Season’s Drinking outtakes (and intakes) continue:
What is your favorite aspect of wheat beers? What makes a
good wheat beer?
Nate Seale, (512) Brewing
There are so many varieties of wheat beers that I think it would be tough to generalize what makes them all good – it just depends on the style. The crisp refreshing styles are certainly dominant, and are probably what most people associate with the term “wheat beer”, but there are styles that are meant to be rich and filling as well.
I guess my favorite aspect of wheat beers, and one that actually does cross a lot of style-lines is the sort of rustic fullness-of-experience that many wheat beers have to offer. The visual appeal of a cloudy beer with a fluffy head, the estery aromas, the smooth mouthfeel, and in some styles the ritual rousing of the yeast all make me feel like I’m enjoying a food relic.
Will Golden, Austin Beerworks
My favorite aspect of a wheat beer is it’s effervescence, Banana, clove,and vanilla esters. These beers also have a great digestive quality to them. With the correct cell load they also appear to glow.
Jeff Young, Black Star Co-op
Wheat gives a good subtle base in American ales to showcase spices and subtle fruits.
Ben Sabel, Circle Brewing Co.
It’s the perfect brew for a hot day or not. I can’t imagine a situation where a good wheat beer isn’t always welcome.
Josh Wilson, Draught House Pub & Brewery
I really like the plastic nature of Bavarain Hefe yeast and how versatile Belgian Wit yeast are for a variety of wheat and other beers. Wheat as a grain had so much to offer beer in terms of flavor, body, head retention etc. Honestly, nearly every beer I make has some wheat in it.
Chip McElroy, Live Oak Brewing Co.
The tart, light refreshing quality. Complexity without being overwhelming.
Erik Ogershok, Real Ale Brewing Co.
I’m not a fan of American Wheat beers except Gumball Head. I like Wits and Hefeweizens. Their light and refreshing nature makes them great year round.
Jake Maddux, Thirsty Planet Brewing Co.
My favorite aspect of wheat beer is the light and crisp flavor profile. Ours in particular has a pronounced grapefruit bitterness in the finish thanks to the cascade finishing hops we use.
Amos Lowe, Uncle Billy’s
I like the yeast character the most.
