Grains of Summer
American wheat beers never get much love. They are never quite a hefeweizen, never quite a wit bier. The style is vague. Any beer with more than a handful of wheat in it can be an American wheat, but that seems to be the only requirement. You can add anything else you want. As long as you brew it in the States, it’s an American wheat ale..
I’ve always thought of Widmer Hefe as the quintessential example, but Bell’s Oberon Ale may be the midwest equivalent. It has the same smooth, full body and is hopped more aggressively than any traditional European brewer would dare. It a nice summer refreshment, but indistinct. I think Hefe has a slightly sweeter flavor. But throw a lemon wedge in my Oberon and I doubt I would notice a difference.
I was looking out for Bell’s at the Total Wine. Oberon has a soft spot in my heart because it meant so much to Ziggy. Back in Michigan, the reappearance of Oberon signals the beginning of summer – like a liquid Punxsutawney Phil. I don’t have anything like that in my life. There are beers I anticipate every year, but I’ve never noticed their waxing and waning like the phases of the moon played out in the beer aisle.