Firefly Witbier

Classification: Wit, Belgian ale, wheat beer, all-grain

Source: Jay Reeves (jay@ro.com), HBD Issue #1985, 3/15/96

With spring & summer just around the corner (for the northern hemisphere anyway), this is a great refreshing beer to drink lots of on a warm day, being moderate in alcohol. The name comes from the fact that several fireflies (lightening bugs - Lampyridae family) magically appeared in the mash. This one won first place in the 2nd Annual Naked Pueblo Competition.

Ingredients: (for 6-1/2 gallons)

6lb Belgian Pils
4.6lb White Summer Wheat
9.6oz Flaked Oats
1.0oz 5.2% EK Goldings - 60min
0.5oz 5.2% Styrian Goldings - 10min
0.5oz 5.2% Styrian Goldings - @knockout
0.5oz Curacao Orange Peel
0.5oz Sweet Orange Peel
2.0oz Coriander Seed
5ml Lactic Acid
Wyeast #3944 Belgian White Ale Yeast
Several Fireflies

Procedure:

Mash & sparge your favorite way and don't forget the fireflies. Boil 10 minutes for break material then 60 minutes following the hop schedule. Add 1/2 of the orange peels and 1/2 the coriander 10min to knockout and the remaining orange peels/coriander 5 minutes to knockout. Chill & pitch. Ferment @ 65F. Mix 5ml of lactic acid to batch at bottling.

It takes about 3 months for this beer to come into it's own: the lactic taste (sour) blended in real well after that period.

Specifics:

OG: 1.051 (12.5 plato)
FG: 1.016 (4.0 plato)
Color: 4 SRM
IBU: 20
Alcohol: 4.6% abv.