continues. Considering this is the first time I brewed this recipe, I think this is a good starting point. Next time, I may just add a tad more bitter orange. I was planning on splitting this batch and ferment half with the yeast listed in the recipe (WLP001) and half with a Belgian Wit yeast. I’m sure that’ll be a future batch as well.

Brew Method: BIAB
Style Name: American Wheat or Rye Beer
Boil Time: 60 min
Batch Size: 5 gallons (fermenter volume)
Boil Size: 6.5 gallons
Boil Gravity: 1.036
Efficiency: 60% (brew house)

STATS:
Original Gravity: 1.046
Final Gravity: 1.010
ABV (standard): 4.74%
IBU (tinseth): 19.17
SRM (morey): 4.6

FERMENTABLES:
4.5 lb – Pale 2-Row (43.6%)
5.5 lb – Wheat (53.3%)
5 oz – Honey Malt (3%)

HOPS:
1 oz – Mt. Hood, Type: Pellet, AA: 5.6, Use: Boil for 55 min, IBU: 19.17

MASH GUIDELINES:
1) Infusion, Temp: 152 F, Time: 60 min, Amount: 6 gal, Single

OTHER INGREDIENTS:
0.17 oz – Crushed Coriander, Time: 15 min, Type: Spice, Use: Boil
0.25 oz – Orange Peel, Time: 15 min, Type: Spice, Use: Boil
0.17 oz – Crushed Coriander, Time: 0 min, Type: Spice, Use: Boil
0.25 oz – Orange Peel, Time: 0 min, Type: Spice, Use: Boil

YEAST:
White Labs – California Ale Yeast WLP001
Attenuation (avg): 76.5%
Flocculation: Medium
Optimum Temp: 68 – 73 F
Fermentation Temp: 68 F