Malt aroma & flavor
Any of bready, wheat, honey or caramel malt aroma and flavor attributes are often present. High residual malt sweetness should be present.
North American Origin Ale Styles
American-Style Wheat Wine Ale
Ale · Gold to black
What to expect
Any of bready, wheat, honey or caramel malt aroma and flavor attributes are often present.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
5+
›
Pale / strawBlack
Gold to black · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
8.5–12.2%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
45–85
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 15 · PDF page 24. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Hop aroma & flavor
Low to medium
Perceived bitterness
Medium to medium-high
Body & mouthfeel
Full
Clarity
Chill haze is acceptable at low temperatures
Color
Gold to black
Fermentation characteristics
Fruity esters are often high and balanced by a complexity of alcohols and high alcohol content. Diacetyl is usually absent in these beers but may be present at very low levels. Phenolic yeast character, sulfur, and DMS should not be present. Oxidized, stale, and aged attributes are not typical of this style.
Additional guideline notes & competition context
This style is brewed with at least 50% wheat malt.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.088-1.120 (21.1-28 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.024- 1.032 (6.1-8 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 6.7%-9.6% (8.5%-12.2%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 45- 85 • Color SRM (EBC) 5+ (10+ EBC)