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Wheat beer is a top-fermented beer brewed with a large proportion of wheat relative to malted barley. The two main varieties are German Weizenbier and Belgian witbier, but there are many other types of wheat beer. Here are some examples:
- Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier: A classic German wheat beer from a Bavarian brewery that has been around for centuries. It is fruity, light, and fragrant, with notes of banana, yeast, and fruit.
- Allagash White: A refreshing Belgian-style wheat beer with a complex spice profile and citrus notes. It is light-bodied and perfect for summer.
- Blue Moon Belgian White: A Belgian-style wheat beer brewed with Valencia orange peels, giving it a delicate sweetness and a distinctive citrus aroma. It is a great summertime brew and pairs well with grilled shrimp, Asian dishes, and marinated chicken.
- Lagunitas Stoopid Wit: A refreshing witbier with a fruity complexity, brewed with orange peel, coriander, and hops. It has a delightful bounty of orange-lemon, white-grape, and apple-pear accents, with floral rose-lavender notes.
- Paulaner Hefe-Weizen: A cloudy and creamy German wheat beer with a fruity flavour profile, dispensing additional notes of clove and pepper. It is the #1 wheat beer in Germany and a favourite among beer enthusiasts.
- Stone and Wood The Gatherer: An Australian-style wheat beer brewed with watermelon, cucumber, and mint, then bittered with Galaxy hops. It is fruity, unique, and refreshing, making it a terrific mixer for summer cocktails.
Characteristics of Wheat Beer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| ABV | 2.5% to 7% |
| Appearance | Cloudy, Hazy, Golden, Pale, Dark |
| Flavour | Banana, Bubblegum, Citrus, Coriander, Cloves, Spices, Yeast, Vanilla, Caramel, Malt, Fruit, Hoppy, Tart, Sweet |
| Mouthfeel | Soft, Effervescent, Creamy, Light, Crisp, Refreshing |
| Country of Origin | Germany, Belgium, USA, Australia |
German Hefeweizen
Some popular examples of German Hefeweizen include:
- Schneider Weisse Hefeweizen (Original) from Kelheim
- Hacker-Pschorr Weisse from Munich
- Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier from Munich
- Hofbrau Hefe Weizen from Munich
- Tucher Helles Hefe-Weizen from Nuremburg
- Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier from Feising
- Erdinger Hefeweizen from Erding
- Paulaner Hefe-Weizen from Munich
- Pinkus Organic Hefe-Weizen from Munster
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Belgian Witbier
The style originated in Belgium in the Middle Ages, with the first breweries in Leuven and Hoegaarden, located 15 to 30 miles east of Brussels. In the 16th century, Leuven and Hoegaarden brews earned wider fame and Leuven became famous for its breweries. However, after World War II, the style became nearly extinct. Luckily, in the 1960s, Belgian brewer Pierre Celis revived the style with his Hoegaarden Brewery, sparking a Witbier renaissance.
The unique taste, appearance, and aroma of Belgian Witbier are the result of its brewing process. Witbiers are brewed using unmalted wheat, sometimes oats, and malted barley. They are also spiced with coriander and orange peel, and occasionally other spices or herbs. The wheat contributes to the beer's cloudiness and its slightly sour flavour profile, while the coriander and orange peel add a citrusy aroma and subtle hints of citrus flavour. The combination of these ingredients results in a refreshing, light-bodied beer with a crisp, slightly tart finish.
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American Wheat Beer
The appearance of American Wheat Beer can range from pale yellow to gold, and the beer is usually unfiltered, resulting in a hazy or cloudy look. The high protein content of wheat malt contributes to this cloudy appearance. Despite the use of yeast, American Wheat Beer is not known for having strong yeast flavours. Instead, it often has bready, doughy, or grainy wheat flavours that come from the wheat malt.
The hop character and bitterness of American Wheat Beer can vary from low to medium. The beer may have a citrusy, spicy, floral, or fruity character from the hops. Many American wheat beers also have a slightly tangy light acidity.
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Wheatwine
The style originated in the 1980s in the US, when Phil Moeller and a friend accidentally added too much wheat when brewing a barley wine. They decided to continue with the brew and were pleased with the result. In 1988, Moeller, then brewmaster at Rubicon Brewing Company in Sacramento, California, released the first commercial wheatwine, Winter Wheat Wine.
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Weizenbock
Some examples of Weizenbocks include Glockenspiel Weizenbock by Great Lakes Brewing Co., Moonglow by Victory Brewing Co., and Weizenbock by AleSmith Brewing Co.
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