Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Wheat Beers

The Hazy Heroes of Summer

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 (7/11)
Deep amber color. Aromas of orange marmalade on buttered lemon scone and spicy caramelized papayas and mangos with a rich, chewy, fruity-yet-dry full body and a long, nicely balanced peach crème brûlée, coconut pie, soft herb bread, and warming peppery spice finish. A rich, delicious and satisfying mega-wit.

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 Samuel Adams White Ale, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.2% ABV (7/11)
Hazy golden amber color. Aromas of orange marmalade, spiced tea, honeysuckle, and buttery toffee with a supple, velvety dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a chewy, savory spice, roasted beet, and toast driven finish. Very plush, deftly made and food friendly.

91 Belgian Wit, Granville Island Brewing Co. (Canada) 2010 Limited Release. 5% ABV (9/10)
Hazy pale yellow gold color. Aromas of salty buttered baguette, banana cream, and delicate spice. Round and plush with a dryish medium-to-full body. Excellent balance of supple savory malt and crisp earthy hops on the long, appetizing finish. A very nice food beer.

91 Belgian Wit, Granville Island Brewing Co. (Canada) 2010 Limited Release. 5% ABV (9/10)
Hazy pale yellow gold color. Aromas of salty buttered baguette, banana cream and delicate spice. Round and plush with a dryish medium-to-full body. Excellent balance of supple savory malt and crisp earthy hops on the long, appetizing finish. A very nice food beer.

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.

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.

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.

89 Weeping Willow Wit, Mother Earth Brewing (NC). 5% ABV (7/11)
Hazy lustrous golden color. Bright spicy aromas of tangerine, coriander, and pudding reminiscent of Fruit Loops, with a supple, frothy dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and savory mint, spice, melon, cracked pepper and onion sprout-accented finish. Tasty and a good foil for Thai curries.

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.

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 White Frog Ale, Issaquah Brewhouse (WA). 5.7% ABV (7/11)
Super cloudy old gold color. Rich, pure aromas of honeyed lemon, orange, and apple jack cereal with a plush frothy, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a long honeyed sweet potato and spiced chamomile tea finish. Different, lively and fun.

88 La Perouse White, Maui Brewing Co. (HI). 5.2% ABV (7/11)
Hazy golden color. Bright aromas of spicy orange and pineapple cakes and wet linen with a supple, fruity-yet-dry medium body and a nicely integrated nut toast, coriander, kiwi and water chestnut-accented finish.

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.

87 Blanche de Chambly, Unibroue (Canada). 5% ABV (7/11)
Cloudy old gold color. Mild aromas of orange pudding, apple bread, praline, and pine cone with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and spicy, lemon pepper, mint blossom and radish sprout finish. A tasty food beer.

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 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.

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.

Add Your Comments