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BJCP 2021 / 24A

Witbier

A refreshing, spiced, cloudy wheat beer with orange and a dry finish.

  • Drink fresh
  • standard strength
  • pale color
  • top fermented
  • western europe

Serve: 40 to 46F, Pint or goblet

OG1.120
1.044 to 1.052
FG1.030
1.008 to 1.012
IBU120
8 to 20
SRM40
2 to 4
ABV14%
4.5 to 5.5%

Taste it in order

Aroma

12 pts
  • Orange peel and coriander
  • Soft bready wheat
  • A little yeasty spice
Vague
Spicy
Better
Orange peel and coriander
Best
Moderate orange peel and light coriander aroma over soft bready wheat, faint herbal spice, no hop

Appearance

3 pts
  • Very pale straw to light gold
  • Hazy, milky
  • Dense white head
Vague
Cloudy
Better
Hazy pale gold
Best
Very pale, milky haze from wheat and yeast, dense white head that holds

Flavor

20 pts
  • Orange zest and coriander
  • Soft wheat and a slight tang
  • Light bitterness, dry, refreshing finish
Vague
Refreshing
Better
Orange and coriander, dry finish
Best
Moderate orange peel and coriander flavor, soft wheat with light tang, low bitterness, dry crisp finish

Mouthfeel

5 pts
  • Medium-light body
  • Medium-high to high carbonation
  • Creamy, soft
Vague
Light
Better
Light, soft and fizzy
Best
Medium-light body, soft and creamy, medium-high to high carbonation

Overall Impression

10 pts

Lifts it

  • Balance of spice and wheat
  • Refreshing dryness

Drops it

  • Perfumey spice
  • Harsh astringency
  • Sweetness

Writing tip

Judge how spice sits. Example: 'Orange peel and light coriander with soft wheat, dry finish. Refreshing and well balanced.'

Pour these

  • Hoegaarden Original White AleBrouwerij HoegaardenThe classic: orange and coriander over soft wheat
  • WhiteAllagash BrewingSpicy, dry and refreshing
  • WitteOmmegangLight spice, creamy body

Often confused with

Fine here

  • Estery: A faint fruitiness fits
  • Sour/Acidic: A slight tang from wheat is fine

Ruinous here

  • Phenolic: Medicinal clove-like notes
  • Astringent: Harsh grip from spices
  • Oxidized: Stale

Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.