Wheat beer is a top-fermented beer brewed with a significant amount of wheat compared to barley malt. It typically has a cloudy appearance and a characteristic banana-like spicy flavor, with an alcohol content similar to other beers.
Types and styles
The two main varieties are German Weizenbier and Belgian Witbier. Other types include lambic, Berliner Weisse (sour, cloudy beer), and gose (sour, salty beer). Common styles include Hefeweizen (cloudy with yeast), Dunkelweizen (dark wheat beer), Kristallweizen (filtered wheat beer), and Weizenbock (strong wheat beer). Belgian Witbier uses unmalted wheat, coriander, and orange peel.
How it is served
Wheat beer is traditionally served in tall, slender glasses to allow bubbles to rise slowly, keeping the beer fresh. The glasses have a narrow middle, wide spherical top, and heavy bottom for stability. They are rinsed in cold water before serving to control the foam development. Wheat beer is served chilled but not too cold to allow its complex flavors to develop, with recommended temperatures ranging from 7-10°C depending on the specific style.
Adapted from the Russian Wikipedia article Пшеничное пиво, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Kinds of wheat beer
Well-known brands
- Don de Dieu (Canada)