BLANCHE 101

Beer has always been a reflection of time and place, and one of those favourite stories is the history of blanche beer, or witbier, as it’s known in Belgium. This historic Belgian wheat beer has been enjoyed for centuries, and as we prepare to release our own interpretation, it’s worth exploring its origins, decline, and remarkable revival.

Witbier, which translates to “white beer” in Flemish, owes its name to its unfiltered, cloudy appearance. The style emerged in Belgium during the Middle Ages, particularly in the Flemish region, where brewers had access to the essential ingredients: grains like wheat and oats, and exotic spices imported through the Netherlands’ extensive trade networks.

Unlike other wheat beers, which typically use only malted wheat, Belgian witbier is distinguished by the inclusion of unmalted wheat and sometimes oats or spelt. To complement the grain bill, brewers traditionally incorporated spices, with coriander seed and bitter orange peel being the most common, though other spices were also used.

For centuries, witbier was a staple in Belgian brewing, enjoyed for its light, refreshing character, balanced spice profile and sometimes even light tartness due to the production of low levels of lactic acid. However, as brewing trends evolved, the style saw a decline in popularity. The early 20th century brought a wave of golden lagers, which were clearer, crisper, and easier to mass-produce even to the smallest villages of Belgium. As a result, traditional witbier fell out of favour, and by the 1950s, the last remaining witbier brewery in Hoegaarden had closed its doors.

The story of witbier could have ended there, but one man refused to let the style fade into history. Pierre Celis, a Belgian milkman who had worked at one of the last witbier breweries in his youth, decided to bring the style back. In the 1960s, he opened a small brewery in Hoegaarden and began brewing witbier again, reviving a tradition that had nearly been lost. His beer, named Hoegaarden, quickly gained popularity and inspired a new wave of breweries to embrace the style once more.

Today, witbier is brewed and enjoyed worldwide, thanks in large part to Celis’ revival. Iconic examples like Hoegaarden and Blue Moon have introduced new audiences to this refreshing wheat beer style. In the U.S., Blue Moon even popularised the practice of serving witbier with an orange beer slice, a tradition that has since spread internationally. Similarly, in the Netherlands, some drinkers use small plastic muddlers to enhance the citrus character of their beer.

Whether you call it witbier or bière blanche, it remains a timeless classic, known for its light body, citrusy and spicy aroma, and perfect balance of flavours. As we introduce our own take on this historic style, we embrace its centuries-old heritage while giving it a modern, mid-strength twist with reduced alcohol.

Our 2.5% ABV release is a perfect example of a low alcohol beer, offering all the flavour and character of a traditional brew, with more balance and control. Whether enjoyed as it is or with a citrus garnish, witbier continues to captivate session beer lovers around the world—just as it did in the Middle Ages.

Here’s to the next chapter of witbier’s journey. Cheers.