Tasting of American Wheat – BJCP Category 1d

This week we’re tasking Category 1d, and our style examples are:

• Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat – 4.4% ABV 14 IBU
• Widmer Brothers Brewing Hefeweizen – 4.9% 30 IBU

On this episode we have a friend from the Homebrew Club, Kenny, on the show. Kenny and I even studied for the BJCP exams together.

Although it’s not really the same style, Kenny brought along his Watermelon Wheat beer, an homage to 21st Amendment’s “Hell or High watermelon”. It’s quite a tasty beer, and you can find the recipe here – Kenny’s Watermelon Wheat Recipe. It actually fits in category 29a Fruit Beer.

Jesse also broke out his first attempt at a Sunshine Wheat clone, and although it may not be that close to the original, it’s still delicious. You can find that recipe here – Jesse’s “Sun of a Wheat” Recipe.

As for the style, American Wheat, it’s an interesting style, basically an American twist on weissbier, and I’ve always viewed it as kind of a gateway beer for many drinkers who normally prefer the mass produced stuff. It’s not too risky or strange, and as soon as they’re hooked, they start spreading out into other craft beers. It doesn’t have any of the banana and clove flavors of German Hefeweizen or the Belgian character of a Wit, and it’s lighter in body as well.

To summarize the BJCP’s 2015 Guidelines for the category:

Overall:
– Refreshing Wheat beer
– May have more hop character than German Cousins

History:
– An American adaptation of the German weissbier style, using a cleaner yeast and more hops.
– First widely popularized by Widmer in the 1980’s

Aroma:
– Low to moderate Grainy, bready, or soft wheat character
– Light to moderate malty sweetness is acceptable
– Esters can be moderate to none
– Neutral yeast strains – banana is inappropriate
– Hop aroma may be low to moderate
– Can have citrusy, spicy, floral, or fruity character

Appearance:
– Pale yellow to gold
– Brilliant to hazy clarity
– Big long lasting white head

Flavor:
– Light to moderately strong bready, doughy or grainy wheat flavor – may linger into the finish
– Moderate malty sweetness or may finish quite dry
– Balance is usually even, but may be slightly bitter
– Low to moderate hop flavor
– Citrusy, spicy, floral, or fruity
– Esters can be moderate to none – No Banana
– No Clove
– May have a crisp finish

Mouthfeel:
– Medium light to medium body
– Medium high to medium carbonation
– Creaminess is optional
– Sometimes have a soft “fluffy” impression