The onslaught of the Belgian Whites…

May 20th, 2008

For some time now large production breweries, such as Molson Coors, have been trying to tap (no pun intended) into the premium beer market. Although some have tried to purchase the smaller breweries, most have tried producing their own. One style particularly is the Belgian White or Wit.
“Witbier” or White ale is usually wheat, top-fermented beer. It gets its name from the use of suspended yeast and wheat proteins which cause the beer to look cloudy, or white, while chilly. Witbiers are flavored by means of a intermingling of spices like coriander, orange, and - of course - hops. The flavor is consequently only somewhat “hoppish,” and is incredibly refreshing in the summer.
Major producers have picked up on this refreshing style and its burgeoning female fanbase. They in turn have constructed their versions. Some examples are Molson Coors’ Blue Moon and S.A.B.Miller’s Leinenkugel Summer Wheat (Miller has a controlling interest the regional brewer from Chippewa Falls, WI) It is worth noting that seeing and tasting wheat beers from the same producers of Natural Light and MGD is really refreshing.

I recommend the Leinenkugel Summer Wheat - An notable orange taste, slightly sweet - no, it’s much sweeter and less yeasty than the traditional Hoegardeen.

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