A Bright and Refreshing Citrus Hazy Wheat Ale
By Homebrewers Mercantile Brew Team | Published June 22, 2026
Soft, hazy, and packed with fresh citrus character – this Citrus Hazy Wheat Ale layers white wheat malt, Citra, Amarillo, orange zest, coriander, and expressive wheat beer yeast into a refreshing 5-gallon summer recipe.
About the Style
American Wheat Beer is a pale, refreshing, easy-drinking ale built around wheat character, a light malt backbone, moderate carbonation, and a clean finish. It is often brighter and less yeast-driven than a traditional German wheat beer, making it a flexible base for citrus hops, fruit additions, and warm-weather recipe variations.
This Citrus Hazy Wheat Ale starts with that approachable American wheat foundation, then adds a summer twist. Citra and Amarillo hops bring citrus and tropical brightness, orange zest adds fresh peel aroma, coriander adds a subtle citrus-spice note, and LalBrew Munich Classic Wheat-Style Ale yeast contributes expressive banana and clove character. Because of that yeast choice and the citrus-spice additions, this beer is best treated as an American Wheat Beer-inspired citrus variation rather than a strict competition-style American Wheat Beer.
Recipe Overview
| Style | American Wheat Beer – Citrus / Weizen Yeast Variation |
|---|---|
| Type | All Grain |
| Batch Size | 5.0 gallons |
| Boil Size | 6.5 gallons |
| Boil Time | 60 minutes |
| End of Boil Vol | 5.5 gallons |
| Final Bottling Vol | 5 gallons |
| Fermentation | Ale, single stage with cold crash |
| Original Gravity | 1.052 |
| Final Gravity | 1.010 |
| Estimated ABV | 5.2 percent |
| Measured ABV | About 5.5 percent if OG reaches 1.052 and FG reaches 1.010 |
| IBU | 18 |
| Color | 4 SRM pale gold |
This approachable recipe delivers a soft, hazy, citrus-forward 5-gallon batch with restrained bitterness, expressive aroma, and a refreshing finish. The expected ABV is listed at 5.2 percent, while the OG and FG values calculate to about 5.5 percent if the beer finishes exactly at 1.010.
Ingredients
| Amount | Ingredient | Type or Use | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 lb | White Wheat Malt | Grain – Mash | – |
| 4 lb | 2-Row Pale Malt | Grain – Mash | – |
| 4 oz | Acidulated Malt | Grain – Mash pH adjustment | – |
| 0.5 oz | Citra | Hop – Boil bittering | 60 min |
| 0.5 oz | Citra | Hop – Boil aroma | 10 min |
| 1 oz | Amarillo | Hop – Flameout citrus burst | Flameout |
| 1 oz | Citra | Hop – Dry hop | 3 days |
| 1 pkg | LalBrew Munich Classic Wheat-Style Ale yeast | Yeast | – |
| Zest of 2 oranges | Orange Zest | Adjunct – Flameout | Flameout |
| 0.5 tsp | Coriander, lightly cracked | Adjunct – Flameout | Flameout |
The malt bill is simple and wheat-forward, with white wheat malt creating the haze, body, and soft mouthfeel. 2-Row pale malt provides a clean fermentable backbone, while a small amount of acidulated malt helps dial in mash pH. Citra and Amarillo deliver fresh citrus aroma, while orange zest and coriander add a bright finishing layer.
Mash Profile
| Total Grain Weight | 12 lb 4 oz |
|---|---|
| Strike Water | 15.5 qt at about 165°F |
| Mash Step | Single infusion at 152°F for 60 min |
| Target pH | 5.3 measured at room temperature |
| Sparge | About 16.5 qt at 168°F, or enough to collect 6.5 gallons pre-boil |
| Pre-Boil Volume | About 6.5 gallons |
| End of Boil Volume | About 5.5 gallons |
| Fermentation Temperature | 63°-77°F |
| Primary Fermentation | About 5 days, or until final gravity is stable |
| Conditioning | Cold crash 5 days, then keg or bottle |
A single-infusion mash at 152°F provides enough body to support the wheat character while still allowing the beer to finish crisp and refreshing. The high percentage of wheat helps build the soft haze and smooth mouthfeel that define this beer. The 5.3 room-temperature mash pH target keeps the pale wheat profile bright, clean, and crisp while supporting efficient conversion.
Brewing Notes
Boil: Collect about 6.5 gallons of wort before the boil and boil for 60 minutes, targeting about 6 gallons at the end of the boil. Citra provides a clean, restrained bittering charge at 60 minutes, then returns at 10 minutes to begin building citrus aroma. Amarillo at flameout adds a bright orange and tangerine lift without adding harsh bitterness.
Flameout Additions: Add the Amarillo, orange zest, and lightly cracked coriander at flameout. When zesting the oranges, avoid the white pith, which can contribute a rough bitterness. The goal is fresh citrus aroma, not heavy spice.
Fermentation: Chill to 63°-77°F and pitch LalBrew Munich Classic Wheat-Style Ale yeast. The lower end of the range keeps the profile softer and more restrained, while the upper end can bring more pronounced banana and clove character.
Dry Hop: Add 1 oz of Citra for 3 days after primary fermentation has slowed. Keep the dry hop short to preserve fresh citrus character and avoid grassy notes.
Carbonation and Serving: Cold crash for 5 days before packaging. Serve well chilled with lively carbonation. A natural haze is expected and should be left intact.
Brewer’s Tip: For a more pronounced citrus character, add 1 oz of fresh-squeezed orange juice per pint glass at serving. It transforms the pour into a liquid sunrise. Avoid filtering; the haze is part of the charm.
Why We Love It
Citrus Hazy Wheat Ale is bright without being bitter, hazy without being heavy, and expressive without becoming complicated. It has the soft body and drinkability of a wheat beer, the fresh citrus lift of modern hops, and a subtle spice note that makes each sip feel layered and refreshing.
This is an ideal beer for warm afternoons, backyard cookouts, fish tacos, citrus-marinated chicken, grilled shrimp, summer salads, and spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes. It is approachable for casual drinkers while still offering enough aroma and flavor to keep homebrewers interested.
BJCP 1D
Here are the style guidelines from the BJCP for American Wheat Beer (1D):
| Original Gravity (OG) | 1.040 – 1.055 |
|---|---|
| Final Gravity (FG) | 1.008 – 1.013 |
| ABV | 4.0 – 5.5% |
| IBU (Bitterness) | 15 – 30 |
| SRM (Color) | 3 – 6 |
| Mouthfeel | Medium-light to medium body, medium-high to high carbonation, slight creaminess optional |
| Aroma & Flavor | Grainy, bready, or doughy wheat character with low to moderate hop character and a generally clean fermentation profile |
This recipe targets OG 1.052, FG 1.010, ABV 5.2 percent, IBU about 18, and color around 4 SRM. The gravity, bitterness, alcohol, and color land within the BJCP 1D American Wheat Beer range. If calculated directly from the listed OG and FG, the measured ABV lands around 5.5 percent. The use of LalBrew Munich Classic Wheat-Style Ale yeast, orange zest, and coriander makes this a citrus-spiced Weizen yeast variation rather than a strict competition-style American Wheat Beer.
