BJCP 22D · Strong American Ale
Wheatwine
A strong ale with at least half wheat in the grist: bread, honey and caramel, a dense texture and alcohol warmth. No weizen banana or clove.
Wheatwine by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 8.0 – 12.0%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 30 – 60 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 6 – 14 SRM12–28 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.080 – 1.120on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.016 – 1.030on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What Wheatwine is like
A high-alcohol ale with lots of wheat, a rich texture and bready, honey and caramel flavors. The hops can range from restrained to assertive, but the grain and texture take center stage.
Appearance
Gold to deep amber, clear to somewhat hazy from the wheat. White to ivory head with moderate retention; alcohol legs in the glass.
Aroma
Wheat malt with bread, honey, caramel or toffee, some fruit and soft alcohol. Low to medium hops. It shouldn't have the banana esters or clove phenols of German wheat beers.
Flavor
Dense bready, wheaty malt with honey, caramel and some fruit, low to moderate bitterness and an off-dry to moderately sweet finish with alcohol warmth.
Mouthfeel
Medium-full to full body, a dense, slightly creamy texture from the wheat, low to moderate carbonation and obvious alcohol warmth.
Where Wheatwine comes from
It's an American craft invention from the late 20th century: a barleywine in which much of the barley is swapped for wheat. It's usually made in small batches and ages well.
Ingredients
At least 50% wheat malt, with the rest pale malt and a little caramel malt. Hops of any origin and a clean American or English ale yeast, never a weizen yeast.
Brew it yourself
How to brew Wheatwine at home
With that much wheat the lauter sticks easily: add rice hulls and recirculate slowly. Mash around 66 °C (151 °F), ferment at 18–19 °C (64–66 °F) with plenty of clean yeast and let it age for several months. The classic mistake is using a weizen yeast, which gives banana and clove and takes it out of style.
Food pairing
Goes with washed-rind cheeses, honey-roasted chicken or fruit tarts.
Glassware: tulip glass, it concentrates the aroma and holds the head.
Classic examples
- Smuttynose Wheat Wine
Frequently asked questions
How strong is Wheatwine?
Between 8.0% and 12.0% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a very high strength.
How bitter is Wheatwine?
It has 30 to 60 IBUs, a high bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is Wheatwine?
Gold to copper: 6 to 14 SRM (12 to 28 EBC).
What food pairs well with Wheatwine?
Goes with washed-rind cheeses, honey-roasted chicken or fruit tarts.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try American Barleywine, Weizenbock and English Barley Wine.
If you like Wheatwine, try these
Classification and statistics: official Wheatwine guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.