The Big O (Orange!)

This was my first go at an Orange Wit, as I got the idea after brewing an Abbey Tripel for my Christmas beer using dried orange peel. I liked it so much in the Tripel I thought I'd try it in a summer wheat. This turned out to be a wonderfully aromatic, great tasting, refreshing summer wheat with a kick.....Enjoy!

Brewer: Gary Slafka Email: gtslafka@comcast.net
Beer: The Big O (Orange!) Style: American Wheat
Type: Extract w/grain Size: 5.0 gallons
Color:
10 HCU (~7 SRM)
Bitterness: 21 IBU
OG: 1.068 FG: 1.020
Alcohol: 6.2% v/v (4.9% w/w)
Grain: 1 lb. Flaked wheat
Steep: Steep flaked wheat until boil.
Boil: 60 minutes SG 1.097 3.5 gallons
6.6 lb. Light malt extract
1 lb. Light dry malt extract
1 lb. Wheat extract
Note that the LME is really liquid wheat malt extract.
I also added 7 tablespoons of dried orange peel in a hop bag, in the boil for 30 minutes.
Hops: 2 oz. Hallertauer (4.20% AA, 60 min.)
1 oz. Hallertauer (aroma)
Yeast: Liquid WLP320 American Hefe Weizen
Log: 6/04/06 Brewed, note that I added the zest (fresh grated) from one dozen of oranges into the fermenter. Next time I will put them in a grain bag.
6/18/06 Bottled 46 12 oz
OG was 1066 FG was 1020 or 6.1% ABV
Carbonation: 5 oz priming sugar
Tasting: A wonderful orange flavored but still wheat beer, with great aroma. The dried orange peel in the boil gives it a deep dry orange flavoring, and the fresh orange zest in the fermenter gives it a great aroma and fresh taste. My only mistake was not putting the zest in a grain bag, as I now have "bits" of zest in every bottle. Even so, this turned out much better than I even expected, and I can't wait to try it out on my beer buddies. Orange beer, who knew!

Recipe posted 06/27/06.