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Smooth Beer for Summertime!May 10 '01 (Updated Oct 28 '06) Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Wheat beer is lighter and more highly carbonated, making it a great summer companion.
Known for its thirst- quenching characteristics and lighter body, wheat beer is popular as a summertime beverage. It was once considered out of style to drink this type of beer, but its popularity is growing. The effervescence of wheat beer and the light, refreshing taste have helped increase its popularity. Many craft brewers have rushed to the scene, creating wheat beer as a summer seasonal, to capture this growing market. History of Wheat Beer: Wheat beer has been brewed since ancient times. But wheat beer, as we know it today, was first brewed in Germany. In 1520, Hans Sigismund of Degenberg was granted exclusive rights to brew wheat beer for the Bavarian region of Germany. In 1567, the brewing of wheat beer was outlawed. Duke Maximillian was able to supercede this law, however, because he was royalty. This gave the Duke a monopoly in wheat beer production. Gradually, this right to brew was extended to more and more brewers, provided that they were officially licensed to brew wheat beer. Today, wheat beer is still associated with the Bavarian region of Germany and this region contains the most highly- concentrated area of wheat beer drinkers in the world. Wheat beer accounts for 30% of all beer consumption in this region. Characteristics of Wheat Beer: Wheat beer is a type of ale, because it’s brewed using top- fermenting yeast. I have seen an occasional wheat beer that was brewed as a lager, but the majority are ales. This style of beer is usually brewed without much filtering, producing a hazy appearance. Wheat beer is brewed with a mixture of wheat malt and barley malt. The proportion of wheat malt typically falls in the 40% to 60% range. Hops are kept to a minimum in the brewing of wheat beer, producing a taste that is more grainy. The alcohol level in wheat beer is usually moderate, falling in the range of 4% to 6% by volume. This style is more highly- carbonated than other beers, which contributes to its popularity as a summer drink. Be careful when you pour, because the high level of carbonation can cause your glass to overflow, if you're too aggressive. In the United States, some craft- brewers produce wheat beer, but it’s still not as popular as many other styles. It’s common for brewers to enhance the flavor by adding additional flavors, like raspberry, honey, cloves, and other ingredients. It’s also common to see this style of beer served with a slice of lemon. Different Types of Wheat Beer: Wheat beers are not all the same. The German variety is the most popular. It’s referred to as “weissbier” or “weizen”, and it’s characterized by a golden color and the taste of cereal grains. Another style is “Hefeweizen” which is made with wheat and other ingredients and often has several complex flavors, like clove, banana, bubble gum, and many others. In Belgium, they brew a wheat beer that’s simply called “Belgian White” and this style is usually more yellowish in color and is characterized by a citrus aroma and a fruity taste. In the United States, wheat beer takes on many characteristics, from fruit flavor to strictly grain flavor. American brewers like to add fruit to their wheat beers, to add to the flavor and to make the beer more appealing to those who don't normally like beer. Not surprisingly, these fruit- flavored wheat beers are popular among women. Good Examples of Wheat Beer: You have to search a little harder to find wheat beer. Some brewers only produce this style as a summer seasonal, but there are others that are brewed year- round. Some of my favorites include Oldenberg Raspberry Wheat; Sam Adams Dark Wheat; Augustiner; Paulener Hefeweissbier; and Leinenkugel Honey Wheat. And, of course, I must make special mention of my favorite wheat beer of all, Schneider Weiss, a product of Bavaria. Final Thoughts: You won’t find many wheat beers in your local grocery store. This style is growing in popularity, but it still makes up only a few percentage points of the total beer market. Since its share is so low, it has nowhere to go but up. Wheat beer is a good change of pace from the more popular styles. It’s very good for the hot days of summer, due to its bubbly, thirst- quenching characteristics. I don’t normally like lighter beers, but I like wheat beer. The smooth, grainy, and sometimes fruity taste makes a good companion during the summer heat. I would choose a wheat beer over a light American- style lager any day. It’s the kind of beer that tastes great while your lying back on a hammock, soaking in the rays of the sun. If you haven’t tried wheat beer, go ahead and imbibe some when you get the chance. It’s a very acceptable style of beer that most anyone will enjoy! Be Sure to Click the Links Below to Read Advice on Other Beer Types: What Should You Know About Pilsner Beers What Should You Know About Blonde Beers What Should You Know about Dunkles Beers What Should You Know About Black & Tan Beers What Should You Know About Porter Beers What Should You Know About Stout Beers What Should You Know About IPA Beers What Should You Know About Bock Beers What Should You Know About Doppelbock Beers What Should You Know About Ale Beers What Should You Know About Lager Beers  |
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