Wheatwine - Under Appreciated or Terrible?

Short's AA is released around my wife's and my anniversary...April (late I believe) This citrus/peppercorn combo is what I love about it.

 

Wu Wu Wu: You know it!

Camping last summer and a hot night drinking White Oak, Shorts WW & Harvest Dance in a row was pretty badass.

Side story: You would not believe the heartburn that drinking a Mother Funker all to yourself after those three wheatwines caused. Thanks for passing out beeradvocates (you know who you are).

 

50% wheat doesn't make it sweet, residual sugar does. A good German hefeweizen has melanoidins in it from a decoction mash, but finishes dry and crisp. Harvest dance by Boulevard is a good example of a wheatwine that isn't sweet, and neither are any of the homebrewed ones I've made or had from friends.

 

Would loooooove to try that beer. Damn. Gonna have to keep an eye out for that.

 

Are wheatwines particularly difficult to brew? Maybe THAT could be my foray into homebrewing, something I like and wouldn't age horribly when I've got two cases hanging around.

 

If you're doing extract, not too hard, but maybe not the best bet for your first batch. Bigger beers require fermentation temperature control, pitching the proper amount of yeast and a good deal of oxygenation, all of which are things you'll probably have a little trouble with your first 2 or 3 batches. IIRC my third batch was a 12% RIS that turned out great, so once you have one or two under your belt, go for it. A nice milk stout or foreign extra stout would be a good first batch that could stand up to some extended time in bottles, as opposed to an IPA or Pale.

 

Good to know. Wheatwines are definitely something I'd like to try brewing in the future, though.

 

Rye-on-Rye is divine!

I enjoy wheatwines as well. Harvest Dance, Pilgrim's Dole, Nemesis 09 were all excellent examples of an underrepresented style.

 

On the subject of 13 as either a wheatstone or DIPA I agree with you. Furthermore, i think we both agree that 13 was a wicked brew and ithaca should consider making more. It was just awesome!!!

 

I'm glad someone who actually tried both at the same time said that. I couldn't remember exactly how the 2011 Harvest Dance tasted since it's been so long, but I did have the sensation that the 2012 version was so much more... active. Brighter is a good way of putting it. The Costco here in Kansas City was selling the 2012 version for cheap-o, so I bought a few bottles and I'm going to cellar one for a year and see what happens.

 

Is Boogoop the only Buckwheat-Wine out there?

LOVE Buckwheat.

 

Oh hell yes. It's a shame that it won't (I'm assuming) be brewed again. It was one of my favorite beers, like top-five easily, of 2011. 2011? Was it that long ago? I guess so.

 

Spot on. Honestly, I miss the days that I could boast ithaca as one of the best breweries to put out beers like 13. I'm sure they will give this type of innovation another try soon (I hope).

 

Me too, I know exactly what you mean. Here's hopin'.

 

Actually, looking back through a conversation lovindahops and I had about Ithaca 13, these are my exact words regarding it's stylistic listing here on BA (and my love for it):

"If they put that into 16oz cans for whatever unbelievable reason (I know they never would), it'd be my second choice after Heady, if I could choose from basically any beer I've had in the last couple of years. I love it that much. Wheatwine my ass, it's a D-Wheat-IPA and kills most of what else is out there on the field, too."

To be fair, I've only had it on tap and the Sorachi / Citra dry-hopping really pops when it's fresh-fresh. Or was.

 

Well, I have only had maybe a handful of wheat wines (or rye wines for that matter) so I voted barleywine, but with that being said, I'v loved all of the ones I've had. Bull and Bush makes an excellent one in Denver, and I've had Boulevard's, and also Short's, which I remember having pepper and blood oranges. It was a standout at the GABF a few years ago. I would love to try more.

I would def. say that wheat wine is underappreciated, but its one of those styles that isn't mainstream, and I doubt you'll ever see a ton of them out there. But, who knows what the new trends could be in craft brewing....

 

I totally +1 the BB Pilgrim's Dole, I just threw down a 2010 bottle of this a month or so ago and it was unreal.

 

Ya wheat wines hardly ever come up when people are talking about cellarable brews, but they hold up just as well as barleywines. I am excited to see how my harvest dance does after a few years; that grape juice should be interesting as it develops.

 

Being that the style originated in Sacramento, I should be a fan due to homerism. However, I have yet to find one that I crave. Maybe one day.

 

terrapin's Gamma Ray Honey Wheatwine Ale was amazing, shitty ill never see it again, and i dont see many wheatwines on my shelves here. i need to do something about that. i think its a style that doesnt really get the attention it deserves, and its a great style for softer palates.