These beers tend to be pale straw to pale gold in color. They have very thick, white, persistent heads. Wheat beers are relatively low in alcohol. These beers can range between 4- 5.5% ABV. This puts them close to session beers, so they are very drinkable without dehydrating you (alcohol acts as a dehydrant which is the main reason why those who overindulge without drinking water end up with a headache or a hangover).
Wheat beers have a fun, refreshing, crisp, effervescent mouth feel due to the high malted wheat content. The grist for these beers is generally 50%.
The hopping rate for these beers is generally between 10-20 IBU’s (international bittering units). This is about the same bitterness as an American Lager. The low hopping rate makes this beer extremely food friendly.
These beers are well paired with salad, fruit, and cheese platters. Their flavors range from the neutral American wheat, to the banana, clove like fruitiness of a German Weiss (the term hefe refers to the yeast not the wheat), or the spicy coriander and orange-like profile of a Belgian Wit.
These beers lend themselves very well to fruit style beers. It will not be uncommon to find the brewer play with berries or stone fruit. 21st Amendment does a great job in playing with summer themed wheat beer and fruit by featuring watermelon in their wheat beer.
These beers are a perfect example of my "Wars of the Yeast" article. While the water, hop schedule and grain bill may be similar, it is the yeast that gives the beer a very distinctive profile.
I personally have never been a fan of the German style wheat beers. I have come across many others who say they do not like “wheat beers”. In fact it is the style they may not care for. I love it when I can turn them on to other wheat style beers and see their faces light up!
Because of the general appeal of wheat beers, you will almost always find a wheat style on tap at your favorite brewery or in bottles at your favorite beverage store or supermarket.
Typically you will be served these beers with a wedge of lemon or orange. Although these beers are not traditionally served in this manner, you don’t have to be hoity- toity about it like I was when I learned this little fact and toss the fruit. If you don’t want the fruit, discreetly set it aside. No big deal.
These beers are also the most common styles in which you may find a fruit profile on the label of the beer. Wheat beers lend themselves very well to fruit flavors, particularly stone fruit.
When you serve a wheat style beer don’t forget what I mentioned in my earlier article about decanting beers. These beers are often bottled with the yeast and or are unfiltered. It is up to you how you would like to serve them. I recommend that you start without the yeast. Be sure to read the article on decanting.
Aside from decanting the beer, you want to pour carefully. These beers have a large head and need to be poured so that you don’t waste the beer.
These beers also call for a particular glass style, usually short stemmed with long narrow bowls. Check out the picture to get an idea of an appropriate glass style for these beers.
My personal favs are:
American –Lost Coast Brewing Co.: Great White
German- Sudwerk’s: hefeweizen
Belgian- St.Bernardus Wit. This comes in a 750ml. Bottle with a champagne cork and tie. It makes a great beer to try at parties and there is plenty to share.
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