Wheat Beer : Bring Different Flavors to the Party

The key difference between wheat beer and other beer is that wheat beer is brewed with a higher percentage of wheat in proportion to malted barley. This is typically how wheat beer is made. Moreover, there are different styles within the category and each one brings out a unique flavor to the brew.

Additionally, apart from American Wheat Beer, there is the German Hefeweizen and Belgian Witbier as well. However, both these beer varieties are predominantly made of wheat. Witbier, especially, is often brewed with spices. And hefeweizen adds a yeasty character to the brew along with notes of banana.

In fact, wheat beer does have unique flavor characteristics that separate them from other types of beverages. And then, there are several other local and foreign breweries for craft and lager as well that make excellent wheat beer. Several of these brews pair quite well with food.

Some of our favorite picks are listed here to help and guide you through the best wheat beer experience.

And then, you will also be surprised to know that beer as such reduces stress levels and inflammation without harming the body. Studies reveal that wheat beer contains an antioxidant called ‘Polyphenols’. And that this antioxidant has anti-viral characteristics which slow down the genes that enhance stress.

Top Wheat Beer Brands

  • Allagash White: This best overall wheat beer comes from the Maine region of the United States. It features 5.2 percent ABV alongside tasting notes of yeast, citrus, and spice. Allagash White, in fact, is the perfect wheat beer. But it is not the only hot take. And for good reason, this beer has gone from a small craft beer to a household name in under 25 years. Allagash White is citrusy and light-bodied. It is a perfect drink for the summer featuring a deep and complex spice profile you can reach out for throughout the year. And it is evident that the quality of this wheat beer has held up ground over the decades.
  • Blue Moon Belgian White: This best-flavored wheat beer comes from the Colorado region of the United States. Featuring 5.4 percent ABV along with tasting notes of citrus, coriander, and oats, this Belgian-style beer is brewed with Valencia orange peels. It gives the brew a subdued, delicate sweetness and a distinctive citrus aroma. And this is what makes it the best wheat beer according to experts. This beer goes great with Asian dishes, grilled shrimp, and marinated chicken dishes. Blue Moon is normally served with a slice of orange. And the garnish is meant to complement the citrus backbone. It is an excellent summertime drink to reach out for because of its crisp, and exhilarating flavor profile.
  • Flying Dog Brewery Chesapeake Wheat: This best craft wheat beer comes from the Maryland region of the United States. It features 5 percent ABV along with tasting notes of citrus, fruits, and hops. The Flying Dog Brewery and the Oyster Recovery Partnership have worked together to keep the Chesapeake Bay healthy and thriving. They have added millions of baby oysters back into the Bay to help filter impurities. The Flying Dog Chesapeake Wheat Beer is an enjoyably crisp wheat ale that boasts complex aromas alongside citrus flavors. And the brewery supports oyster restoration efforts by adding 10 oysters to the ocean for every bottle of beer sold in the market.
  • Jack’s Abby Blood Orange Wheat Radler: This best splurge wheat beer comes from the Massachusetts region of the United States. It features 4 percent ABV along with tasting notes of orange, fruits, and yeast. The Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers Blood Orange Wheat redefines the classic, malty, German-style radler. It puts forth a fruit-forward blood orange infusion. And the brew is both, refreshing along with low-alcohol content. In fact, this wheat beer is ideal for hot summer days and nights. However, it is not priced as low as some other options. Nonetheless, you will feel good about supporting a distinct craft brewery while tasting an excellent wheat beer variety.
  • Jackalope Lovebird Strawberry Raspberry Wheat: This best fruit-infused wheat beer comes from the Tennessee region of the United States. It features 4.4 percent ABV along with tasting notes of berry, tart, and spice. The Jackalope Brewing Company is owned by a woman in Nashville. It specializes in beers that feature names and labels along with a unique and stylized design involving birds. The Lovebird Strawberry Raspberry Wheat Ale is brewed with raspberries and strawberries. This is why the beer has a slightly pink hue. The wheat in the brew lends a smooth and velvety base to the drink. And the fruits in this wheat beer add tartness and berry aroma to this light and flavorful brew. Overall, the Lovebird Strawberry Raspberry is a very refreshing and highly satisfying summer beer.
  • Lagunitas Stoopid Wit: This best American wheat beer comes from the California region of the United States. It features 6.3 percent ABV along with tasting notes of honey, flora, and tropical fruits. Overall, the Lagunitas Stoopid Wit is a refreshing witbier along with an amazing amount of mellow complexity. It is brewed in the Belgian style with orange peel and coriander. The American style inclusion of hops is yet another addition. In short, the Lagunitas Stoopid Wit presents a delightful bounty of orange and lemon flavors. Along with whitish grape and apple-pear accents topped with floral rose and lavender notes. Ultimately, the brew is mixed with the standard wheat ale flavor to be just what it is.
  • Lindemans Lambic Beers: This best Belgian wheat beer comes from Belgium. It features 2.5 to 5.0 percent ABV along with tasting notes of citrus, fruits, and vanilla. However, Lindemans Lambic is more of a subset of the wheat beer category these days. Nevertheless, you would love the way it pairs with intensely flavored spicy foods. This fruit-style Belgian beer is refreshingly tasty alongside some spicy Thai food. And the cassis expression would equally complement a number of summertime grilled and barbecued meats as well. The spontaneously fermented lambic beers are refreshing examples of fruit-flavored wheat beers. And then there are other craft flavors available as well.
  • Samuel Adams Summer Ale: This best-budget wheat beer comes from the Massachusetts region of the United States. It features 5.3 percent ABV along with tasting notes of citrus, spice, and hops. This seasonal wheat ale option from Samuel Adams is affordable. Moreover, it does not pinch on flavor. The Summer Ale makes a good choice, especially when you are throwing a party. Made with a citrus blend of orange, lime, and lemon peels, along with grains of blissful spice, the Samuel Adams Summer Ale is certainly a good combination that unfolds a bright citrus palate that is never overpowering. And with a reasonable amount of ABV content, you can always enjoy a couple without slowing down. Don’t miss to give this a try as Samuel Adams is one of the original players of the craft brewing movement.
  • Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier: This best German wheat beer comes from Germany. It features 5.4 percent ABV along with tasting notes of bananas, fruits, and yeast. This classic Deutsch wheat beer comes from a Bavarian brewery that has been around for centuries. The Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier Is fruity, light, and fragrant. And it pairs extremely well with foods like Obazda, a brie cheese spread that is a specialty of the region in Deutschland. There’s also a dark version of this wheat beer available in the market. However, it is a bit more concentrated on sweetness and associated flavors.
  • Wellbeing Heavenly Body Golden Wheat: This best non-alcoholic wheat beer comes from the Missouri region of the United States. It features 0.5 percent ABV along with tasting notes of citrus, hops, and fruit. This wheat beer variety uses Cascade and Deutsch traditional hops to add a bright citrus spirit to the palate. It ranks highly along with the best alcoholic wheat beers you can find in the market. The Wellbeing Heavenly Body Golden Wheat is a light beer and comes with only 68 calories per canister. It is a great place to start when you are keen on avoiding alcohol for some reason. But still want to explore the wheat beer category, However, a number of satisfied consumers reveal that they can’t recognize the difference between this non-alcoholic wheat beer and a regular beer. 

The Last Word

Allagash White is the best wheat beer out there for sure. And it has also been skilfully made for over 25 years now. And then there is a good reason for that staying power. The Allagash White is a complex beer with spice and citrus notes. Nonetheless, it still is an easy-drinking wheat beer that is liked by everyone coming together. 

What Can We Look Forward to In Wheat Beer

Take a good look at the different categories of beer, when you are open to having one. American breweries skilfully make wheat beer. And they also have their own versions. Including the Belgian Witbier and German Hefeweizen. You also have many different examples of wheat beer imported from other European countries as well. So grab a few bottles of each and try to see how they compare to other varieties. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What goes into the making of wheat beer?

Wheat beer is made just like regular beer. Except that it uses a large amount of wheat compared to malted barley during the brewing process. And then different strains of yeast are used for different styles. Additionally, Belgian Witbier and German Weissbier normally embody citrus and spices in the brewing procedure.

Difference Between Wheat Beer And Normal Beer

Typically, wheat beers are not very hoppy beers. They lean towards having more banana, tropical fruit, and citrus flavors on the palate. Moreover, wheat beers are usually light in color. They tend to have a nice head due to the level of carbonation and pour delightfully well into a glass mug. 

What is the average ABV content of wheat beer?

The ABV content in wheat beer varies depending on the brewery and type of wheat beer. But typically, they have a low percentage ranging between 2.5 to 5 percent ABV.

Is Wheat Beer Better than Lager?

The main difference between the two is that wheat beers are brewed with top-fermenting yeast and lagers are brewed with bottom-fermenting yeast. This gives them both a unique flavor profile. Especially sour wheat beers tend to be fruitier and more flavorful while lagers are normally clean and crisp.

Wheat Beer Benefits

The health benefits associated with Wheat Beer are –

  • They help in preventing cancer if consumed moderately.
  • They are also good for keeping the heart healthy.
  • Wheat beers are also found to prevent the formation of stones in the kidneys.
  • Wheat beers are also found to strengthen bones.
  • Wheat beers are also helpful in overcoming anemia.
  • They reduce cholesterol levels as well.
  • Wheat beers help in the proper functioning of the brain.
  • Wheat beers are also good for skin, teeth, and hair health.

So, Cheers!

It is quite nice to go with Wheat Beer!