helles 2021

If there’s one thing that wrecks this beer, it’s diacetyl. That means that you’re looking to prevent the production of its precursor, so start fermentation cool, at 50°F (10°C). You also want the yeast cells to clean up any diacetyl that they’ve made, so when you’re about halfway through primary fermentation (when the gravity hits 1.022 or so) push the temperature up to 60°F (15°C) and hold it there until 2−3 days after the completion of fermentation. Before you go to packaging, pull a sample and put it in the microwave for about 10 seconds—then remove and sniff. If you don’t smell butter, you’re good to go! If you do, keep waiting and try it again in a few days. It should clear up almost completely, and this force test will bring it out of hiding if it’s still there.

Then, to promote clarity, cold crash it before packaging. You’ll want to carbonate this to about 2.25 volumes of CO2, and if you’re going to make a mistake, err on the high side. I’ve tried this beer slightly under-carbonated, and it really kills it. The flavor tastes flabby and dull.