Fermentable

Wheat Malt

Category:: Grain
Type:: Base Malt
Stage:: Mash
Color Range:: 3
Notes:: Wheat has been used for brewing beer nearly as long as barley has, and it has equal diastatic power. Malted wheat is used for 5%-70% of the grain bill, depending on the style. Wheat has no outer husk and therefore has fewer tannins than barley. Wheat kernels are generally smaller than barley kernels and contribute more protein by weight to the beer, aiding in head retention. But this higher protein content and lack of a husk causes wheat mashes to be stickier than barley mashes, which may cause lautering problems. A protein rest during the mash or adding rice hulls to the mash (or both) can help with lautering when using a high proportion of wheat.