Beer Style: Wheat Beer Family
Lindgren Craft Brewery’s Narrow Gauge Shiitake Mushroom Saison clone
This beer features what you would expect in a saison in regards to the malt and hops balance and the fruity esters and phenols derived from the saison yeast. The shiitake mushrooms provide a notable sweet white chocolate flavor and aroma that pairs very well with the yeast to create a beer like no other.
Abolitionist Ale Works’ Shenandoah Saison clone
A no-boil saison from Abolitionist Ale Works in Charles Town, West Virginia.
University of Cape Town’s Wit Restraint
This low-ABV witbier was the Best of Show winner from the 2024 Intervarsitybrew competition brewed by students at the University of Cape Town and features the unique South African hop Southern Passion in addition to the coriander and orange zest witbiers are known for.
Stressing yeast to increase phenolics
This is a great question that is perfect for a short answer. Contrary to my love of marching to my own beat, I do believe in following supplier suggestions. I would start
Solera Saison
A saison great for barrel aging and brewing time and time again when a portion of the barrel is drawn off.
Piney River Brewing Co.’s Black Walnut clone
A dark wheat ale brewed with black walnuts that contribute a nutty, fruity flavor
Second Chapter Brewing’s Witty Librarian clone
For the grain bill, Owner Richard Gibson feels that nailing down the proper ratio of wheat in the recipe adds a vital element of complexity, as well as a slight visual haze to the finished beer.
Woodstock Wheat
A beer recipe brewed with the water found from Filippini Pond on the grounds of the iconic Woodstock Music Festival from 1968.
Weizenbock
While our understanding and categorization of the German wheat beer family has evolved over the years, the acknowledgement of a strong wheat beer called weizenbock has been relatively static. Maybe that is because the prototypical weizenbock, Schneider Aventinus, is truly a world-class beer that is widely available and is well-known.
Gordon Strong’s Weizenbock
Weizenbocks will use malted wheat for at least half the grist, but there are many kinds that can be used depending on the desired color of the beer.
Brewing Wheat Beers: Tips from the Pros
Two pros with gold medals to their names for wheat beers share advice on how to get the most from wheat and avoid the common pitfalls associated with the huskless grain.
Brewing with Wheat
Wheat has long been used by brewers across the world to contribute unique flavors compared to barley, as well as adding a softness and to improve head formation and retention. Learn more about how to use this sometimes-tricky ingredient and the styles that rely heavily on it.
