Overview for the American Wheat Ale

The American Wheat Ale is similar to the German Hefeweizen but it has more hops and less yeast. Its color ranges straw to gold with varying clarity. Although the style typically uses less wheat than the Hefeweizen, its clean fermentation allows for a variety of wheat flavors with a complement of hops. Its feel hovers around medium or a little below with ample carbonation. The American Wheat Ale is similar to the American Blonde Ale, but utilizes Wheat instead of the typical Two-row Pale.

Style Expectations

Refreshing wheat beers that can display more hop character and less yeast character than their German cousins. A clean fermentation character allows bready, doughy, or grainy wheat flavors to be complemented by hop flavor and bitterness rather than yeast qualities.

Appearance

Usually pale yellow to gold. Clarity may range from brilliant to hazy with yeast approximating the German weissbier style of beer. Big, long-lasting white head.

Aroma

Low to moderate grainy, bready, or doughy wheat character. A light to moderate malty sweetness is acceptable. Esters can be moderate to none, although should reflect relatively neutral yeast strains; banana is inappropriate. Hop aroma may be low to moderate, and can have a citrusy, spicy, floral, or fruity character. No clove phenols.

Flavor

Light to moderately-strong bready, doughy, or grainy wheat flavor, which can linger into the finish. May have a moderate malty sweetness or finish quite dry. Low to moderate hop bitterness, which sometimes lasts into the finish. Balance is usually even, but may be slightly bitter. Low to moderate hop flavor (citrusy, spicy, floral, or fruity). Esters can be moderate to none, but should not include banana. No clove phenols. May have a slightly crisp finish.

Mouthfeel

Medium-light to medium body. Medium-high to high carbonation. Slight creaminess is optional; wheat beers sometimes have a soft, ‘fluffy’ impression.

Reviews

Passion of the Heights

American Wheat Ale  •  Florida Avenue Brewing Co.

Passion of the Heights is an American Wheat Ale by Florida Avenue Brewing Co. that’s easy drinking with citrus, hibiscus, rose, and cinnamon. Read More

Samuel Adams Summer Ale

American Wheat Ale  •  Boston Beer Company

Samuel Adams Summer Ale is an American Wheat Ale by the Boston Beer Company that blends bright citrus, wheat, and grains of paradise. Read More

Big Blue Van

American Wheat Ale  •  College Street Brewhouse & Pub

Big Blue Van is an American Wheat Ale brewed by College Street Brewhouse & Pub that blends mildly tart blueberries and wheat bread with sweet vanilla. Read More

Smooth Sail Summer Ale

American Wheat Ale  •  Heavy Seas Beer

Smooth Sail Summer Ale is an American Wheat Ale by Heavy Seas Beer that blends light lemon and orange citrus with wheat bread and honey. Read More

Oberon Ale

American Wheat Ale  •  Bell’s Brewery, Inc.

Oberon Ale is an American Wheat Ale by Bell’s Brewery that blends doughy bread with spicy clove and pepper; refreshingly tart with lemon and orange. Read More

Passion Fruit Kicker

American Wheat Ale  •  Green Flash Brewing Co.

Passion Fruit Kicker is an American Wheat Ale by Green Flash Brewing Co. that blends tart passion fruit with wheat bread malt. Read More

Pulp

American Wheat Ale  •  Civil Society Brewing Co.

Pulp is an American Wheat Ale brewed by Civil Society Brewing Co. that’s delightfully juicy, dank, and oh so refreshing. Read More

Belleview Biltmore Blueberry Vanilla Wheat

American Wheat Ale  •  Two Henrys Brewing Co.

Belleview Biltmore Blueberry Vanilla Wheat is an American Wheat Ale by Two Henrys Brewing Co. that nicely blends fruit and sweet flavors with its malt base. Read More

Blueberry Cobbler Ale

American Wheat Ale  •  Funky Buddha Brewery

Blueberry Cobbler Ale, an American Wheat Ale by Funky Buddha Brewery blends blueberry, cherry, and vanilla with a wheat base. Read More

Sea Rose

American Wheat Ale  •  Ballast Point Brewing Company

Sea Rose is an American Wheat Ale brewed by Ballast Point Brewing Company and blends puckering cherry and pomegranate with a honey wheat base. Read More

Styles

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