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.