Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Wheat Beers

The Singularity of Wheat

Flavored Wheat Beer

Turning wheat beer into a cocktail has precedent in Europe, where alcoholic cordials or fruit syrups can be used to help beer slide down more easily. Flavored wheat ales are an increasingly popular specialty category, covering a number of flavoring options that brewers have adopted, particularly in the United States, the home of “throw-the-rule-book-away” hybrid beer styles. The two most significant additives are fruit and honey, usually employed separately. Raspberry is a common choice of fruit to flavor these styles and the best examples have faithful fruit essence and avoid any sweet cloying character. Honey can add richness to the palate and give a hint of sweetness. Herbs and spices are also encountered, but the possibilities are endless.

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

93 Blue Ridge Blueberry Wheat, Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery (NC). 4.6% ABV (7/10)
Slightly hazy pale amber color. Bright aromas of warm honeyed granola in blueberry custard follow through on a silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with great toasty depth and balance. Finishes with a long, whole grain wheat baguette, herb butter and blueberry sorbet dissolve. A delicious and artfully crafted fruity flavored brew that would be a fantastic brunch beer.

90 Grozet Gooseberry & Wheat Ale, Williams Bros. Brewing (Scotland). 5% ABV (3/10)
Bright golden yellow color. Aromas of gooseberry jam on crumpet and delicate lemongrass, juniper and lime leaf follow through on a silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with excellent depth, smoothness and attractive herbal and floral honey notes. Finishes with a spry, smooth yellow plum and grassy earth-accented fade. Very elegant, polished and flavored with an expert touch.

90 Agave Wheat Ale, Breckenridge Brewery (CO). 4.2% ABV (6/09)
Cloudy golden orange color with a mild head. Aromas of cream of wheat, honey cream and citrus jelly follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with great balance and a singing harmonious pastry-like finish. Delicious.

89 Samuel Adams LongShot Cranberry Wit, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.5% ABV (7/09)
Hazy amber color with a lingering fine mousse. Bold aromas of cinnamon apple oatmeal and chocolate covered cranberries follow through on a round, satiny entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with very good depth and lively balance. Finishes with a fruity, honeyed granola, tangy cranberry sauce and buttered toast.

89 Èphémère Apple, Unibroue (Canada). 5.5% ABV (7/10)
Bright spicy applesauce and apple blossom aromas and flavors on a delicate dry-yet-fruity medium body with excellent depth and balance. Finishes with a floral and apple and apricot-accented fade. Tasty.

89 Blueberry Wheat Ale, Marin Brewing Co. (CA). 5% ABV (6/08)
Clear golden amber color. Peppery pea pod, violet candy and blueberry taffy aromas. A soft, silky entry leads to a spicy fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body of peach and apricot cider, blueberry piecrust, dried flowers and honey flavors. Finishes with a tangy stone and berry fruit and citrus peel fade with delicate wisp of spice. A dainty and delightful fruit beer.

88 Strawberry Wheat, John Harvard’s Brew House, Framingham (MA). 4.5% ABV (7/10)
Pale golden amber color. Aromas of strawberry bubblegum and meringue follow through on a round, supple entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium with drying citrus rind, shredded wheat cracker and dried apricot notes on the crisp, nicely astringent finish. A tasty and balanced fruit flavored wheat beer.

88 Slow Eddie Jalapeno Beer, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 3.5% ABV (6/09)
Aromas of jalapeno dominate and follow through on a round, brisk entry to a dry light-to-medium body with pepper oil and vinegar notes and a brisk, giardiniera and pepper jelly-like fade. A drinkable, very approachable food friendly pepper beer.

88 Schakolad Wiezen, Blue Tractor Brewery (MI). 5.4% ABV (7/10)
Dark brown ruby meniscus. Aromas of chocolate Mexican coffee follow through on a round, crisp entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with good depth and a tangy apple and cherry skin and smoky cacao nib-accented fade. A nice zesty chocolate beer.

88 Samuel Adams Blackberry Witbier, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.5% ABV (7/10)
Clear, deep golden amber color. Bright, lightly floral dark berry and cherry sorbet aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with a touch a honeyed citrus and drying wheat crust and nut notes on the tangy finish. Tasty.

88 Rype Ale, Uinta Brewing Co. (UT). 4% ABV (7/09)
Bright golden color with a dutiful white head. Bright aromas of orange and lemon marmalade on rye toast follow through on a crisp, round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with floral dried orange blossom, tangy crabapple and bath talc notes. Finishes with a delicate, ephemeral citrus fade. Interesting and refreshing.

87 Somer Orange Honey Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.2% ABV (6/09)
Hazy old gold color with a lacy head. Aromas of frittata, orange blossom honey and toast follow through on soft, round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with good depth and a tangy balanced, mineral kissed fade. Rather mild in the flavor department, but very pleasant.

87 Long Shot Boysenberry Wheat, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.3% ABV (6/08)
Amber with a lacy white head. Rich boysenberry pie aromas follow through on round, velvety entry to a fruity medium-full body great purity, chewy caramel drizzled berry muffin-like malt and a touch of violet candy. Finishes with a floral, spicy boysenberry, blueberry skin and violet water fade. An intense and interesting berry treat.

86 Track Town Honey Orange Wheat, Eugene City Brewery (OR). 5.2% ABV (6/08)
Bright golden amber color. Orange caramel and raisin bread aromas follow through on a round entry to a fruity medium body with sweet buttercream accents. Finishes with a orange caramel nut fudge fade. A pleasant quaffer.

86 Somer Orange Honey Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 5.6% ABV (7/10)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of honeyed biscuit with a dollop of salted butter follow through on a round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with a touch of corn and banana pudding and a grassy, nut and wafer-accented finish.

86 Mana Wheat, Maui Brewing Co. (HI). 5.5% ABV (6/09)
Opaque cloudy orange color with a wispy head. Aromas of honeycomb and guava follow through on a round entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with tangy citrus peel, metal ore and shredded wheat notes. Finishes with a crisp tangy fade.

85 Wailua Wheat Ale, Kona Brewing Co. (OR). 5.2% ABV (6/09)
Golden color. Bold aromas of passion fruit follow through on a round, silky entry to a fruity medium body with good balanced and a nice dose of wet grain and wheat bread on the zippy finish.

85 Mana Wheat, Maui Brewing Co. (HI). 5% ABV (6/08)
Hazy honey gold color. Earthy herbal honey and dried pineapple aromas. A round entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body of pineapple upside down cake, floral honey, lemon verbena and tart orange marmalade flavors. Finishes with a tangy, bittersweet dried white flower, pineapple skin and dried honey fade. Curious.

81 Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.35% ABV (7/10)
Bright maraschino cherry and marzipan aromas and flavors on a dryish medium-to-full bodied palate with a cloying honeyed lemon cake and wheat grass-like hops. A bit too intense and out of balance on the candied cherry flavor.

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