Witbier
A pale, hazy wheat ale with citrus peel, coriander, and soft lactic tang. Light body, high carbonation, and refreshing spice. Compared with Weizen, it is lighter, more citrus-spiced, and less centered on banana-clove yeast character.
Defined by raw wheat haze, citrus peel and coriander spice, and soft Belgian fermentation.
ABV, IBU and colour
This section summarises the typical alcohol strength, bitterness level and colour range of Witbier within the GBI model.
Taste profile
The sensory profile below shows the typical intensity range of the 15 core flavour dimensions.
Light, hazy, refreshing, and delicately spiced, with soft wheat texture, gentle citrus brightness, and high carbonation.
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What gives Witbier its character
These structural drivers help shape its characteristic sensory profile.
- A very high wheat share strongly increases haze potential and can add some fullness to the body.
- A high priming rate contributes a strong increase in natural carbonation.
- Belgian ale yeast contributes pronounced yeast-derived aroma, commonly including fruity esters and spicy or phenolic notes.
- Pilsner malt provides a pale grain base with relatively restrained malt aroma.
- Late-boil-focused hopping shifts the emphasis away from IBU toward hop aroma, while still contributing some perceived bitterness and finish length.
- Protein-rich material contributes to haze.
History
Witbier originated in medieval Belgian brewing traditions using raw wheat and spices, declined in the early 20th century, and was revived in the 1960s in Hoegaarden, re-establishing it as a modern Belgian wheat classic.
How Witbier compares to other beer styles
This comparison shows meaningful differences in sensory ranges and style character based on the GBI data.
Witbier vs American Wheat Beer
Compared with American Wheat Beer, Witbier has:
- more hazy in appearance
- more intense yeast aroma
- more intense special aroma
- more carbonation
Other differences:
- The color range of American Wheat Beer extends to darker shades.
- Witbier can have spicy, citrus and floral hop notes. American Wheat Beer has citrus and floral hop notes.
- Witbier has doughy malt notes, while American Wheat Beer has grainy malt notes; both styles have raw Wheat malt notes.
- Witbier has estery, phenolic and spicy yeast notes. American Wheat Beer has neutral yeast notes and can have fruity yeast notes.
- Witbier uses wheat beer yeast, while American Wheat Beer uses American ale yeast.
- Witbier can use oats as a grain; both styles include wheat and barley.
- Witbier uses coriander.
- Witbier uses orange Peel.
- Witbier is bottle-conditioned.
Witbier vs Weizen
Compared with Weizen, Witbier has:
- a lighter color
- more intense special aroma
- a lighter body
Other differences:
- Witbier can have citrus, floral and spicy hop notes.
- Witbier has spicy yeast notes; both styles have estery and phenolic yeast notes.
- Witbier can use oats as a grain; both styles include wheat and barley.
- Witbier uses coriander.
- Witbier uses orange Peel.
Compare Witbier with another beer style
Choose any GBI beer style to compare sensory ranges and style character.
Want to explore the underlying data in more detail? Compare styles in the GBI Explorer →
Style details
- Origin: Belgium — Originating from Belgian brewing traditions.
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Glassware:
Tulip
— Stemmed tulip glass that concentrates aroma and supports a stable head; ideal for aromatic ales and Belgian styles.
Teku — Modern universal tasting glass designed for maximum aroma capture and sensory evaluation. - Serving: Bottle — Served from bottle.
- Conditioning: Bottle-conditioned — Naturally carbonated in the bottle.
- Aging vessel: Stainless — Aged or matured in stainless steel.
- Packaging: Bottle — Packaged in bottle.
Commercial examples of Witbier
The following commercial examples illustrate widely recognised expressions of Witbier in the market.
- Hoegaarden Wit
- St. Bernardus Wit
- Blanche de Namur
Witbier – Competition winners and medalists
Medal winners for Witbier from major beer competitions. Categories follow each competition's official classification and may include stylistically adjacent interpretations.
2026 competition results
World Beer Cup 2026
Belgian-Style Witbier
- Gold – Allagash White – Allagash Brewing Company , United States
- Silver – La Trappe Witte Trappist – Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven , Netherlands
Source: World Beer Cup ( official website )
Dutch Beer Challenge 2026
Witbier
- Gold – Wentersch Wit – Bierbrouwerij Wentersch , Netherlands
- Silver – Amsterdams Wit – Brouwerij Homeland , Netherlands
- Bronze – Great White – Stadshaven Brouwerij , Netherlands
Source: Dutch Beer Challenge ( official website )
2025 competition results 18 medalists
European Beer Star 2025
Belgian-style Witbier
- Gold – San Lorenzo – MC77 Birrificio Artigianale , Italy
- Silver – Fiordalisa – Birrificio Manerba , Italy
- Bronze – Kermesse – Beha Birrificio Agricolo Artigianale , Italy
Source: European Beer Star ( official website )
Great American Beer Festival 2025
Belgian-Style Witbier
- Gold – White Goblin – Mathews Brewing Co. , United States
- Silver – Belgian Wheat – Devils Backbone Basecamp Brewpub & Meadows , United States
- Bronze – Suntrip – New Terrain Brewing Co. , United States
Source: Great American Beer Festival ( official website )
World Beer Cup 2025
Belgian-Style Witbier
- Gold – Suntrip – New Terrain Brewing Co. , United States
- Silver – Belgian Wheat – Devils Backbone Basecamp Brewpub & Meadows , United States
- Bronze – Hoegaarden White – AB-Inbev Hoegaarden , Belgium
Source: World Beer Cup ( official website )
Dutch Beer Challenge 2025
Witbier
- Gold – Bride – Oedipus Brewing , Netherlands
- Silver – IJwit – Brouwerij 't IJ , Netherlands
- Silver – La Trappe Witte Trappist – Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven , Netherlands
- Bronze – Great White – Stadshaven Brouwerij , Netherlands
Source: Dutch Beer Challenge ( official website )
Brussels Beer Challenge 2025
Witbier
- Gold – La Trappe Witte Trappist – Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven , Netherlands
- Silver – Steenbrugge Wit – Brouwerijen Palm, De Hoorn & Rodenbach , Belgium
- Bronze – Gao Gou Craft Belgian Witbier 12°P – Gao Gou Craft Beer , China
Dubbel Wit/ Imperial White
- Silver – IJwit – Brouwerij 't IJ , Netherlands
- Bronze – Wipers Times Blond – Brouwerij Kazematten , Belgium
Source: Brussels Beer Challenge ( official website )
2024 competition results 3 medalists
European Beer Star 2024
Belgian-style Witbier
- Gold – DORA – GIUSTOSPIRITO , Italy
- Silver – St.Bernardus Wit – St.Bernardus , Belgium
- Bronze – Kermesse – Beha Birrificio Agricolo Artigianale , Italy
Source: European Beer Star ( official website )
2023 competition results 3 medalists
European Beer Star 2023
Belgian-style Witbier
- Gold – Fiordalisa – Birrificio Manerba , Italy
- Silver – Kermesse – Beha Brewing company , Italy
- Bronze – DORA – D.L.B. , Italy
Source: European Beer Star ( official website )