Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Wheat Beers

It's a Hefe Load

White Beer

Wit beer is a style of flavored wheat. It is distinctly Belgian in origin and is still very closely associated with this lowland country. Wits employ a proportion of unmalted wheat in the mash, but also have flavor added in the form of Curaçao orange peel and coriander, among other ingredients. Their appearance is marked by a hazy white precipitate and these beers generally have some sedimentation. Typically, these are very refreshing summer thirst quenchers. Their popularity in the United States is growing, with some notable examples to be found.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

96 La Grande Blanche, De Proef Brouwerij (Belgium). 7.5% ABV (6/07)
Hazy golden amber color. Orange peel, mango pudding and lychee nut aromas are gentle and attractive. A round, supple entry leads to a creamy, fruity, sweet medium-to-full body of orange, pineapple, mango, coriander and clover honeyed sourdough toast flavors. Finishes with a sweet citrus, spice, buttered bread and delicate herb fade. Very elegant and masterfully spiced.

91 Double White Belgian Style Ale, River Horse Brewery (NJ). 7.5% ABV (6/08)
Cloudy pale amber color. Orange soufflé, caramel-drizzled dried apricot and zesty coriander aromas follow though on a round, supple entry to a fruity medium-to-full body with a great interplay of sweet spice and deep dried fruit flavors. Finishes with a long, tangy orange-peach marmalade, wet grain and praline fade. Delicious and dangerously drinkable.

90 Blanche de Chambly, Unibroue (Canada). 5% ABV (6/09)
Hazy golden color with a white blanket. Spice, orange custard and egg-washed brioche aromas follow through smooth, fluffy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with nice depth and a mellow texture. Finishes with lemon, mint and praline notes. Tasty.

89 Norwegian Frolic Wit Beer, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 4.8% ABV (6/07)
Milky orange amber color with a lacy head. Vibrant orange cake and tapioca aromas are inviting and follow though to a rich frothy entry with a fruity medium-full body of orange cake, delicate spice and toasted meringue flavors. Finishes with a long fruit, citrus peel and honey fade. Thoroughly delicious, rich and very well balanced. Well done!

89 Summer Frog Witbier, Issaquah Brewhouse (OR). 5.7% ABV (6/08)
Slightly hazy amber color. Sweet potato, peach pie crust and baking spice aromas follow through on a buoyant, frothy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium with zesty accents of coriander and cinnamon bark. Finishes with a spicy toffee, shredded wheat and honeyed orange fade.

88 Scandia Ale, Summit Brewing Co. (MN). 4.8% ABV (6/07)
Cloudy golden amber color. Vibrant, almost piney, aromas of cardamom and coriander overlay a bed of honeyed banana-orange bread. A frothy entry leads to a crisp, dryish, medium-to-full body of vibrant spices, citrus peels and toasted caraway zucchini bread flavors. Finishes with a cleansing and lingering dried herb and spice fade. Very interesting in style and flavor with a ton of refreshment. Serve with Thai food.

88 White Frog Ale, Issaquah Brewhouse (OR). 5.7% ABV (6/09)
Aromas of honey-baked ham, candied ginger and cinnamon toast follow through on a round, silky entry to a dryish medium body with pine, lemon and mint nuances. Finishes with a delicate, coriander and mineral-kissed finish. Nice and gentle.

87 Blanche De Namur Witbier, Brasserie Du Bocq (Belgium). 4.5% ABV (6/07)
Hazy yellow straw color. Coriander, anise and lemon zest tart aromas. A frothy entry leads to a fruity medium-to-full body of floral bath talc, dried citrus peels, clover honey and rich spice flavors. finishes with a creamy and zesty citrus custard, buttered nuts, minty bath soap and spice fade.

85 Ommegang Witte, Brewery Ommegang (NY). 5.1% ABV (6/08)
Lightly hazy yellow gold color. Lemon-orange bread, honeyed oat and delicate spice aromas. A round entry leads to a dryish medium-to-full body of tangy honeyed lemon and orange peels, oatmeal, wet clay and faint coriander flavors. Finishes with a citrus and bitter herb, mossy earth fade. An earthy, zesty quaffer.

84 Wit, Bastone Brewery (MI). 5.6% ABV (6/07)
Very hazy sunny amber color. Bright coriander and orange peel aromas. A spritzy entry leads to a tangy medium body of sweet candied citrus, coriander, clove and pine sap flavors. Finishes with a sweet citrus and spice fade. A pleasant fruity quaffer.

84 Abbaye De Saint Martin Organic White Beer, Brasserie De Brunehaut (Belgium). 5% ABV (5/07)
Hazy yellow golden color. Lemon custard, lime zest and delicate spice mélange aromas. A frothy entry leads to a dryish medium body of nuts, baked oranges and slightly phenolic mineral flavors. Finishes with a metallic ore dust, salt and dried lemon fade.

84 Mygarden Wit, Gaslight Brewery (NJ). 5.1% ABV (6/07)
Almost clear golden amber color. Caramelized nuts, toasted pumpernickel, pine and orange marmalade aromas. A supple, round entry leads to a dryish medium body of clover honeyed dark toast, coriander and roasted nut flavors. Finishes with a fruity, wheat toast, orange zest and butter fade.

84 Wheat Ale, Upland Brewing (IN). 4.6% ABV (6/09)
Yellow color with a light mousse. Vibrant aromas of warm bread pudding, lemon curd and pine follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium body with lots of wintergreen and juniper notes and a hint of Mr. Clean. Finishes with a lemon custard Danish-like fade. Different.

84 Brunehaut Bio Blanche, Brasserie de Brunehaut (Belgium). 5% ABV (6/09)
Hazy straw yellow color. Aromas of Ivory soap box, crabapple and waxy lemon follow through on a mild entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with green pear skin and old spice notes. Finishes with a quick, dusty fade.

83 Great White Wit, Bastone Brewery (MI). 5.25% ABV (6/07)
Cloudy golden amber color. Pork rind, mint leaf and citrusy detergent aromas. A brisk entry leads to a slightly flat medium body of brown sugar, brown butter and baked citrus tart flavors with a quick, buttery spice finish. Curious.

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