When you think of beers, most likely the first thing that comes to mind is probably something along the lines of some lager or a creamy stout. But there’s so much more to beer than that. With the growing craft beer movement, there are now more types of beer than ever before. And while some may be better than others, it doesn’t mean they don’t deserve recognition.
With that being said, let’s talk about some of the best wheat beers out there. These aren’t your typical light and fizzy options either; these are dark, complex, and very malty beers without any detectable traces of cereal grains (i.e., wheat). As such, they have a lot more to offer in terms of flavor and aroma than their lighter counterparts.
Bock
Bock is a strong, dark-colored lager that’s brewed with a lot of unmalted wheat. It’s a strong dark beer, so don’t be surprised if it’s a bit stronger than other lagers. It’s also very malty and has a slightly nutty flavor. It’s a very complex and satisfying beer, and it’s very easy to appreciate its qualities in a bottle or a glass.
The German city of Munich is famous for its strong lager, and Bock is one of its most famous varieties. Bock beers are brewed for two things: to be consumed by themselves, or as a substitute for a higher quality brand of dark German beer.
Bock beers are usually brewed in the winter, between October and January, when less decoction is required to produce a high alcohol content. It’s also worth noting that in Germany, Bock beers are generally stronger than they are in the United States. While Bock beers are popular across the world, they’re best appreciated in Germany.
Red Ale
Red ales are an excellent example of how a wheat beer can take on a very distinct beer flavor, while still maintaining the characteristic qualities of the style. These are a bit stronger than your usual pale ale, so they’re best enjoyed with food, or after a day of skiing.
There are a variety of red ales out there, but they tend to fall into one of two camps: either a strong fruity ale or a rich, dark red ale. Red ales are usually either pale red or copper in color, but can also be dark red, brown, or even black. The vast majority of red ales do not use wheat as a brewing adjunct, making them gluten-free and dairy-free.
Witbier
Witbier is a Belgian-style wheat beer that has coriander, orange peel, and other spices added during the brewing process. We’re not talking about a citrusy American-style wheat beer here; this is a very unique and flavorful beer with a lot of character. It’s a refreshing beer that’s brewed with wheat, so it’s very easy to drink, and it pairs very well with all kinds of foods.
We normally think of wheat beers as being very sweet, but witbier is a bit different. It’s a bit fruiter, with a bit more spice and a bit less sweetness than your average wheat beer. It’s a great alternative if you’re looking for something a little different.
Pilsner
A pilsner is an easy-drinking, German-style pale lager. You can think of it as the “gateway” beer for many beer drinkers, as pilsners are usually a bit lighter and less alcoholic than your typical full-bodied ale. Pilsners are generally very crisp and dry, with a very low ABV.
What sets them apart from other, sweeter wheat beers is that they don’t use any wheat in their brewing process. Instead, they’re brewed with 100% barley malt. Pilsner is a very popular beer all across the world and is a simple but delicious beer. It’s a bit lighter than a wheat beer, so it’s great for summer, and it pairs perfectly with a wide range of foods.
Pale Wheat Ale
A pale wheat ale is a bit of a change from the more typical weisswurst wheat beers on this list, but it’s a very popular beer throughout the world. It’s a light-bodied, refreshing wheat beer that uses wheat as a secondary ingredient. It’s a bit less malty than your typical wheat beer, so it’s better suited for spring and summer.
Many pale wheat ales are made with a combination of malted wheat and malted barley. They’re a bit less “wheaty” than a wheat beer with 100% wheat and are therefore gluten-free and vegan-friendly.
Amber Ale
Amber ales are sweet, malty beers that are dark in color and brewed with a significant amount of unmalted wheat. They’re quite a popular brew all over the world and are easy to find in most beer stores. Amber ales are sweet, spiced beers that are very flavorful and well-rounded.
They’re generally well-balanced, with a moderate amount of malt flavor, and a decent amount of toasted malt and caramel flavors. Wheat beers are trending in many parts of the world, but they’re less common in the U.S., and most commercial offerings are too sweet or too full of hop flavor. Amber ales are a much better choice for most people, as they’re not too heavy, but still full-flavored.
Dark wheat beer
Dark wheat beers are a bit of a departure from the other wheat beers on this list, as they’re much darker, heavier, and richer than the rest. They’re a bit more traditional in their brewing methods, using a high amount of unmalted wheat, and they’re best enjoyed after a day at the beach.
Dark wheat beers are a bit different than the other wheat beers on this list, as they’re much darker, heavier, and richer. They’re a bit more traditional in their brewing methods, using a high amount of unmalted wheat, and they’re best enjoyed after a day at the beach.
Wheat beers are trending in many parts of the world, but they’re less common in the U.S. and most commercial offerings are too sweet or too full of hop flavor. Dark wheat beers are a much better choice for most people, as they’re not too heavy, but still full-flavored.
Bottom line
Wheat beers are a great choice for those who want something with a bit more flavor and character than your typical light lager, but they aren’t for everyone.
They’re best enjoyed in spring or summer, paired with lighter foods. If you enjoy wheat beers, you can’t go wrong with these 7 weisswurst-worthy beers. And if you haven’t tried any yet, be sure to check them out.
