Lagers And Wheat Beers: What's The Difference?

Wheat beer is a top-fermented beer brewed with a large proportion of wheat relative to the amount of malted barley. Wheat beers are typically light, summery, and refreshing, and can be made using either ale or lager yeast. On the other hand, lagers are bottom-fermented beers that are known for their clean, crisp flavours that showcase the other ingredients in the beer, such as grains and hops. So, are wheat beers lagers? The answer is that it depends—some wheat beers are made with lager yeast, while others are made with ale yeast.

Wheat beers are top-fermented and brewed with a large proportion of wheat

Wheat beers come in many styles, but the two main varieties are German Weizenbier and Belgian Witbier. Other types include Lambic, made with wild yeast, Berliner Weisse, a cloudy and sour beer, and Gose, a sour and salty beer. Wheat beers can also be categorised by the region in which they are brewed, with styles including Bavarian-style, Belgian-style, and American wheat beers.

Bavarian wheat beers, also known as Weizenbier or Hefeweizen, are traditionally brewed with a large share of wheat malt, which was a ducal privilege in Bavaria. By law, Weizenbiers brewed in Germany must use a "top-fermenting" yeast. These beers are known for their low hop bitterness and relatively high carbonation. The special type of yeast used in their production results in distinctive flavours and aromas, such as banana, clove, bubble gum, and vanilla.

Belgian Witbiers, on the other hand, are often brewed with spices such as coriander, orange peel, and bitter orange, and can have a somewhat sour taste due to the presence of lactic or acetic acid. They are also characterised by their hazy, white appearance, caused by suspended yeast and wheat proteins.

American wheat beers are generally lighter and more adaptable than their German and Belgian counterparts, and there are also hoppy versions. They are typically light-bodied and citrusy, with a deep, complex spice profile.

Lagers are bottom-fermenting and use cooler temperatures

Lager is a type of beer that uses bottom-fermenting yeast and cooler temperatures during the fermentation process. Lager yeast settles at the bottom of the beer, and the fermentation process is longer, taking place at cooler temperatures. Most lager strains work well within the temperature range of 48–55°F (9–13°C).

To achieve these temperatures, homebrewers often use an ice bath or an immersion chiller, but these methods can struggle to reach the desired temperature. Plate chillers are more effective and can be used in conjunction with an immersion chiller to achieve the required temperature. Fermentation chambers, usually in the form of a small refrigerator or chest freezer, are another way to maintain the ideal temperature.

Lager fermentation begins with pitching the yeast at the desired temperature. The consensus is that the first few days of yeast growth and fermentation are critical for producing a clean lager yeast character. Even if the temperature rises slightly after this initial period, a clean lager can still result.

After fermentation, the beer enters the true lagering stage, which involves cold storage for three to four weeks or more. The lagering temperature is typically between 32 and 36°F (0 and 2°C). Lowering the temperature gradually by a few degrees each day is a best practice to avoid shocking the yeast and allowing it to continue maturing the beer.

By using specific temperature ranges and controlling the fermentation process, brewers can create crisp, clean lagers with the desired flavour profile.

Wheat beers are light, summery, and refreshing

Wheat beers are often associated with summer because they are light, refreshing, and not too heavy or high in alcohol. They are perfect for sipping in the heat or while enjoying outdoor activities. The Oberon Ale, for example, is a seasonal wheat ale from Michigan that is synonymous with welcoming summer after a long, cold winter. It is citrusy, with a hint of spice, and is often garnished with an orange slice.

Wheat beers can vary in style, but some popular varieties include Hefeweizen, a Bavarian style that is light in colour and cloudy, and Witbier, a Belgian style wheat beer with flavours of banana, clove, bubblegum, orange peel, and coriander. Wheat beers can also be sour, such as the Berliner Weisse, a northern Bavarian style that is light and sour and often mixed with fruit.

The refreshing quality of wheat beers makes them an excellent choice for warm weather. They tend to be low in alcohol and have a crisp, balanced flavour that pairs well with summer activities and foods. Whether you're lounging by the pool or playing beach volleyball, a wheat beer can be a perfect choice to keep you refreshed and hydrated.

Lagers are clean, consistent, and a great entry point for newcomers

Lagers are an excellent entry point for newcomers to the world of beer. They are clean, consistent, and well-made, offering a gentle introduction to the flavour profiles of beer.

Lagers are made with bottom-fermenting yeast, which has a lower tolerance for alcohol. This means that lagers tend to have a lighter, maltier taste. They are also fermented at cooler temperatures, which results in a longer process. This slower, cooler process, combined with the characteristics of the yeast, results in a beer that is light, consistent, and easy to drink.

Lagers are the most widely consumed type of beer in the world, and it is no surprise that they are often the first beer that people try. Their refreshing, crisp taste is a great starting point for those new to beer, and their longer shelf life means they are readily available. Classic lagers in America include Miller High Life, Coors, Budweiser, and Yuengling. These beers are a great way to start exploring the world of beer, and then, as Jim Koch of Boston Beer Co. says, drinkers can "work their way up the flavour ladder".

The world of beer is vast, and lagers are a fantastic place to start. Their clean, consistent taste is a great entry point, and from there, drinkers can explore the myriad styles and flavours that the world of beer has to offer.

Wheat beers are cloudy, while lagers can be light or dark

Wheat beers are cloudy due to the use of ale yeast, which ferments at the top, and the fact that wheat proteins are not filtered out of the finished beer. This gives wheat beers their hazy, sometimes opaque appearance. On the other hand, lagers can be light or dark in colour. They are made with bottom-fermenting yeast, which settles at the bottom of the beer, and has a lower tolerance for alcohol. The lager fermentation process is longer and takes place at cooler temperatures.

Lagers are typically a beer drinker's first introduction to the world of beer, as they are clean, consistent, and not challenging in terms of flavour. Classic lagers in America include Miller High Life, Coors, Budweiser, and Yuengling. Lagers can be pale, such as the Pilsners and German Helles, or darker, like American lagers. Wheat beers, on the other hand, are light in colour and alcohol level, making them perfect for summer drinking and for combining with fruit.

Wheat beers rely on wheat for the malt ingredient, which gives them their distinctive characteristics. They are typically light, summery, and refreshing, with a hazy appearance. Wheat beers come in many styles, but some of the most popular include Hefeweizen, a Bavarian style that is light in colour and cloudy, and Dunkelweizen, a slightly darker version with roasted malt notes. Witbier is another popular style, which is a Belgian wheat beer with flavours of banana, clove, bubblegum, orange peel, and coriander.

While wheat beers are cloudy due to the yeast and wheat proteins in the brew, this does not necessarily mean that they are inferior or infected. In fact, some brewers believe that filtering out the larger particles in beer strips out flavour. This is particularly true for wheat beers, where the yeast is the carrier of amazing bubblegum, clove, and banana aromas. Removing the yeast would result in a less aromatic and less velvety beer. However, it is important to note that the preference for cloudy or clear beer is purely a matter of personal taste.

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