Beer Styles  »  Wheat or Rye Beer

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ABV: 4 - 5.5%    IBUs: 15 - 30    SRM: 3 - 6    OG: 1.040 - 1.055    FG: 1.008 - 1.013

Refreshing wheat or rye beers that can display more hop character and less yeast character than their German cousins.

Low to moderate grainy wheat or rye character. Some malty sweetness is acceptable. Esters can be moderate to none, although should reflect American yeast strains. The clove and banana aromas common to German hefeweizens are inappropriate. Hop aroma may be low to moderate, and can have either a citrusy American or a spicy or floral noble hop character. Slight crisp sharpness is optional. No diacetyl.
Usually pale yellow to gold. Clarity may range from brilliant to hazy with yeast approximating the German hefeweizen style of beer. Big, long-lasting white head.
Light to moderately strong grainy wheat or rye flavor, which can linger into the finish. Rye versions are richer and spicier than wheat. May have a moderate malty sweetness or finish quite dry. Low to moderate hop bitterness, which sometimes lasts into the finish. Low to moderate hop flavor (citrusy American or spicy/floral noble). Esters can be moderate to none, but should not take on a German Weizen character (banana). No clove phenols, although a light spiciness from wheat or rye is acceptable. May have a slightly crisp or sharp finish. No diacetyl.
Medium-light to medium body. Medium-high to high carbonation. May have a light alcohol warmth in stronger examples.
Different variations exist, from an easy-drinking fairly sweet beer to a dry, aggressively hopped beer with a strong wheat or rye flavor. Dark versions approximating dunkelweizens (with darker, richer malt flavors in addition to the color) should be entered in the Specialty Beer category.
Clean American ale yeast, but also can be made as a lager. Large proportion of wheat malt (often 50% or more, but this isn't a legal requirement as in Germany). American or noble hops. American Rye Beers can follow the same general guidelines, substituting rye for some or all of the wheat. Other base styles (e.g., IPA, stout) with a noticeable rye character should be entered in the Specialty Beer category (23).

		Beer Name	Brewery	ABV	IBUs
	(1)	Shiner 102	Spoetzl Brewery	6.2%	14
	(0)	Spring Blonde Wheat Ale	Blue Moon Brewing Co. / Coors	5.4%	---
	(0)	422 Pale Wheat Ale	Southern Tier Brewing Co.	5.8%	---
	(0)	Shipyard Summer Ale	Shipyard Brewing Co.	4.8%	---
	(0)	UFO Hefeweizen	Harpoon Brewery	5.1%	---
	(0)	Graffiti Orange Creamsicle	7venth / Seventh Sun Brewing Co.	6.3%	---
	(0)	Stamp Act Spring Rye	Natty Greene's Brewing Co.	4.0%	12
	(0)	Edgefield Wheat	McMenamins Breweries	4.77%	---
	(0)	Wheat King Ale	Baird Brewing Co.	4.2%	---
	(1)	Hop Sun	Southern Tier Brewing Co.	5.1%	---
	(0)	Sack Time	Big Boss Brewing Co.	---	---
	(1)	Wolaver's Wildflower Wheat	Otter Creek Brewing Co.	4.25%	---
	(0)	Jack Whacker Wheat Ale	Tommyknocker Brewery	4.7%	---
	(0)	Honey Rye	Lake Placid Craft Brewing	---	---
	(0)	Harvest Hefeweizen	BJ's Restaurant & Brewery	4.9%	---
	(0)	Wry Wolf	Wild Wolf Brewing Co.	7.8%	58
	(0)	Rugbrød	The Bruery	8%	---
	(0)	Wachusett Ryde Beer	Wachusett Brewing Co.	5.0%	22
	(0)	Raspberry Wheat	Southern Tier Brewing Co.	4.9%	---
	(0)	Wahoo Wheat	Ballast Point Brewing Co.	4%	15