Lager Beer And Wheat: What's The Connection?

Wheat beers and lagers are often compared because they share some similarities, but there are also significant differences between the two. Both types of beer are usually light in colour, low in bitterness, and relatively low in alcohol content. They also share a common origin in Germany and are widely popular. However, lagers can be made with corn, barley, rice, or a combination of these grains, while wheat beers, as the name suggests, are made with a significant proportion of wheat, in addition to barley. Wheat beers are also typically top-fermented ales, while lagers are bottom-fermented.

Does Lager Beer Contain Wheat?

Wheat beers are top-fermented, lagers are bottom-fermented

Wheat beer and lager differ in terms of their fermentation processes, the types of yeast used, and the resulting flavours and aromas.

Wheat beers are top-fermented, meaning that the yeast used for fermentation settles at the top of the fermentation liquid. This process takes place at warmer temperatures, usually between 15°C and 24°C. Top-fermented beers tend to have a fruitier and ester-like taste and a richer aroma. They contain fruity esters and spicy phenols, making them light and refreshing, but also robust and complex, with hints of caramel, nuts, and spices. Wheat beers are typically light in colour, low to medium in alcohol content, and can be cloudy or clear.

Lagers, on the other hand, are bottom-fermented. The yeast used for fermentation settles at the bottom of the liquid, and the process occurs at cooler temperatures, usually between 7°C and 13°C. Bottom-fermented beers tend to have a cleaner, lighter taste and a milder aroma. They are typically clearer, crisper, and have a more persistent foam. Lagers have a wider range of colours and styles, from pale varieties like Pilsners to dark amber styles such as dunkels.

The distinction between top and bottom fermentation plays a significant role in the variety and taste of beers. Wheat beers, being top-fermented, tend to have more complex and fruity flavours, while lagers, as bottom-fermented beers, have a milder, cleaner taste.

Wheat beers are cloudy, lagers are clear

Well, it's not always true that wheat beers are cloudy and lagers are clear. Both can be either cloudy or clear. However, the processes involved in making wheat beers and lagers mean that one style might be expected to be cloudy, while the other is usually clear.

Wheat beers are usually top-fermented ales, and they must contain a high percentage of malted or unmalted wheat—at least 30%. This wheat content is what often gives wheat beers their cloudy appearance. Wheat beers are also known for their fruity flavours, and it is the yeast that gives them their cloudy appearance that also carries the bubblegum, clove, and banana aromas that wheat beers are known for.

Lagers, on the other hand, are bottom-fermented and can be made with corn, barley, rice, or any combination of those grains. The way lager yeast settles, along with colder fermentation temperatures and longer maturation periods, means that lagers are usually clear.

However, it's important to note that there are exceptions to this general rule. For example, kellerbiers are cloudy lagers that are left unfiltered and are much loved by German brewers.

Wheat beers are fruity, lagers are bitter

Wheat beers and lagers are often compared as they are both frequently light in colour, low in bitterness, and relatively low in alcohol. However, wheat beers are fruity, lagers are bitter.

Wheat Beers

Wheat beer is a category of beer that originated in Bavaria. It is typically a top-fermented ale, using at least 30% wheat in the brewing process, and comes in a variety of styles. Wheat beers are usually light in colour, low to medium in alcohol content, and can be cloudy or clear in appearance. They may be brewed with or without hops, depending on the variety, and tend to lack bitterness, making them easy to drink.

The most widely known wheat beer is hefeweizen, a refreshing style from Germany that's popular around the world. "Hefe" is the German word for yeast, which gives this classic style its cloudy appearance and fruity flavour. Light in colour and low in bitterness, hefeweizen is bubbly and drinkable, often featuring hints of banana and clove.

Other varieties of wheat beer include Berliner-style Weisse, which is often flavoured with fruity syrups like raspberry, peach, and grapefruit. Witbier, or Flemish for "white beer", is a Belgian-style wheat beer brewed using unmalted wheat and spiced with coriander and orange peel. It's refreshing with subtle spicy notes.

Lagers

Lagers are a type of beer that can be made with corn, barley, rice, or any combination of those grains. They are bottom-fermented and have a longer fermentation process than ales, taking place under cooler temperatures. Lagers have a wide range of colours and styles, from popular pale varieties like pilsners to dark amber styles such as dunkels.

Lagers are typically light and a little malty, and are often a beer drinker's first introduction to the world of beer. While wheat beers tend to lack bitterness, lagers often have more hop character.

Wheat beers are higher in gluten

Wheat beer is a category of beer that originated in Bavaria. Wheat beers are typically top-fermented ales and use at least 30% wheat in the brewing process. They are usually light in colour, low to medium in alcohol content, and can be cloudy or clear. Wheat beers are known by different names in different parts of the world, such as "Weißbier" in Bavaria and Austria, "Weizenbier" or "Weizen" in Northern and Western German regions, and "Bière Blanche" in France.

Now, let's discuss the gluten content of wheat beers. Gluten is a type of protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It is present in many processed foods like bread, pasta, noodles, and cereals. For individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, gluten can cause an immune response, leading to inflammation and damage to the small intestine. Wheat beers, due to their wheat content, are expected to be higher in gluten compared to other types of beer.

The amount of gluten in a food or beverage is typically measured in parts per million (ppm). In most countries, a product must contain fewer than 20 ppm of gluten to be considered gluten-free. Wheat beers, on the other hand, have been found to contain significantly higher levels of gluten. According to a source, the average gluten content of wheat beer is 25,920 ppm, which is far above the threshold for being considered gluten-free.

Therefore, it is clear that wheat beers are higher in gluten content. This information is especially important for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, who need to be cautious about their gluten intake. Wheat beers are not recommended for those following a gluten-free diet due to their high gluten levels.

Wheat beers are less popular

Wheat beers are often light in colour, low in bitterness, and relatively low in alcohol content. They may be brewed with or without hops and tend to lack bitterness, making them easy to drink. Wheat beers are known by several names, especially in Germany and the surrounding region where it originated, including "Weissbier" in Bavaria and Austria, "Weizenbier" or "Weizen" in Northern and Western German regions, and "Bière Blanche" in France.

Wheat beer is considered more of a category than a style of beer and includes several varieties, such as the widely known German Hefeweizen, a refreshing style that is popular around the world. Other varieties include American wheat beer, Belgian-style witbier, and Dunkelweizen, a darker wheat beer with a sweet maltiness. Wheat beers are typically highly carbonated and are best served chilled in a flute or vase glass to create a generous foamy head.

While wheat beers have their own unique characteristics and a dedicated following, they may be less popular than barley-based beers due to factors such as taste preferences, regional availability, and marketing. Lagers, for example, are often a typical entry point for new drinkers as they can taste light and are not particularly challenging in terms of flavour. Additionally, wheat beers may have a smaller market share or be produced by smaller breweries, contributing to their lower popularity compared to more widely consumed barley-based beers.

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