7 Questions About Wheat Beer (2024)

Summer is the season of wheat beers. The refreshing German style can be found in beer gardens across the country. So what is it about wheat beers, and what’s with all the variation in the style? Here’s everything you need to know about wheat beers but were too embarrassed to ask.

What is a wheat beer?

A wheat beer is any beer made up of at least 50 percent wheat, which is a much higher proportion than other beers that are primarily made of barley, rye, or adjuncts like rice and corn. Wheat beers come in as many styles as you can imagine, but in general, they’re light, summery, and refreshing.

What’s the difference between all the different varieties of wheat beers?

The first wheat beers started in Germany. Since then, the style has branched off in many different directions. Here are some of the most popular.

Don't Miss A DropGet the latest in beer, wine, and co*cktail culture sent straight to your inbox.

Hefeweizen: A Bavarian style that’s light in color and cloudy. The yeast used for hefeweizens adds banana, bubblegum, and clove notes to a beer. Some examples are Paulaner Hefe-Weizen and Kellerweis from Sierra Nevada.

Dunkelweizen: A hefeweizen that uses a more roasted malt, which makes it a slightly darker, brown beer (dunkel means dark in German). A lot of the flavors of a hefeweizen are there like banana and clove, but there’s also caramel and roasted notes. Some examples are Sam Adams Dunkelweizen, Shiner Holiday Cheer from Spoetzl Brewery, and Leavenworth Boulder Bend Dunkelweizen from Fish Brewing Company.

Weizenbock: A stronger hefeweizen with more fruit and malt flavors. It can come off as slightly creamy, and the higher alcohol by volume is noticeable. Some examples include Moonglow Weizenbock from Victory Brewing Company and Ayinger Weizenbock.

Witbier: A Belgian style wheat beer that is similar in banana and clove and bubblegum flavors, but also tastes of orange peel and coriander. The most popular example is Hoegaarden, but another good example is White Rascal from Avery Brewing Co.

Berliner Weisse: A northern Bavarian style that’s light and sour. It’s often mixed with fruit. Some examples are Yuzu from New Belgium Brewing Co., Festina Peche from Dogfish Head, and New Glarus Brewing Co.’s Berliner Weisse.

American Wheat: The American version of a German wheat beer. It’s generally lighter and more adaptable (and, of course, there are hoppy versions). Some examples include Sierra Nevada’s Hoppy Wheat IPA, American Expedition from Heritage Brewing Co., Widmer Brothers Brewing’s Hefeweizen, and American Wheat Hefeweizen from Squatters Craft Beers.

Do all wheat beers taste like Blue Moon and Shock Top?

When it comes to wheat beers, Americans are most familiar with Blue Moon, which is owned by Molson Coors, and Shock Top, which is owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev. Those two brands are everywhere, and are usually served with an orange slice. Blue moon is a Belgian style beer that’s lighter than a true Belgian. Shock Top is also a Belgian style beer that’s more citrusy than a traditional Belgian, and also lighter.

Why are wheat beers cloudy?

Wheat beers use ale yeast, which ferments on the top. The yeast and wheat proteins aren’t filtered out of the finished beer, giving it a hazy, sometimes opaque appearance.

Are wheat beers ales or lagers?

Ales.

Are wheat beers healthier?

Just because a beer uses whole wheat, malted wheat, and isn’t filtered, doesn’t mean it’s healthier.

How many calories are in wheat beer?

In general, wheat beers have more calories than, say, an American light macro lager. But at around 170 calories for the the mass-produced wheat beers, the calories are relatively the same as a full-strength beer. Just remember: the higher the alcohol by volume, the higher the calories.

Published: June 21, 2017

7 Questions About Wheat Beer (2024)

FAQs

What makes a wheat beer unique? ›

The separating factor between these types of beer and most other styles is the fact that either 50% or more of their malt bill comprises of wheat instead of barley. This gives the resulting beer a cloudy appearance and soft mouthfeel with notes of everything from banana, clove, bubble-gum and spice.

Is wheat beer healthier than normal beer? ›

Additionally, beer in general can be high in calories, so it may not be appropriate for individuals looking to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. However, wheat beer may be beneficial for your gut health as it contains probiotics from the use of wheat.

Is wheat beer strong? ›

A minor variety of wheat beer is represented by Berliner Weiße (Berlin White), which is low in alcohol (2.5% to 3% ABV) and intentionally tart. Sweetened syrups of lemon, raspberry, or woodruff herb are often added before drinking. Leipziger Gose is similar to Berliner Weiße, but slightly stronger at around 4% ABV.

Does wheat beer have less alcohol? ›

The most widely known wheat beer is hefeweizen, a refreshing style from Germany that's popular around the world. Wheat beers are typically light in color, low to medium in alcohol content, and can be cloudy or clear in appearance.

What are the fun facts about wheat beer? ›

Wheat beer facts for kids
  • Wheat beer is a top-fermented beer which is brewed with a large proportion of wheat relative to the amount of malted barley. ...
  • Weißbier (German – "white beer") uses at least 50% wheat to barley malt to make a light coloured top-fermenting beer.
Jan 20, 2024

Why does wheat beer taste better? ›

Wheat beers are fermented at higher temperatures as compared to lager beers and the ale yeast produces more esters and phenols, thereby making the beer more flavourful. Wheat beers contain a lot of wheat in addition to malt and are hazy as they contain some yeast in it.

What is the difference between wheat beer and regular beer? ›

Wheat beer, as the name suggests, is made up of at least 50 per cent wheat. The wheat content is much higher than in other beers that primarily contain barley or rye. While most wheat beers are pale and cloudy, they are also light and refreshing.

Why is a wheat beer never brewed with 100% wheat? ›

Typically the grist (grain) for a Hefeweizen is somewhere around 50% barley malt and 50% wheat malt. It could be 60/40 or 40/60, but it's typically not 100% because malted wheat doesn't contain enough enzymes to fully convert the starches to sugars, whereas malted barley frequently (depending on the type) does.

How to tell if a beer is a wheat beer? ›

What to look for: A fluffy, long-lasting white head is definitely a signature of wheat beers, but the grain contributes a distinct flavor as well. Smooth, refreshing, and lightly sweet, wheat just tastes different from barley.

What is the difference between a pilsner and a wheat beer? ›

Both have a slightly sweeter taste, with pilsner's attributed to malts and hefeweizen's sweetness to wheat. Pilsners tend to show more hop and bitter characteristics. In the glass, there's no mistaking the two: Pilsners are filtered and distinctly clearer, unlike the cloudy hefeweizens.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Prof. An Powlowski

Last Updated:

Views: 5769

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. An Powlowski

Birthday: 1992-09-29

Address: Apt. 994 8891 Orval Hill, Brittnyburgh, AZ 41023-0398

Phone: +26417467956738

Job: District Marketing Strategist

Hobby: Embroidery, Bodybuilding, Motor sports, Amateur radio, Wood carving, Whittling, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Prof. An Powlowski, I am a charming, helpful, attractive, good, graceful, thoughtful, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.