Adding lemon flavor to my Hef Options

[epb]

I'm going to be brewing a hefeweizen and I want to give it a lemon flavor. Not too overpowering, but distinct. I've seen one recipe where they added 2 ounces of lemon extract and the juice from four lemons after the boil. I've heard that the extract might be a little too overpowering, though, so I'm wondering what others think about going this route. Has anyone tried using the extract? Any other ideas? Thanks!

[jeffdj]

If you can get your hands on some Sorachi Ace hops, they taste very lemony.
Other than that, I'd probably throw in a bunch of zest from a couple of lemons at the end of the boil.

Jeff

[LoveThemBrowns]

you can also add some lemongrass to the last 10 min of the boil. don't over do it though...a little will go a long way

[WallyG3]

I know zest works great with oranges - especially in secondary. I'd try lemon zest.

[toonces]

i'd go with what jeff said. another alternative, although i've never tried it(but i've been thinking about it) is to use lemon verbena. it is sometimes used to add lemon flavor to foods. i've no clue how much to use.

but, if you decide differently, i'd add the lemon extract just before bottling or kegging. not at the end of the boil. if it's lemon juice, then yes, at the end of the boil.

[zymot]

Warning: If you add the flavor to the whole 5 gallons, you are stuck with the results.

I would brew and bottle the Hefe without lemon flavor.

You can add a fresh lemon wedge for each glass.

As an alternative, the Germans have flavored syrups they add to their Hefe beers. So you can still be "to style."

The coffee section at the grocery store has the Italian flavored syrups. Last time I looked, just about every flavor syrups I can think of was there. If you can find lemon flavored syrup, that might be the way to go.

If you make a mistake, it is a 12 ounce mistake, not a 5 gallon mistake.

A different way to get where you are trying to go.

zymot

[happymonk]

Last year a buddy of mine did a watermelon hefe that was REALLY good on a hot day. I think he took the juice of one watermelon for 5 gallons. Sounded funky, worked quite well.

[chuck_d]

Last year a buddy of mine did a watermelon hefe that was REALLY good on a hot day. I think he took the juice of one watermelon for 5 gallons. Sounded funky, worked quite well.

Sounds awesome. What's 1 watermelon though? They vary greatly in sizes.

[DrGonzo]

I added 1 TBS of dried organic lemon peel to 5 gallons of dunkleweizen(I sprayed it with starsan and added to the primary fermentor and was in there for 2 weeks) that I currently have on tap and while it did add some lemon flavor to my finished beer... There is also a bit of a pith/sour taste as well. I would give this addition a thumb sideways and probably will not use it again accept for my wit beer recipe and save added lemon flavor to my hefes with a fresh cut lemon or orange wedge.

This post has been edited by DrGonzo: May 30 2008, 03:34 PM

[Zandelar]

I second the lemongrass to the last 10 mins of the boil method. It also gives a nice aroma.

[VP Brewer]

I would use lemon zest, 2-4 lemons depending on the size. In my witbier I usually add the zest of 2 lemons and 2 oranges and it comes out pretty decent. Very subtle, not overpowering.

[rico567]

I used lemon zest per the instructions when I brewed MW's Lemon Coriander Weiss kit. Very nice!