If there is any doubt about the need for the hobby of homebrewing, try finding an example of an American Wheat Beer in your local craft beer store. I called around to a few places near me. Nobody had it in stock. Sheesh.

Welcome to another round of the Jar of Destiny homebrewing beer challenge, where we brew the random styles fate throws at us. This time, I pulled “1D American Wheat Beer” from the BJCP guidelines. It’s a style that seems to be not so popular anymore. Lucky for me, a side trip to Maine turned up some real-life inspiration at Island Park Brewing, which helped me answer the Jar’s call.

A reason to homebrew!

Lonely American Wheat Beer Recipe

This recipe is for a 5 gallon batch.

Water:
Spring water with 5 grams of gypsum

Grain Bill:
6 Pounds (2.72 kg) Rahr 2-Row Pale Malt
6 Pounds (2.72 kg) White Wheat Malt

Hops:
1 ounce (28 g) of Cascade hops – first wort hopping
1 ounce (28 g) of Cascade hops – flameout

Yeast:
1 pack of Wyeast 1010 American Wheat Yeast

Instructions:
Mash at 148°F (64.5°C ) for 60 minutes
Boil for 60 minutes
Fermented in keg for 2 weeks at room temperature

Outcomes:
Original Gravity: 1.052
Final Gravity: 1.012
ABV: 5.25%

Tasting Notes & Final Thoughts

If you’ve only brewed with barley, American Wheat is a total curveball. The 50/50 wheat blend gives it a soft, fluffy body. It’s has a Kolsch-like profile, but with a creamy wheat edge. The Idaho Cascade hops surprised us with a coconutty, floral aroma and a little apple juice note, nothing like your typical citrus-heavy Cascade punch. Flavors were grassy, with muted lemon and tangerine. Think peach without the sweetness.

What makes this beer a winner is how different it feels from the IPA crowd. It is light, intriguing, and endlessly drinkable. You know you’re not just drinking another pale ale. The wheat character and subtle yeast profile make sure of that. Would I change anything? Maybe not. Sometimes you want a beer that’s just “different,” and this one delivers. Shout out to Island Park Brewing in Winthrop, Maine for the inspiration.

Stay tuned for the 16th picks.

Brew ON!

Links To The Jar of Destiny Series Results
Check out the British Strong Ale post
Check out the Black IPA post
Check out the International Amber Lager post
Check out the Belgian Tripel post
Check out the Double IPA post
Check out the Kölsch post
Check out the English IPA post
Check out the Wood-Aged Beer post
Check out the Belgian Golden Strong Ale post
Check out the American Amber Ale post
Check out the German Pils post
Check out the Brett Beer post
Check out the Munich Helles post
Check out the Imperial Stout post
Check out the Foreign Extra Stout post
Check out the Belgian IPA post
Check out the Eisbock post
Check out the Czech Dark Lager post
Check out the California Common post
Check out the American Light Lager post
Check out the Pale Kellerbier post
Check out the Belgian Pale Ale post
Check out the Trappist Single post
Check out the Classic Style Smoked Beer post
Check out the Czech Amber Lager post
Check out the Gueuze post
Check out the Irish Stout post
Check out the Tropical Stout post
Check out the Schwarzbier post
Check out the American Wheat Beer post