Is the American Pale Wheat Ale dying?

At this point, I doubt brewers are trying to make a beer like Oberon with hopes of it becoming another Oberon. I would imagine that those roles are already cast. On the other hand, the question can be: “Are there any brewers working on new ‘American wheat ales’ that won’t taste like IPAs?”

 

Please do. American Pale Wheat Ales are disgusting.
This comes from someone who loves Hefeweizen's, Witbiers, and most other wheat beers.

But the American Pale Wheat Ale brings everything bad about the different styles without trying to bring anything of it's own to add to the party.

Boulevards Unfiltered Wheat in particular tastes like pissed on hay.
My wife first pointed it out and I can't taste anything else and everyone I've pointed it out to has agreed with us (probably only about 5 people granted).

But in my area I don't think that they are really dying out. Every brewery of course doesn't have one but many new breweries do. Even if they call their beers a hefeweizen or Witbier they aren't fooling me.

 

As long as I can continue to find fresh Modern Times Fortunate Islands, my needs in this area are met.

 

Hopefully.

Yeah but have you ever had NEW ENGLAND style Pissed on Hay?

Or Double Pissed on Hay?


But seriously, for me this style has always been more a poor attempt at a Hefe than a good style. Or, as has been stated, another vehicle for hops. See Lagunitas Lil' Sumpin' Sumpin'.

 

Exactly....

 

Agreed. I recognize the American Pale Wheat as a distinct style, but I personally find it to be a very uninteresting style. On the non-hoppy end of the spectrum, I'd rather have a German Hefeweizen. On the hoppy end of the spectrum there's little difference between Pale Ales and IPAs, so what's the point? I think the the problem is the clean tasting American yeasts, which are great for showcasing hops, but when the hops aren't there it's boring compared to the yeast-derived flavors weizens, saisons, or Belgian wits.

 

I know of at least 10 breweries in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex that have American Pale Wheat Ales. (Well a couple say hefeweizen but add fruit puree or something like that).

Then there are probably 3 or 4 more that seem to be trying to do an actual Hefeweizen or Wit but fall so short of the mark that I personally have to consider them American Pale Wheat Ales.

But there are a couple that are really good. Bankhead Brewing for one. Obviously they won a medal at GABF for their Hefe and I would not have argued when I went there recently.

 

A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' is damn tasty!

 

I love Chasing Rabbits by BBCO, but..... definitely a hop vehicle.

 

I really enjoy Montauk's Summer Ale which uses some wheat and isn't hopped up. Perfect for warm weather and having a few without overpowering your mouth. There's definitely a place and a market for Oberon types.

 

Excluding the hop-forward examples like A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' and Fortunate Islands, the only ones I can recall ever having are Oberon and Tröegs Dreamweaver. The latter is categorized as a hefeweizen by the brewery and here, but from what I recall of it (had it once years ago), it was closer to an APWA. I like Oberon and have bought it a few times, but I'd rather just drink a Weihenstephaner hefe for a summer wheat beer fix.

 

Dreanweaver is indeed a Hefeweizen. It has notable flavors of banana and cloves.

Cheers!

 

As I said, it was years ago...back when I had a much less refined palate.

 

You indeed did.

Just wanted to set the record straight both for you and others.

Cheers!

 

I voted Yes per the question however I do not think the style is "dying" per the OPs title.
Belgian Witbier and German Hefeweizen are much more popular and hard to compete with.
Good luck finding Dark Wheat Ales.