Expert: Alan Ward - 5/1/2009

Question
Alan thanx for time... I recentley mashed up a hefen weisen with wpl300 and wheat extract and Hallartu hops.. after two days.. no fermentaion... but yeast seems to be at the bottom... I added some Prise de Mousse dry yeast ( from earlier mead batches) It seems to have saved the batch so far.. lots of fermentation and airlock bubbling and froth.... Is this okay or should I say Is this still going to be a beer? or a champagne? or should I add (sugar,,,, being friut on the next batch to feed the yeast? is too much yeast or mixed yeast bad? I apreciate any suport Alan

Answer
Jesse,

Did you take a hydrometer sample in the beginning?  That is the only way to be sure the first yeast was not working.  And did you take a sample before you added Prise De Mousse?

As to what you will get.  If your luck is like mine this will be the best batch you ever make.  Unfortunetly it will also be almost impossible to repeat.

The taste will depend on how much the WPI300 actually fermented and how much sugar was left for the Prise De Mousse to ferment.

What you will have will be technically beer since you used grain to mash but you will most likely get a more bubbly drink than the average beer.

At this point you are in uncharted waters. I would take a sample and check the gravity and taste.  If you like it then do not add the fruit.  If the flavor is not great then add the fruit and let it sit a while longer, let say 10 to 14 days.  Then bottle, being very careful.  I would had have the bottling sugar than usal.  

Actually after thinking a bit I might be inclinde to add some oranges, or raseberrys or blackberrys.  Yes I would go with the rasberrys.  The wheat should go nicely with the berry and chanpagne yeast.  

If you want to bump up the alcohol you can add sugar but I would use honey instead to avoid a cider taste.  Again this is a personal preference.

Some of my best brews have been do to some unexpected change or mistake.  With this in mind I would just relax and enjoy the quest.  MOst likely it will end up tasting great.

Please let me know what you do and how it comes out.

I hope this helps.  Please feel free to write back with more aquestions or concerns.

Alan