On those summer days when the sun is high in the sky and unleashing its brutal heat, there is one style of beer that delivers refreshment. No, it’s not the American light lager. It’s the American wheat beer.
Often hazy with a modest alcohol-by-volume (abv), these brews are known for having a citrusy, zesty profile, a touch of acidity, soft mouthfeel and being easy to drink. They are delightful summer gulpers, certainly with more character than the lagers often associated with post-yard work consumption.
Because of American wheat beer’s refreshing nature, many brewers embrace the drink’s warm weather appeal with a seasonal release. For instance, Bell’s Oberon has become a summer staple and a best seller for the brewery, which throws an annual party to celebrate its debut. But of course, other breweries offer their wheat beers all year.
However, no matter when it’s released, wheat beers are known for being “approachable, drinkable, balanced and perfect for the entry-level craft beer drinker,” says Brendan McGivney, chief operating officer of Odell Brewing Co. in Fort Collins, Colorado, which introduced its Easy Street Wheat in 1991.
“It’s withstood the test of time in terms of its appeal to a broader customer base,” McGivney says. “There is only so far a lager can go, and not everyone wants an IPA or a stout, but for easy drinking, it’s a little more intense on the flavor spectrum.”
Here’s everything to know about this expansive style of beer.
What Is Wheat Beer?
Wheat beer is an ale or lager that has a substantial amount of wheat in the grain bill. This allows the flavor and character of the malted wheat to be noticeable on the palate.
There are several styles that fall under the wheat beer umbrella. Two of the best-known examples are hefeweizen and witbier. The former is of German origin and best known for its phenolic yeast character, which imparts aromas and flavors of clove and banana. The latter is a Belgian-style brew often spiced with dried orange peel and coriander.
Then there’s the American wheat beer. These beers don’t use yeast or other ingredients that impart fruity or spicy aromas and flavors. Instead, they let the wheat’s flavor shine through, imparting a hint of citric acidity that contributes to this style’s signature citrus flavor. The base ingredients are largely dictated by the brewer’s interpretation of the style. However, they can use either Old and New World hops, a variety of yeast strains and even other base malts beyond wheat.
Other wheat beer styles include wheatwine, weizenbock, witbier and lichtenheiner and Berliner weisse.
Wheat Beers Get the “IPA Treatment”
Brewers all over are pushing the category’s boundaries. For instance, Lewis and Clark Brewing Co. in Helena, Montana, won bronze at the World Beer Cup this year for its wheat beer with Miner’s Gold Hefeweizen. Owner and brewer Max Pigman says that it’s a top seller, so much so that he’s begun adding fruit to it to even further broaden its appeal. Case in point, the operation’s Halo Huckleberry Hefeweizen, which is Miner’s Gold infused with sweet-tart huckleberries. Pigman sees the practice of adding fruit to wheat beer as a way to grow the category.
“It is interesting how the wheat beer category is definitely getting the IPA treatment. You had brewers doing the same thing with IPAs, adding pineapple and citrus,” says Pigman. “The category grew, and we’re definitely seeing that with wheat as well.”
IPA remains the top selling category in craft beer, but McGivney says that wheat ales, especially unfiltered and easy drinking ones, can have broader appeal for drinkers who want refreshment without a huge dose of hops.
“Everybody’s used to seeing a cloudy beer in their glass these days, but maybe not everybody wants that hop character,” says McGivney. “A wheat beer has more flavor than just an empty light macro lager. It has just the right amount of balance and refreshment that folks are looking for.”
Stephens echoes this sentiment, adding, “There’s lots of room to be creative.”
Without further ado, here are some of the best wheat beers—across a spectrum of styles—to drink right now.
Our Favorite Wheat Beers Right Now
Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat (Wheat ale; Boulevard Brewing, MO)
Pouring the color of ripe apricot and with a low head that dissipates quickly, this easy drinking ale feels like a weekend out with friends. It’s comfortable and full of nuance, has some life experience, and doesn’t hide what it is. Wheat forward, with touches of citrusy hops and a little bit of spice, it finishes with a bit of sweetness, and ready for the next round. 95 Points—Wine Enthusiast.
$12 (6-pack 12-ounce bottles) Drizly
Parish Cane Brake (Wheat Ale; Parish Brewing, LA)
With sweet and pleasant wheat aromas that meld into brioche, this soft ale goes easy on the carbonation. Brewed with cane sugar, the sweetness is earthy and restrained, with pleasant flavors of lightly toasted crystals. Pair with a hot afternoon and a cooler filled with ice. 94 Points—Wine Enthusiast.
$10 (6-pack 12-ounce bottles) Total Wine & More
The Bruery Mischief (Belgian Golden Ale; The Bruery, CA)
Boozy and hop forward, this strong golden ale has vinous qualities that come in quick and last on the palate. The earthy, waxy hops offer up some herbal pleasantness with a spicy finish. 92 Points—Wine Enthusiast.
$16 (4-pack 16-ounce cans) Total Wine & More
Wallenpaupack Lichtenhainer (Lichtenhainer; Wallenpaupack Brewing, PA)
Faint aromas of bacon are chased by a tangy yeast bite with the first sip. Refreshing and bracing, that smoked malt aroma grow slightly, like standing down wind and a good distance away from a world class pit barbeque spot. 91 Points—Wine Enthusiast.
$10 (16-ounce 4-pack) Wallenpaupack Brewing Company
Blue Moon Belgian White (Witbier; Blue Moon, CO)
Refreshing and sweet orange forward, this deep golden ale has a touch of haze and white head that fades quickly after the pour. Spicy coriander and additional citrus blossom come on mid-palate before finishing with an orange peel bitterness. 90 Points—Wine Enthusiast.
$16 (12-pack 12-ounce cans) Total Wine & More
Boulevard Tank 7 (Saison; Boulevard Brewing, MO)
The flagship of this Missouri brewery, it’s a lively well-carbonated saison that has some earthy hops, spicy pepper, and mulled citrus on the nose and palate. A full body hides the high abv well. Pair with mussels. 96 Points—Wine Enthusiast.
$14 (4-pack 16-ounce cans) Total Wine & More
Dogfish Head Sea Quench (Gose; Dogfish Head, DE)
A soft combination of vanilla and lime zest makes this a pleasing, mellow ale where citrus tartness builds over the sips but never overwhelms. This beer would be perfectly at home served cold, under the shade of a tree on a hot summer afternoon. 94 Points—Wine Enthusiast.
$19 (12-pack 12-ounce cans) Total Wine & MoreFAQs
Is Blue Moon Wheat Beer?
Yes, Blue Moon is a wheat beer. It’s produced by Molson Coors in the United States and is based on a Belgian-style wheat beer.
What Is Wheat Beer’s Average Alcohol Content?
It varies by style, but most of the common commercial examples are in the 5% to 7% abv range.
Is There Wheat in Beer?
Yes! Unless you find a gluten-free beer, most likely your brew is going to contain rye or some other type of wheat.
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All products featured here are independently selected by our team, which is comprised of experienced writers and wine tasters and overseen by editorial professionals at Wine Enthusiast headquarters. All ratings and reviews are performed blind in a controlled setting and reflect the parameters of our 100-point scale. Wine Enthusiast does not accept payment to conduct any product review, though we may earn a commission on purchases made through links on this site. Prices were accurate at the time of publication.
Last Updated: July 12, 2023
