I love the creative latitude that homebrewers and craft brewers have, and the variations of brews they can create. But sometimes I am surprised at how far some can deviate from a classic style and still call it that style of beer. Am I splitting hairs, or just being a traditionalist? For instance, what constitutes a Witbier? Pils malt, unmalted wheat and oats, Curacao orange peel and crushed coriander seed. That's my opinion of what this style is. A handful of other spices may be acceptable in small quantities, and used with the requisite ingredients listed above, to add a subtle background flavor: chamomile, grains of paradise, nutmeg, ginger, peppercorns.
I have seen some recipes called Witbier that use only Pils or pale malt and malted wheat in the grist. Malted wheat has a different flavor than flaked or unmalted wheat. Raw, unmalted wheat and oats may be hard to find, and flaked wheat and oats are possibly the best substitutes. Sweet orange peel is no substitute for Curacao orange peel, also known as bitter orange peel. It adds a completely different flavor. When done right, using traditional ingredients, Witbier can be a very quaffable, refreshing brew.
I welcome your comments of agreement, disagreement or otherwise.
I have seen some recipes called Witbier that use only Pils or pale malt and malted wheat in the grist. Malted wheat has a different flavor than flaked or unmalted wheat. Raw, unmalted wheat and oats may be hard to find, and flaked wheat and oats are possibly the best substitutes. Sweet orange peel is no substitute for Curacao orange peel, also known as bitter orange peel. It adds a completely different flavor. When done right, using traditional ingredients, Witbier can be a very quaffable, refreshing brew.
I welcome your comments of agreement, disagreement or otherwise.