Wheat beer
What's the difference between German wheat beer and Belgian white beer?
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Aren’t they the same, a white beer and a weizen? Not quite. Belgian white beer is brewed with wheat and the German word for wheat is… indeed; Weizen! Of course, they are both wheat beers (in that they are made from wheat) but there are essential differences between these beer styles. Here is how to differentiate the two.
First things first, to avoid any confusion:
Bare this in mind, as the names are used interchangeably.
Simply put, weizen is German and white beer is Belgian. There are key differences between each beer style:
White beers have been brewed as early as the 14th century in Belgium. When you see a beer described as “white” eg, White IPA — that will mean that there is a decent portion of wheat in it.
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This style of beer originated in Bavaria, Germany. A Weissbier, despite its name, isn’t always white in colour; it can also be golden and dark. Weissbiers are characterised by a complex flavour and aroma with fruity notes. There are also both clear and cloudy varieties.
Well-known wheat beers are brewed by breweries such as Schneider, Paulaner, and Weihenstephan. They are a must for anyone new to the weizen scene. Erdinger is a prime example of brewing with only the finest ingredients. On The SUB, you can enjoy the Austrian Edelweiss Hefetrüb.
It is important to note that wheat beers include various substyles, with the most common being the Hefeweizen ("yeast wheat"). Notable examples include Paulaner Hefeweissbier, Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbeer, Sierra Nevada Kellerweis and Erdinger Weissbier.
White beer is best served from 3-5 degrees Celsius in a thick and sturdy glass - a Hoegaarden glass is perfect. A weizen is served slightly warmer, at a temperature of 6 to 8 degrees Celsius in a tall, narrow glass which flares outwards (think of a Paulaner or Erdinger glass). Read more about beer glasses here.
...Well, that’s up to you. These beer styles are two sides of the same coin, but which has the edge is completely a matter of taste. To learn more about how to differentiate the two, the best thing to do is start tasting.