Beer Styles
Wheat Beer
Beer style guide
Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamSuggest a correction
- Wheat Beer
- Beer • Wheat
- 4–6% ABV
- 10–25 IBU
- medium body
- low bitterness
Is this for me?
Choose this if…
- ✓You prefer approachable, low-bitterness beers.
Skip if…
- ✗You want strong hop flavour or a bitter bite.
At a Glance
4–6%ABV
10–25Bitterness
mediumBody
pale gold to amber and often hazyColour
Nutrition values are style-level estimates. Actual values vary by producer and serving size. How we calculate this →
On this page
What is Wheat Beer?
Beer family brewed with a significant wheat portion, often soft, hazy, refreshing, or yeast-driven.
Taste profile
low bitternessmedium bodyFruityBreadyWheat Beer
Sensory profile
BodyLight – Full
BitternessMild – Intense
Hop characterSubtle – Prominent
Malt / roastPale – Roasty
StrengthSession – Strong
Beginner-friendlyAcquired taste – Easy intro
- Style group: Wheat Beer
- ABV range: 4–6%
- IBU: 10–25
- medium body
- Body
- medium
- Sweetness
- low-medium
- Fruity · medium intensity — Editorially reviewed style-level flavour support derived from the existing style description and composition.
- Bready · medium intensity — Editorially reviewed style-level flavour support derived from the existing style description and composition.
Based on structured style profile and canonical flavor relationships.
How it’s made
- Method
- Brewed with a significant wheat portion; fermentation character varies from clean American wheat to yeast-driven German or Belgian styles.
- Base materials
- wheat malt, barley malt, hops, water, yeast
- Fermentation
- Top fermentation or mixed family depending on style
- Ageing
- Usually not aged; designed for freshness.
Also known as
Weissbier (openbeer_style_alias)Weisse (openbeer_style_alias)Weizen (openbeer_style_alias)
Alternatives to try
Reviewed style alternatives
- WheatBoth wheat beer styles; medium body; shared bready notes.
- WitbierBoth wheat beer styles; shared fruity notes.
- DunkelweizenBoth wheat beer styles; medium body; shared bready notes.
- BelgianSimilar sweetness (low-medium); medium body; shared fruity notes.
- Buckwheat beersBoth wheat beer styles; medium body; shared bready notes.
Style alternatives preserve drink-family context but can change sweetness, acidity, bitterness, body, aroma or alcohol range.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Wheat Beer?
- Beer family brewed with a significant wheat portion, often soft, hazy, refreshing, or yeast-driven.
- What does Wheat Beer taste like?
- Wheat Beer is often described as Fruity, Bready. Flavour intensity varies by region, producer and brewery.
- What foods pair with Wheat Beer?
- Wheat Beer is versatile at the table. Lighter styles suit seafood and salads; maltier, fuller styles complement hearty stews and grilled meats.
- When should I enjoy Wheat Beer?
- Wheat Beer suits casual social occasions, food pairings and sessions where you want a flavourful but approachable beer. The style profile makes it versatile across a range of settings.
- What beers are similar to Wheat Beer?
- If you enjoy Wheat Beer, explore other beer styles with a similar bitterness and body rating using the sensory bars as a guide. Styles with a matching profile score will feel closest in character.
- What are some popular examples of Wheat Beer?
- Many breweries produce Wheat Beer across different regions. Seek out local craft examples for fresh flavour, or look for well-reviewed commercial options widely available in bottle shops and pubs.
Last updated
Style information is approximate and can vary by producer, region and recipe.