What Does Wheat Add to Beer? (And Does It Change the Colour?)

Wheat has been used in brewing for centuries, from classic Bavarian wheat beers to modern hazy pales and even stouts.

But outside of wheat beer styles, many brewers ask the same question:

What does wheat actually add to a beer — and will it change the colour?

Let’s break it down.

WHAT WHEAT ADDS TO A BREW

Better Head Retention

One of wheat’s biggest benefits is foam stability. Wheat is naturally high in proteins, which help create a thicker, longer-lasting head. Even small additions can noticeably improve head retention.

Improved Mouthfeel

Wheat can add a smoother, fuller mouthfeel without increasing sweetness.

At lower percentages it subtly enhances body and texture. At higher levels it creates that soft, creamy feel associated with wheat beers and modern styles like NEIPAs.

Natural Haze. Wheat contains more proteins than barley malt, which encourages natural haze.

This is ideal for hazy pales and IPAs, wheat beers, saisons, and farmhouse styles.

If you’re brewing a crystal-clear bitter or lager, wheat is best used sparingly.

Flavour Impact

At modest levels, wheat is very neutral. Low percentages (3–10%) have little flavour impact, while higher percentages introduce soft bready or doughy notes. Unlike crystal or dextrin malts, wheat doesn’t add sweetness — it’s more about structure.

DOES WHEAT CHANGE BEER COLOUR?

The short answer: not much at all.

Wheat malt is typically around 2.5–4 EBC, with flaked wheat often even paler.

In practice:

Pale beers stay pale.

Dark beers stay dark.

Wheat won’t deepen colour like crystal, Munich, or roasted malts.

Wheat-driven haze can make a beer appear lighter or milkier, but the actual colour remains unchanged.

HOW MUCH WHEAT SHOULD YOU USE?

3–5% – Improves head retention with minimal haze

5–10% – Better foam and smoother mouthfeel

10–20% – Noticeable haze and fuller body

30%+ – Wheat beer territory

If your goal is head retention, 5–8% wheat is often ideal.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Wheat is one of the most versatile tools in a brewer’s kit.

Used carefully, it can improve foam, enhance mouthfeel, add haze where it’s wanted, and do so without noticeably changing colour.