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The best wheat beers include Paulaner Hefe-Weizen, Allagash White, and our Aussie favourite 4 Pines Aussie Wheat Ale. Although there’s more to wheat beer than the name would lead on. Initially popularised in Germany and Belgium, wheat beer is top-fermented from a larger-than-usual amount of malted or unmalted wheat (as opposed to malted barley). From this unique mash comes a rich texture and distinct flavour profile, which often delivers crisp notes of banana and citrus along with spicy and bready undertones. The two most common categories are German weißbier (known as Weizenbier outside of Southern Germany) and Belgian witbier, though the styles of Berliner weiße, gose, and lambic are likewise produced using notable amounts of wheat.
Given the deliciousness and distinction of wheat beer, a number of breweries outside of Germany and Belgium now offer their own interpretation. American wheat beer is practically a category unto itself by this point, even as it loosely draws from European tradition. And right here in Australia, craft breweries are using locally-sourced wheat to put their own unique spin on the beloved beer style. But enough with the education – let’s get on to the good stuff! Here are some of the best wheat beers that money can buy.
Best Wheat Beers at a Glance
Our list of the best wheat beers goes like this.
- Best wheat beer overall: Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier
- Best value-for-money: Blue Moon Belgian White
- Best for those trying for the first time: Paulaner Hefe-Weizen
- Best for those who like strong beer: Slow Lane Regal Authority 16th Century Weissbier
Now you’ve had a look at our favourites, let’s check out the complete list.
Related: We know a thing or two about beer. Want to know more? Check out our guide to all things beer.
1. Paulaner Hefe-Weizen
A tried-and-true technique called “yeast suspension” lends this wheat beer its cloudy appearance and consistent quality. Effortlessly drinkable, it’s the #1 wheat beer in Germany and also a favourite of ours. Malted grain, yeast, and the use of Herkules hops generate a creamy and fruity flavour profile, which dispenses with additional notes of clove and pepper before riding out on an effervescent finish. This ranks as our favourite for those looking to try wheat beer for the first time.
Country of origin: Germany
Style: Hefeweizen
ABV: 5.5%
Check out Paulaner Buy it here (Dan Murphy’s) Buy it here (Beer Cartel)
2. Allagash White
We think this American wheat beer puts a distinctive twist on the Belgian tradition to deliver a light-bodied texture and classic flavour profile of yeast, citrus, and spice. Maine-based brewery Allagash uses its own signature blend of coriander and Curaçao orange peel when bringing it to life, hence its complex but quintessential character. Refreshing by design but loaded with nuance, it’s become one of the most beloved wheat beers around the world and our office here at Man of Many.
Country of origin: USA
Style: Witbier
ABV: 5.2%
Check out Allagash Buy it here (Copper & Oak) Buy it here (Beer Cartel)
3. Stone and Wood The Gatherer
Australia’s own Stone and Wood brews this American-style wheat beer with watermelon, cucumber, and mint before bittering it with Galaxy hops. The end result is predictably fruity, unique, and refreshing, to the point that it just might upend your very idea of what a beer is supposed to taste like. Whilst perfectly sippable on its own, we think The Gatherer works as a terrific mixer in your next summer cocktail.
Country of origin: Australia
Style: American pale wheat
ABV: 4.2%
Buy it here (Dan Murphy’s) Buy it here (Beer Cartel)
4. Live Oak Hefeweizen
Brewed in Austin, Texas, Live Oak Hefeweizen takes cues from the Bavarian tradition with a classic flavour profile to match. Cloudy and orange-like in appearance, we love the refreshing taste of vanilla, clove, banana, and seasonal spice on the palate. Each batch is produced using traditional yeast, malted wheat, and a small amount of hops.
Country of origin: USA
Style: Hefeweizen
ABV: 5.3%
Check out Live Oak Buy it here (Drizly)
5. 4 Pines Aussie Wheat Ale
We had to throw a Sydney favourite onto our list of the best wheat beers, and what could be better than 4 Pines Aussie Wheat Ale? This beer uses homegrown wheat and fruity hops when crafting this slightly hazy ale. It eschews complex yeast character in favour of a light and refreshing taste, with fruity overtones and subtle citrus accents.
Country of origin: Australia
Style: Aussie wheat ale
ABV: 4.7%
Check out 4 Pines Buy it here (Dan Murphy’s) Buy it here (BWS)
6. Dogfish Head Namaste
What began in honour of a Belgian brewery that fell on hard times became this flagship wheat beer from Delaware-based Dogfish Head. Enticing aromas of orange slice and citrus give way to a similarly vivacious flavour profile, which brings in additional notes of clove, coriander, peppercorn, and sweet malt.
Country of origin: USA
Style: Belgian witbier
ABV: 4.8%
Check out Dogfish Head Buy it here (Drizly)
7. Blue Moon Belgian White
No one helped popularise wheat beer in the USA more than Blue Moon Brewing out of Colorado. The brewery’s traditional Belgian White remains a reliable classic even as a legion of craft competitors enters the fold and thus, a staple of any discerning beer-drinker’s fridge. Brewed with Valencia orange peel, we love the palpable citrus aromas and flavours along with a subtle sweetness. Garnish with an orange slice and get sipping. We vote Blue Moon Belgian White as the best value-for-money wheat beer on this list.
Country of origin: USA
Style: Belgian witbier
ABV: 5.4%
Check out Blue Moon Buy it here (Dan Murphy’s) Buy it here (BWS)
8. Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier
You haven’t tried the best German wheat beer until you’ve tried this one from Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan aka “The World’s Oldest Brewery” (with origins dating back to 1040). Notes of banana, clove and malted grain emanate form a frothy head of white foam before swirling over the palate in creamy waves. This is everything a wheat beer should be and more, and yes, you read banana as a tasting note.
Country of origin: Germany
Style: Hefeweizen
ABV: 5.4%
Check out Weihenstephaner Buy it here (Dan Murphy’s) Buy it here (First Choice)
9. Lindemans Lambic Beers
Lambics make up their own light and fruity sub-category of wheat beer and no one crafts them quite like Lindemans. Choose between a variety of styles – including their sour cherry-infused Kriek – and consider pairing it with spicy food or grilled meat. Now that’s refreshment!
Country of origin: Belgium
Style: Lambic
ABV: 2.5-5%
Check out Lindemans Buy it here (Liqourland) Buy it here (Beer Cartel)
10. Sierra Nevada Kellerweis
“Untamed, unfiltered, and unafraid” is how Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. describes this acclaimed wheat beer, and we tend to agree with the assessment after trying it. Crafted in the true Bavarian tradition, its hazy body of suspended yeast rides in like creamy silk and offers delicious notes of banana, clove, and spice. The brewery recommends pouring two-thirds into a good sized beer glass, swirling the remaining liquid in the bottle, and then pouring the rest before serving.
Country of origin: USA
Style: Hefeweizen
ABV: 4.8%
Check out Sierra Nevada Buy it here (Dan Murphy’s) Buy it here (Drizly)
11. Slow Lane Regal Authority 16th Century Weissbier
Aussie-based Slow Lane Brewing takes the history of Bavarian weißbier to heart with every can of this worthy sipper. Fermented for four months inside wooden barrels – just like they did in the old days – the beer soaks up living bacteria and thus imparts a naturally sour taste. If only every history lesson was this fun (and drinkable)!
Country of origin: Australia
Style: Bavarian weißbier
ABV: 6.0%
Check out Slow Lane Buy it here (Copper & Oak) Buy it here (Beer Cartel)
12. Matilda Bay Aussie Wheat Ale
Here’s another Australian brewery that uses native wheat and carefully chosen hops to distinguish its wheat beer from its standard German or Belgian counterparts. The resulting suds are lively in taste and colour alike, with notes of citrus orange, a light bitterness, and a crisp finish.
Country of origin: Australia
Style: Aussie wheat ale
ABV: 4.5%
13. WellBeing Heavenly Body Golden Wheat
The folks at Missouri-based Wellbeing Brewing are looking out for your well-being with this low-alcohol wheat beer. Based on an award-winning recipe, it goes big on flavour and mouthfeel but is light on the booze (as in 0.2% ABV). The use of both Cascade and German Traditional hops imparts a subtle citrus character.
Country of origin: USA
Style: Low-alcohol wheat beer
ABV: 0.2%
Check out WellBeing Buy it here (Craftzero) Buy it here (Dan Murphy’s)
14. Franziskaner Hefe Weissbier
Effervescent, cloudy, spicy, and fruity, this beloved hefeweizen hits all the right notes. Pair it with seafood or a tangy cheese and expect signature flavour with every smooth sip.
Country of origin: Germany
Style: Hefeweizen
ABV: 5.0%
Buy it here (Dan Murphy’s) Buy it here (Beer Cartel)
How Man of Many Chose The Best Wheat Beers
To determine the best wheat beers, the Man of Many team relied on personal tastings, expert opinions, and customer reviews. We then collated the information together and assessed the results based on factors such as overall flavour profile, reader ratings, and commercial availability.
What’s Special About Wheat Beer?
When German wheat beer is bottle-conditioned and unfiltered with the potential for sediment, it’s generally known as Hefeweißbier aka hefeweizen. When the same beer is filtered and thus cleared of sediment, it’s known as Kristallweißbier aka kristallweizen. Then we have Dunkles weißbier aka dunkelweizen, which is a dark wheat beer, and also Weizenbock, a German wheat beer that’s made in the bock tradition. Amongst these sub-groups, hefeweizen is far and away the most popular and well-known around the world.
Interested in more beer and wheat related stories? Here are a few more to get you started:
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Wheat Beer FAQs
Germany has been crafting wheat beer for centuries, which is why it continues to make some of the best wheat beers in the world.
Hoegaarden and Lindemans are two of the best wheat beer brands actually based in Belgium. However, a number of quality breweries around the world also produce Belgian-style wheat beer.
Adding a slice of lemon or orange to your wheat beer can help reduce foam and also bring out the beer's citrus flavours.
