Summer Breeze NHC07

Category 20: Fruit Beer
Gold Medal

Greg Fowler, Hamilton, MI, Apricot Wheat
"Summer Breeze"

American Wheat Beer with Apricot

Ingredients for 10 U.S. gallons (38 L)

10.0    lb (4.5 kg) Briess wheat malt

8.5       lb (3.86 kg) pale malt

2.0       lb (0.9 kg) Briess dextrin malt

1.25    oz (35 g) Cascade whole hops, 7.8% alpha acid (60 min.)

0.75    oz (35 g) Cascade whole hops, 7.8% alpha acid (20 min.)

White Labs WLP 320 American Hefeweizen ale yeast starter (3 vials)

Forced CO₂ to carbonate (2.85 vol.)

0.5 lb rice hulls (in sparge)

Irish moss to clarify (1 Tb)

LD Carlson ammonium phosphate yeast nutrient (4 tsp)

Original Specific Gravity: 1.046

Final Specific Gravity: 1.012

Boiling Time: 90 min

Primary Fermentation: 8 days at 68° F (20° C) in steel

Directions

Mash in at 150° F (60° C) and hold for 60 minutes. Use 12 ml of LD Carlson Apricot Flavoring in each 12-ounce bottle, then fill with counter pressure bottle filler.

Judges' Comments

"Rich apricot aroma. Good balance, allows fruit to come through nicely. Very refreshing."