Wheat DME for hefe starter?

[jimlin]

My next batch will be an all extract hefe. I picked up a fresh vial of WLP300 and intend to make a starter. Can I use the briess wheat DME to make the wort for the starter? No reason that won't work, right?

[squirrelpirate]

That should work. I make all the starters for my wheat beers with wheat DME.

[spiderwrangler]

No reason it wouldn't but no reason it needs to be wheat DME either.

[brewinhard]

+1

[jimlin]

got my starter fermenting in my new 2000ml beaker from NB. Made it last night with some wheat DME. Probably put it in the fridge tonight as I might not get to brew until Sunday or Monday. All extract hefe (1/2 DME, 1/2 LME) with Hallertau for 60, shooting for 13-15 IBU. Using WLP300.

lots of firsts for this batch... first time going full boil (new 9G ss pot, plus a new immersion chiller from NB); first time using liquid yeast; first starter. So lots of things I could screw up!!

This will be my 3rd 5gal batch. Also have a few MrBeer attempts which is what got me started this past christmas. The MrB attempts have all seemed a bit "green" and tangy... although the Mad Dog IPA which was my 3rd MrB brew seems a bit more on target, and could just need more time conditioning (others having made this particular recipe do suggest bottle conditioning for a couple months). My 5-gal Amber (True Brew kit) was definitely a bit too sweet, but that could be my own fault by screwing with it and adding some 135L steeping grain. I had tried to adjust the hopping as well, but the kit had some prehopped LME and some pellets already, and I likely didn't calculate things right. Drinkable, just not that good.

I just tried a bottle of my Sierra PA-based clone (3 weeks in the bottle) and finally tasted bitterness instead of overly sweet or tangy. It was a partial boil, using Crystal 40 steeping grains and extract. Given the partial boil, I used Beer Alchemy to adjust the hop amounts, but I think I will be much better off with the full boil going forward. Plus my wife and kids won't complain about me stinking up the kitchen any more if I can brew full boil outside.

[snowcapt]

.

lots of firsts for this batch... first time going full boil (new 9G ss pot, plus a new immersion chiller from NB); first time using liquid yeast; first starter. So lots of things I could screw up!!

Also, lots of things that you can get right! Don't sweat it. Just remember to sanitize and work clean. Make a check list, too. It always puts my mind at ease to have everything clean, organized, and ready to go.
Good luck, brotha!
Sooner or later, the all-grain bug will come bitin", too.
Just take your time on the extract batches and learn the basic techniques and watch out for the evil boilover! one other thing you may want to look into is buying or making a stir-plate in the future.
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/my-stir ... ild-86252/

[jimlin]

Sooner or later, the all-grain bug will come bitin", too.
Just take your time on the extract batches and learn the basic techniques and watch out for the evil boilover! one other thing you may want to look into is buying or making a stir-plate in the future.
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/my-stir ... ild-86252/

Stirplate, aeration, water treatment... it's endless!

[snowcapt]

Sooner or later, the all-grain bug will come bitin", too.
Just take your time on the extract batches and learn the basic techniques and watch out for the evil boilover! one other thing you may want to look into is buying or making a stir-plate in the future.
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/my-stir ... ild-86252/

Stirplate, aeration, water treatment... it's endless!

Correct amundo!