Wheat Beer: Why You Should Choose This Brew

Wheat beer is a top-fermented beer, typically brewed with at least 30% wheat, and is often light in colour, low in bitterness, and relatively low in alcohol content. It can be cloudy or clear in appearance, and is usually served in a flute or vase glass. Wheat beer is a versatile drink, pairing well with a variety of foods, from mild cheeses to spicy dishes. It is a popular choice for summer, with its refreshing and easy-drinking qualities. Wheat beer comes in a variety of styles, including the well-known German Hefeweizen, and the Belgian Witbier, which is often spiced with coriander and orange peel.

Wheat beer is a versatile category with many styles

The most well-known wheat beer is Hefeweizen, a refreshing German style that is popular around the world. Hefeweizen is known for its low bitterness and prominent yeast flavours, with notes of banana, bubblegum, and clove. Other varieties of wheat beer include Dunkelweizen, a darker version with notes of caramel and roasted malt, and Weizenbock, a stronger wheat beer with more fruit and malt flavours.

Belgian Witbier is another important style of wheat beer, characterised by the use of unmalted wheat and spices such as coriander and orange peel. Berliner Weisse is a northern Bavarian style that is light and sour, often mixed with fruit. American Wheat beers are generally lighter and more adaptable, with both hoppy and non-hoppy versions available.

Wheat beers have a long history, dating back to ancient Sumerian times when beer was brewed with spelt, a variety of wheat. Wheat beers were also popular in Europe during the Middle Ages, particularly in Bavaria. However, they fell out of favour due to crop failures and the need to prioritise wheat for bread-making. It wasn't until the late 20th century that wheat beers regained popularity.

It's a refreshing, easy-drinking beer

Wheat beer is a refreshing, easy-drinking beer that is perfect for summer. It is typically light in colour, with a subtle sour edge and a cloudy appearance. The presence of hops is low to non-existent, and wheat beers tend to lack bitterness, making them easy to drink.

Wheat beers are top-fermented beers brewed with a large proportion of wheat relative to the amount of malted barley. The exact proportion varies depending on the style and region, but it is usually at least 30% wheat, and often much higher. For example, Weißbier uses at least 52% wheat to barley malt, while American wheat beers are made with at least 30% malted wheat.

The history of wheat beer dates back thousands of years. Through Sumerian records, we know that more than 8,000 years ago, people brewed beer with spelt, a variety of wheat. Wheat beers were also immensely popular in Bavaria in the Middle Ages. However, war and crop failures in the 15th century led to a decline in raw materials, and wheat beers fell out of favour as bread was deemed more important than beer.

Today, wheat beers come in many different styles, but they are generally light, summery, and refreshing. Some of the most popular varieties include Hefeweizen, Dunkelweizen, Weizenbock, Witbier, Berliner Weisse, and American Wheat. These beers often have fruity and spicy notes, with hints of banana, clove, bubblegum, coriander, and orange peel.

Wheat beers are typically low to medium in alcohol content, making them perfect for easy drinking on a hot day. They are also versatile and pair well with a variety of foods, from mild cheeses and fresh fruit to spicy dishes and game-day appetizers. So, if you're looking for a refreshing and easy-drinking beer to enjoy this summer, be sure to give wheat beer a try!

Wheat beers are low in bitterness

Wheat beers are known for their refreshing and crisp taste. The American pale wheat beer, for example, is known for its mild hop bitterness and subtle wheat flavor. Berliner Weisse is another example of a wheat beer that is low in bitterness. It is typically brewed with very few hops and has a low ABV, resulting in a light and refreshing beer.

Wheat beers are also very versatile and can be paired with a variety of foods. They go well with German cuisine, Mexican cuisine, spicy food, seafood, and brick cheeses. Wheat beers are also great for hot summer days as they are light and easy to drink.

Wheat beers are typically light in colour

Wheat beers are often compared to lagers, which also tend to be light in colour, low in bitterness, and relatively low in alcohol content. However, lagers have a wider range of colours and styles, from pale pilsners to dark amber dunkels. Wheat beers, on the other hand, are usually top-fermented ales that require a high percentage of malted or unmalted wheat. The most well-known wheat beer is hefeweizen, a refreshing German style that is popular worldwide.

The light colour of wheat beers, such as hefeweizen, is due to the use of malted wheat and the fermentation process. Hefeweizen, which means "yeast wheat" in German, has a cloudy appearance and a fruity flavour, often with hints of banana and clove. It is known for its low hop bitterness and high carbonation, making it a refreshing and easy-drinking beer.

Other varieties of wheat beer, such as Berliner Weisse and Belgian witbier, also tend to be light in colour. Berliner Weisse is a cloudy, sour beer that is pale and low in alcohol content. It is often flavoured with fruity syrups like raspberry, peach, or grapefruit. Witbier, on the other hand, is a Flemish "white beer" made with unmalted wheat and spiced with coriander and orange peel. It has a pale colour and subtle spicy notes.

The light colour of wheat beers contributes to their refreshing and easy-drinking nature, making them a popular choice, especially during the summer months.

Wheat beers are often cloudy

However, there are now many beers designed to be cloudy, as some brewers believe that filtering out the larger particles in the beer also strips out the flavour. While the science behind this belief is hard to argue with, the question remains whether drinkers want those flavours. In the case of wheat beers, the answer is often yes. The yeast in wheat beers carries the bubblegum, clove, and banana aroma that gives the beverage its unique flavour and velvety mouthfeel.

The cloudiness of wheat beer can be attributed to a few factors. One is suspended yeast, which can remain in the beer even when chilled. The tendency of yeast cells to bind to each other and form clumps that settle out quickly is called flocculation. Wheat beers that use yeast strains with low flocculation characteristics will result in cloudier beers, as the yeast will remain suspended in the liquid for longer.

Another factor contributing to the cloudiness of wheat beer is the presence of proteins and polyphenols. Polyphenols are flavour-contributing compounds introduced from grain and hops, which can also cause haze in the beer. While professional brewing operations spend a lot of resources combating this type of haze, it is a natural and universal component of beer.

Additionally, the chill haze can also contribute to the cloudiness of wheat beer. Chill haze doesn't appear until the beer is cooled, and it can be frustrating for brewers as the cloudiness disappears and reappears with temperature changes.

Overall, the cloudiness of wheat beers is a desirable characteristic that contributes to the unique flavour and mouthfeel of the beverage.

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