Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Wheat Beers

The Singularity of Wheat

White/Wit 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

94 Samuel Adams Imperial White Ale, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 10.3% ABV (7/10)
Lightly hazy deep amber color. Bold fruity aromas of date and fig bread, caramelized apricots and spiced candied tangerine peels follow through on a round, chewy entry to a fruity-yet-dry full body with great depth, weight and intensity. Finishes with a long, mélange of dried fruits, spices and cocoa-dusted pasty notes. A delicious, big and balanced imperial wit that is great on its own or with hearty foods.

92 La Trappe Witte Trappist, Bierbrouwerij de Koningshoeren B.V. (Holland). 5.5% ABV (7/10)
Clear golden silver color. Appealing aromas of Eggs Florentine, paprika and very subtle spices follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dryish medium body with great balance and integration of flavors. Finishes with a long, refreshing, citrus, wheat cracker, grass and mineral kissed finish. A superbly crafted and delicious wit beer.

92 Blanche de Chambly, Unibroue (Canada). 5% ABV (7/10)
Minutely hazy golden color. Artfully meshed aromas of candied citrus zest, custard, baguette, coriander and nutmeg follow through on a crisp entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with shredded wheat and lemon peel notes. Finishes with a dusty crabapple, wafer, linen and wet stone-like fade. A delicious and delightful white beer.

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 Witty Ale, Chameleon Brewing Co. (WI). 5.4% ABV (7/10)
Hazy pale golden color. Bright spicy aromas of ginger, coriander, lemongrass, pink peppercorn and tangerine gum follow through on a round, soft entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with good depth and refreshing, smooth, zesty apple and spicy rye toast-accented finish. Very flavorful and refreshing.

90 Witface, Bastone Brewery (MI). 5% ABV (7/10)
Cloudy light golden yellow color. Delicate banana custard and clove aromas follow through on a supple, frothy entry to a dryish medium body with good texture and an apple skin, melon and lemon rind, husky grain and mineral-accented finish. More of a mild hefeweizen than a wit, but very nice.

89 Summer Frog Witbier, Issaquah Brewhouse (WA). 5.7% ABV (6/08)
Slightly hazy amber color. Sweet potato, peach piecrust 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 spicy toffee, shredded wheat and honeyed orange fade.

89 MOA Blanc, MOA Brewing Company (New Zealand). 5.5% ABV (7/10)
Minutely hazy golden color with a pillowy white head. Aromas of fresh bread, bell pepper frittata and mild citrus custard follow through on a soft, round entry to a dryish medium body with very good balance and elegant depth. Finishes with grass, citrus rind and mineral-like astringency and bitterness and a husky wheatberry note. A nice vibrant choice for the table.

88 Point Belgian White, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 4.76% ABV (7/10)
Hazy old gold color. Aromas of citrus and banana custard and polenta follow through on a smooth, soft entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with subtle depth and balance. Finishes with mellowly spiced, dried citrus and apple and grain-accented finish. A very drinkable and refreshing wit.

88 Blanche De Namur Witbier, Brasserie Du Bocq (Belgium). 4.5% ABV (7/10)
Lightly hazy translucent golden silver color. Interesting aromas of molasses rum cake, coriander and orange meringue follow through on a supple, frothy entry to a dryish medium body with good depth and balance. Finishes with a tangy apple skin, mineral, green peppercorn and wafer cracker-accented fade. A delicate, food friendly offering.

87 Infinite Wit, Nebraska Brewing Company (NE). 4.6% ABV (7/10)
Cloudy pale golden yellow color. Aromas of corn chowder, frittata and dried citrus and banana follow through on a supple, round entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with a crisp cracker, melon and apple skin-accented finish. A nice refreshing, lighter styled wit.

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 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 Pike Dry Wit, Pike Brewing Co. (WA). 5% ABV (7/10)
Minutely hazy pale old gold color. Bright layered aromas of frittata, coriander, citrus and dried flowers follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium body with good depth and a tart and slightly bitter, apple skin, grainy cracker and lemon rind finish.

84 Brunehaut Bio Blanche, Brasserie de Brunehaut (Belgium). 5% ABV (6/09)
Hazy straw yellow color. Aromas of Ivory soapbox, 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 White Frog Ale, Issaquah Brewhouse (WA). 5.7% ABV (7/10)
Deep old gold color. Slightly sour apple and lemon aromas have a hefty old Easter egg note and follow through on a crisp entry to a dry medium body with melon rind and muted spice notes. Finishes with a wispy, grain husk, fruit peel and floral talc-accented fade. A bit confused.

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