It’s Dryish January 2025, and we’re back with another low-alcohol brew that doesn’t skimp on flavor. After exploring richer, darker beers earlier in the month, Mike changes things up with a lighter option. He has a Low ABV American Wheat Ale, a beer designed to be packed with hoppy goodness for those who crave it. This one’s all about balance: a refreshing wheat ale with a subtle malt backbone that lets the hops shine, perfect for January or a summer day.

Now, a hoppy low ABV beer.

Low ABV American Wheat Recipe

Here’s what Mike put together for this beer.

Batch Size

  • 3.5 gallons

Ingredients

  • Grain Bill:
    • 40% Brewers Malt (2 lbs)
    • 40% American White Wheat (2 lbs)
    • 20% Carapils (1 lb)
  • Hops:
    • 1 oz Cascade
    • 1 oz Ekuanot
    • 1 oz Simcoe
  • Yeast:
    • Mangrove Jack’s M66 Hophead Ale Yeast
  • Water Adjustments:
    • Half spring water, half tap water
    • Gypsum for balancing
    • Lactic acid for pH adjustment

Process

  1. Mash:
    • Mash grains at 158°F for 60 minutes.
  2. Boil:
    • Conduct a standard boil but do not add hops during the boil.
  3. No-Chill Hop Addition:
    • After the boil, let the wort cool to 195°F.
    • Add 1 oz each of Cascade, Ekuanot, and Simcoe hops.
    • Allow hops to steep overnight as the wort cools naturally (no chill method).
  4. Fermentation:
    • Transfer wort to the fermenter after overnight cooling.
    • Maintain proper fermentation conditions using Mangrove Jack’s Hophead Yeast.

Stats

  • Original Gravity (OG): 1.040
  • Final Gravity (FG): 1.011
  • ABV: 3.8%

Light, Hoppy, and Satisfying

From the first sip, this wheat ale delivers a bright hop character with notes of fruit and pine. The Cascade, Ekuanot, and Simcoe combine to create a citrusy, slightly tropical flavor without overwhelming bitterness. The Carapils malt and higher mash temp contribute to a fuller body, making it more like a typical ABV wheat beer. With an original gravity of 1.040 and a final gravity of 1.011, the beer finishes crisp and clean.

We are proud to say this hoppy wheat ale is a great addition to our Dryish January lineup. It’s light enough to keep the ABV low but offers the depth of flavor to scratch that hop itch. Whether you’re cutting back in January or looking for a summer sipper, this recipe delivers on all fronts.

Brew ON!