German Beer Guide: German Wheat Beer, Weissbier and Pilsner

What is the Reinheitsgebot?

The Reinheitsgebot, or German beer purity law, dates from 1516 and limited beer ingredients to water, barley and hops, with yeast understood once it was discovered. It shaped German brewing and is still a point of pride for many breweries.

Not every beer sold in Germany or made by German-style brewers follows the law, but the tradition explains the clean, simple character of many German beers.

Explore: Shop German beer

What is German wheat beer?

German wheat beer, called weissbier or weizen, is brewed with a large share of malted wheat, at least half the grain bill under traditional rules. It is top-fermented with a special yeast.

It is typically cloudy and golden, with a soft body and flavours of banana, clove and bubblegum that come from the yeast. A filtered version is called kristallweizen.

What is the difference between hefeweizen and weissbier?

They are closely related. Weissbier means white beer and refers to the style, and hefeweizen means yeast wheat beer, meaning the version left unfiltered with the yeast in suspension, which makes it cloudy.

In practice the words are used almost interchangeably, so check the label for the style description.

What is a pilsner?

Pilsner is a pale lager that began in Pilsen, in what is now the Czech Republic, in 1842. It is crisp and golden with a noticeable but balanced hop bitterness.

German pilsner tends to be drier and more bitter than the Czech original, with a clean finish. It is among the most widely brewed beers in the world. Read our guide to lager and imported beer for context, or browse the pilsner collection.

What other German beer styles should you know?

Helles is a soft, malty pale lager from Munich. Dunkel is dark and bready, bock is strong and malty, and doppelbock is stronger still. Kölsch is a light, fruity beer from Cologne, and altbier is a copper-coloured beer from Düsseldorf.

Each has regional traditions and a matching glass, so a German beer list is a good way to taste a range of flavours within a simple ingredient set.

How do you pour a German wheat beer?

Wheat beer is traditionally served in a tall, curved glass that shows off the colour and holds the thick head. Tilt the glass and pour slowly until about three-quarters full, then swirl the last of the bottle to stir up the yeast and pour it in.

Pouring this way releases the full flavour of an unfiltered wheat beer and builds a generous foam.

What food goes with German beer?

Wheat beer suits breakfast dishes, sausages, pretzels, seafood and light salads. Pilsner works with fried foods, schnitzel, roast chicken and spicy dishes.

Darker beers match roast pork and stews, and malty lagers go with bread, cheese and barbecue.

How should you serve and store German beer?

Serve wheat beer at about 6 to 8 degrees Celsius and pilsner at about 4 to 7. Keep bottles upright in a cool, dark place and drink them fresh.

Most German beers are made to be enjoyed within months, not years, so check the best-before date.

How do you choose a German beer?

If you like fruity and smooth, choose a wheat beer. If you like crisp and bitter, choose a pilsner. If you like malty and warming, choose a bock or dunkel.

See the current beers in our German beer collection and the wider imported beer range. We deliver insured across Australia, and an adult (18+) must sign for every delivery.

Which glass suits which German beer?

Wheat beer is served in a tall, curved glass that holds its thick head. Pilsner is served in a slim, tall glass or a tulip that keeps the bubbles and the hop aroma, and strong lagers such as bock suit a sturdy tulip or goblet.

The traditional beer stein or mug keeps a lager cold in a beer hall, but a clean, rinsed glass shows the colour and foam better at home.

How do you buy online from Doctors of Whisky?

Doctors of Whisky is a Sydney-based online bottle shop. Browse the collection, add bottles to your cart and choose PayID, bank transfer, Bitcoin or USDT at checkout; paying with Bitcoin or USDT takes 12% off.

The minimum order is $300 AUD. Orders of $1,500 AUD or more ship free by express courier, and a flat $75 AUD fee applies below that. Delivery is insured, and an adult (18+) must sign for every parcel.

How can you drink responsibly in Australia?

The Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol recommend no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than four standard drinks on any one day. A standard drink contains 10 grams of alcohol, and the label on every bottle shows the number of standard drinks.

Pace yourself, eat before and while you drink, alternate with water, and never drive after drinking. You must be 18 or over to buy alcohol.