Beer Styles: Witbier

The Witbier style is 400 years old but died out in the 1950s. It was revivied by Pierre Celis at Hoegaarden and has become a popular, fruity summer beer. It will be hazed due to a typical malt bill of 50% unmalted wheat, pale barley and sometimes oats creating a dense white foam head.

Witbiers are usually spiced with coriander and orange peel making them spicy and citrusy. There is sometimes a light lactic sourness, adding to the refreshing citrus character. Look for crispness, a dry finish and sometimes a tartness. This is a beer garden beer for the summer season.

Featured: St Bernardus Wit by St Bernardus