Imperial Wheat Beer: A Comprehensive Guide

Wheat beer is a top-fermented beer with a large proportion of wheat relative to malted barley. The two main varieties are German Weizenbier and Belgian witbier. The term imperial is used for beers with high alcohol content and rich flavour profiles. Imperial wheat beers are brewed with a large proportion of wheat and have a high alcohol content. They are often dark-coloured and have a smooth mouthfeel and velvety texture.

History of Imperial Wheat Beer

Wheat beers have a long and complex history, dating back thousands of years. While the term "imperial wheat beer" did not appear in the search results, here is a history of wheat beer:

The history of wheat beer can be traced back to ancient times, with records indicating that more than 8000 years ago, people brewed beer with spelt, a variety of wheat. However, the next few millennia are less clear, and it is only in the 14th century that we see wheat beer gaining popularity in Europe, particularly in Belgium and Bavaria.

In the 6th century, Belgium started brewing with all types of grain, and by the 16th century, Witbier became a significant style across the country as brewers experimented with more wheat. Witbier, also known as "white beer", is characterised by the use of flavourings such as coriander and orange peel, and is often made with raw unmalted wheat.

Wheat beers were also introduced to Bavaria in the 15th century, but their development was hindered by the Reinheitsgebot law, which forbade the use of wheat in beer. This law was amended in 1548 when William IV, Duke of Bavaria, granted special permission to brew and sell wheat beer. Despite this, wheat beers continued to face challenges in Bavaria due to war and crop failures in the following centuries, leading to a decline in their production.

It was not until the late 20th century that wheat beers regained popularity. Today, wheat beers are known for their cloudy appearance and prominent yeast flavours, with low to no presence of hops. They vary in name and style depending on the region they are brewed, with German Weizenbier and Belgian Witbier being the two main varieties.

While the history of wheat beer is fascinating, it is difficult to ascertain the specific history of imperial wheat beer without further information.

Brewing Process

Imperial wheat beer is a style of beer that is brewed with a blend of wheat and barley, with the wheat portion making up 30-70% of the total. The term "imperial" originally referred to beers, usually stouts, that were brewed in England and shipped to Russia, specifically the imperial court, in the 1800s. Today, the term is used more generally to indicate a top-of-the-line luxury beer with increased alcohol content, flavour intensity, and raw ingredients.

Milling

The first step in the brewing process is to mill the grains, which in this case would be a blend of wheat and barley. The grains are milled to break them open and expose the starches inside, which will be converted into sugars during the mashing process.

Mashing

Mashing is the process of mixing the milled grains with hot water to convert the starches into fermentable sugars. For an imperial wheat beer, the brewer will generally increase the amount of malt in the recipe to draw out more fermentable sugars during mashing. This results in a higher alcohol content in the final beer.

Lautering

After mashing, the sweet liquid wort is separated from the grain husks in a process called lautering. This can be done through various methods such as sparging, where hot water is sprayed on top of the grain bed to rinse off the sugars, or recirculating the wort through the grain bed until it runs clear.

Boiling

The wort is then boiled, usually for about an hour. During boiling, bittering hops are added to balance the sweetness of the malt and to prevent the beer from becoming cloying or syrupy. Boiling also sterilises the wort and helps to concentrate the flavours.

Fermentation

After boiling, the wort is cooled and yeast is pitched to begin the fermentation process. Fermentation is when the sugars in the wort are converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide. For an imperial wheat beer, a dry wheat beer yeast is typically used, and fermentation temperatures can be adjusted to enhance certain flavours. For example, fermenting a German Hefeweizen above 72 degrees Fahrenheit will enhance banana flavours, while fermenting below this temperature will enhance clove flavours.

Aging and Bottling

Finally, the beer is aged and bottled. Aging allows the flavours of the beer to develop and mature, and can be done in various types of barrels to impart different characteristics. Bottling involves adding priming sugar to the beer to stimulate a small amount of fermentation in the bottle, which carbonates the beer.

Characteristics of Imperial 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 main varieties are German Weizenbier and Belgian witbier. Wheat beers vary in name depending on where they are brewed and small variations in the recipe.

Imperial beers are a style of high-end liquor. Beers in this class are brewed to yield high alcohol levels and rich flavour profiles. They were brewed for emperors in the past, hence the name Imperial. The term "imperial" was used in the 1800s for beer that was brewed in England but then shipped to Russia – specifically the imperial court. Brewers later started using the term more generally to indicate their top-of-the-line luxury beers.

Imperial beers contain high alcohol levels, typically between 7% and 14% ABV. They have full bodies and thick heads. Imperial beers have complex flavour profiles and pair well with similar foods, such as beef dishes like barbequed ribs and juicy steaks.

Combining the characteristics of wheat beer and imperial beer, we can assume that an imperial wheat beer would have a high alcohol content, a full body, a thick head, and a complex flavour profile. It would likely pair well with rich, strongly flavoured foods.

While I could not find a precise definition of an imperial wheat beer, one source details a home brewer's attempt to create an "Imperial Wheat" recipe. The recipe includes 6 lbs German wheat, 4 lbs German pilsner, 4 lbs Vienna, 1 lb flaked corn, ½ lb Crystal 10 or 20, and more. The brewer was aiming for a "big" wheat with a slight amber cast and a bit of bread and caramel to add to the dry wheat.

Pairing Suggestions

Wheat beers are fabulously flexible when it comes to food pairings. They are the equivalent of a crisp white wine in the beer world. There are two main styles: the cloudy, citrussy, and aromatic Belgian-style witbier, and the German hefeweizen, which has richer banana-and-clove flavours. In between these two styles are a range of wheat beers that fall somewhere in the middle but are basically suited, like witbier, to salads, seafood, and dishes flavoured with citrus and herbs.

Seafood

• Crab
• Mussels
• Oysters
• Clams
• Smoked salmon or trout
• Fish and chips
• Calamari
• Whitebait
• Seafood pastas and noodles, such as crab linguine with chilli and coriander or pad thai
• Seafood and light vegetable risottos
• White pizza or seafood-topped pizza

Meat and Poultry

• Dim sum and other light Chinese dishes such as stir-fries
• Fried or grilled sole or plaice
• Spring vegetables such as peas, beans, and asparagus
• Salads, especially mozzarella basil and tomato salad, Greek salad, and Caesar salad
• Potjevleesch, a chunky jellied terrine of pork, chicken, and rabbit found in northeast France

Cheese

Light fresh cheeses such as young goat cheese, sheep cheese, and feta. Beer and food guru Garret Oliver recommends an omelette with sharp apple and goats cheese

Spicy Food

Wheat beers are also great with spicy food. Try pairing with:

• Lighter Thai and Mexican dishes flavoured with citrus and herbs
• Indian food – sip your tipple with a mild curry (like a Korma)

Desserts

Fruit-filled and fruit-flavoured desserts, such as banana pudding

Other Wheat Beer Pairing Suggestions

• Buffalo wings bring out a wheat beer’s citrusy notes
• Add spicy Thai noodle dishes to achieve contrasting tastes

Popular Styles of Imperial Wheat Beer

Wheat beer is a popular style of beer made using wheat as the malt, giving the beer its signature refreshing and crisp taste. Wheat beers can be further categorised into the following styles:

American Pale Wheat

American Pale Wheat is a light and easy-drinking beer with a pale colour, mild hop bitterness, and subtle wheat flavour. It is known for its approachable and refreshing nature, making it a popular choice for those seeking a lighter option.

Berliner Weisse

Berliner Weisse is a traditional German wheat beer characterised by its light body and high carbonation. It typically has low alcohol content and is often served with flavoured syrup, such as raspberry or woodruff, to balance out the sourness.

Hefeweizen

Hefeweizen is a classic German wheat beer with a distinctive yeast strain that produces flavours of banana and clove. It is known for its cloudy appearance, full body, and effervescent carbonation. The unfiltered nature of Hefeweizen allows the yeast to remain in the beer, contributing to its unique flavour profile.

These popular styles of wheat beer showcase the versatility of wheat as a key ingredient, each offering a unique sensory experience while retaining the refreshing qualities associated with wheat beers.

Frequently asked questions