Looking for Weizen and craft wheat beers? Discover the selection on Maltese — Hefeweizen, Kristallweizen, Dunkelweizen, and much more. Shipping in 24-48h.
Weizen: complete guide to German wheat beer
Weizen (or Weissbier, Hefeweizen) is the quintessential Bavarian wheat beer: famous for its banana and clove aromas, dense and lasting foam, and incredibly easy drinkability.
Insights from the German beer cluster
- Amore che Weiss — guide to Bavarian Weizen
- Blanche vs Weizen — how to choose between the two styles
- Märzen — the Oktoberfest lager
- Bock, Doppelbock and Eisbock — the strong German lagers
- Rauchbier — the smoked beer from Bamberg
What is Weizen?
The word Weizen means "wheat" in German. Weizenbier is brewed with at least 50% wheat malt, fermented with top-fermenting yeasts that produce the characteristic fruity and phenolic aromas.
Weizen, Weiss, Hefeweizen: what’s the difference?
- Weizen / Weizenbier: generic term for wheat beer.
- Weiss / Weissbier: "white beer" — now used as a synonym.
- Hefeweizen: unfiltered Weizen (Hefe = yeast) — cloudy, fuller-bodied, and more aromatic.
- Kristallweizen: filtered version, clearer and less aromatic.
Aroma profile and characteristics
- Appearance: opalescent golden, cloudy, abundant and lasting foam.
- Aroma: banana (esters) and clove (phenols), sometimes vanilla or light citrus notes.
- Taste: medium-light body, lively carbonation, slight final acidity.
- ABV: typically 4.5–5.5%.
- Serving temperature: 6–8°C in a tall, narrow glass (Weizen glass).
How to pronounce Weiss and Weizen?
- Weiss (Weiß): pronounced "vais".
- Weizen: pronounced "vai-tsen" (z = ts).
Franziskaner and Paulaner: classic references
- Franziskaner: intense banana and clove aromas, soft body, slightly sweet. A great starting point for those discovering the style.
- Paulaner Weissbier: slightly maltier and balanced, clean finish. Both represent classic Bavarian tradition.
Food pairings
- Light seafood (shrimp, calamari).
- Fresh and delicate cheeses (robiola, goat cheese).
- Chicken or pork with light sauces.
- Brunch and savory breakfasts.
Discover the selection of Weizen and wheat beers on Maltese → Hefeweizen, Kristallweizen, Dunkelweizen. Shipping in Italy 24-48h.
