Best Wheat-Free Beers: Enjoy Without The Wheat

Wheat beers are ales or lagers that are brewed with a large proportion of wheat relative to the amount of malted barley. Wheat beers are known for their refreshing nature, with modest alcohol content, a citrusy and zesty profile, and a soft mouthfeel. They are usually hazy and easy to drink. Wheat beers include German Weizenbier and Belgian witbier, as well as Berliner Weisse, Gose, and Lambic. While wheat beers are typically associated with summer, some breweries offer them all year.

Wheat beers are usually top-fermented and brewed with a large proportion of wheat relative to malted barley

Wheat beers are typically top-fermented and brewed with a large proportion of wheat relative to malted barley. The two main varieties are German Weizenbier and Belgian witbier, but there are other types, including Lambic (made with wild yeast), Berliner Weisse (a cloudy, sour beer), and Gose (a sour, salty beer).

Weißbier (German for "white beer") is made with at least 52% wheat to barley malt, resulting in a light-coloured, top-fermenting beer. Witbier (Dutch for "white beer"), on the other hand, is often brewed with flavourings such as coriander and orange peel. Belgian white beers, in particular, are often made with raw unmalted wheat.

Wheat beers originated in Bavaria and typically 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 in appearance. Wheat beers are often associated with summer due to their refreshing qualities. They tend to be low in bitterness, making them easy to drink, and are known for their generous foam heads.

Wheat is used in brewing because of its soft, crisp flavour, which pairs well with additions of berries and other fruits. Wheat beers are also hazy with proteins, offering a distinct contrast to the brightly filtered "industrial" brews. The higher protein levels in wheat enhance foam stability and increase the beer's mouthfeel.

While wheat beers typically contain a large proportion of wheat, some beers are made with little to no wheat. Gluten-free beers, for example, are made with gluten-free grains such as sorghum, rice, or millet. Additionally, traditional beers like lagers can be made with grains other than wheat, such as corn, barley, or rice.

German Weizenbier and Belgian Witbier are the two main varieties of wheat beer

Wheat beer is a top-fermented beer brewed with a large proportion of wheat relative to the amount of malted barley. The two most common varieties are German Weizenbier and Belgian Witbier.

German Weizenbier

Also known as Weißbier, Weizenbier is a beer traditionally from Bavaria, where it was introduced in the 15th century. By law, Weizenbiers brewed in Germany must use a top-fermenting yeast. This specialised yeast produces overtones of banana and clove as by-products of fermentation. Weizenbier is also noted for its low hop bitterness and relatively high carbonation.

Belgian Witbier

Witbier, or "white beer", is a barley/wheat, top-fermented beer brewed mainly in Belgium and the Netherlands. It gets its name from the suspended yeast and wheat proteins, which cause the beer to look hazy or white when cold. Witbiers are often brewed with spices such as coriander, orange, and bitter orange.

Wheat beers have a distinct flavour profile that separates them from other types of beer

German Weizenbier, or Hefeweizen, is made with a significant proportion of wheat and is characterised by its banana and clove flavours, created by the Bavarian yeast strains used to ferment them. These beers can be clear, like a Kristallweizen, hazy, or even amber to mahogany in colour, like a Dunkelweizen.

Belgian Witbiers, on the other hand, are brewed with coriander and citrus or other spices, which complement the bready, bright wheat notes of the beer. Belgian yeasts also add fruity and spicy flavours. Witbiers are always cloudy, and the word "wit" in Dutch means "white", referring to the suspended yeast and wheat proteins that make the beer look hazy or white when cold.

While American wheat beers are also brewed with a large proportion of wheat, they use clean American yeasts, which don't create the same heavy clove and banana flavours found in German wheat beers or the fruity, spicy character of Belgian Witbiers. American wheat beers can range from relatively clear to cloudy in appearance, and they tend to have a more noticeable hop character, resulting in a crisp texture compared to Witbiers or Hefeweizens.

Wheat beers are known for their exceptional drinkability and tend to have a moderate alcohol content, typically ranging from 2.5% to 5% ABV. They are usually light in colour, with a nice head due to the high protein content of wheat malt and carbonation levels.

Wheat beers are often hazy with a modest ABV, a citrusy profile, and a soft mouthfeel

Wheat beers are characterised by their cloudy appearance and soft mouthfeel. They are often hazy, with a modest ABV, a citrusy profile, and a soft mouthfeel.

The cloudiness of wheat beers comes from the high proportion of wheat used in brewing, which can be over 50% of the malt bill. This gives wheat beers a soft mouthfeel and a cloudy appearance. Wheat beers are often hazy, with a modest ABV ranging from 2.5% to 6%. The exact ABV depends on the style and brewery.

The two main varieties of wheat beer are German Weizenbier and Belgian Witbier. German Weizenbier, or Hefeweizen, is characterised by its strong banana and clove flavours, created by the Bavarian yeast strains used during fermentation. These beers are also highly carbonated, which helps to balance the maltiness.

Belgian Witbiers, on the other hand, are brewed with spices such as coriander and orange peel, giving them a citrusy profile. They are also hazy and tend to have a modest ABV, making them thirst-quenching and ideal for summer drinking.

In addition to these two main varieties, there are several other styles of wheat beer, including American wheat beer, Berliner Weisse, and Gose. American wheat beers have a more noticeable hop character, resulting in a crisp texture. Berliner Weisse is a sour, low-alcohol wheat beer that is often served with sweetened syrups of lemon or raspberry. Gose is a sour and salty wheat beer that includes coriander and salt among its ingredients.

Wheat beers are typically approachable, drinkable, balanced, and perfect for the entry-level craft beer drinker

Wheat beer is an ale or lager that contains a substantial amount of wheat in the grain bill, allowing the flavour and character of the malted wheat to be noticeable on the palate. Wheat beers are often hazy and have a modest alcohol content. They are known for their refreshing nature, making them the perfect summer drink.

There are several styles of wheat beer, including hefeweizen and witbier. Hefeweizen is of German origin and is known for its phenolic yeast character, imparting aromas and flavours of clove and banana. Witbier, on the other hand, is a Belgian-style brew often spiced with dried orange peel and coriander.

American wheat beer is another popular style, which lets the wheat's flavour shine through with a hint of citric acidity. These beers are often unfiltered and easy to drink, making them appealing to a broad customer base.

Some well-known wheat beers include:

• Blue Moon Belgian White: a refreshing witbier with sweet orange and citrus flavours.
• Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier: a classic German wheat beer that is fruity, light, and fragrant.
• Allagash White: a complex Belgian-style wheat beer with citrus and spice notes.
• Samuel Adams Summer Ale: an affordable and flavourful wheat ale with citrus and spice notes.
• Lagunitas Stoopid Wit: a refreshing witbier with fruity and floral notes.

Frequently asked questions