Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat 12Pk

Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat 12Pk is a 12-pack of 12 oz bottles featuring a Belgian-style witbier brewed at 4.9% ABV in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. This wheat beer earned a Silver Medal at the 2006 Great American Beer Festival in the Herb and Spice category, distinguishing itself with a signature blueberry character layered over classic witbier spice.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.9%  |  Origin: Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin  |  Style: Belgian-Style Witbier  |  Brewery: Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company (est. 1867)

Production & Heritage

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company has operated continuously in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, since its founding in May 1867, making it one of the oldest breweries in the state. Sunset Wheat is brewed with malted wheat, cluster hops, natural coriander, honey, and a distinctive blueberry top-note — but what truly separates it from conventional witbiers is the use of a lager yeast strain rather than the ale yeast typical of the Belgian wit style. This fermentation choice produces a cleaner, crisper backbone that allows the fruit and spice additions to stand forward without the estery complexity that ale yeast would contribute.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a pronounced bouquet of ripe blueberry and tangerine zest, moving into softer notes of wheat grain and a hint of coriander spice. There is a bakery-like sweetness reminiscent of blueberry muffin that ties the fruit and malt together.

Taste: The entry is smooth and lightly sweet, with blueberry and orange flavors meeting on the mid-palate. As it develops, a pleasant wheat breadiness emerges alongside zesty citrus and subtle coriander warmth. The sweetness remains balanced, never cloying, supported by the clean lager yeast profile underneath.

Finish: The finish is moderate in length with a tart, citrusy close that refreshes the palate. Lingering traces of blueberry and orange zest fade cleanly, inviting the next sip.

How to Drink Sunset Wheat

Serve chilled at around 40–45°F in a tulip glass or standard pint to let the fruit aromatics open up; an orange wheel garnish accentuates the citrus character. A Sunset Shandy — mixed half-and-half with fresh lemonade — plays up the tart citrus side for warm-weather drinking. A Beermosa pairing Sunset Wheat with fresh-squeezed orange juice amplifies its natural tangerine notes into a brunch-worthy serve. A Berry Radler combining the beer with sparkling blueberry or blackberry soda leans into the fruit profile while keeping the ABV low and sessionable.

Best For

• Summer cookouts and backyard grilling sessions where a refreshing, fruit-forward beer keeps pace with the heat
• Introducing craft-curious friends to wheat beer styles beyond standard lagers
• Brunch gatherings where a lighter, fruity beer complements egg dishes and pastries
• Stocking a tailgate cooler with an approachable, crowd-friendly option

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sunset Wheat taste like? Sunset Wheat delivers prominent blueberry and orange citrus flavors over a soft wheat base, finishing with a tart, zesty snap and light coriander spice. The overall impression is often compared to a blueberry muffin with a spritz of orange zest.

How does Sunset Wheat compare to Blue Moon Belgian White? Both are Belgian-style wheat beers brewed with coriander and citrus character, but Sunset Wheat uses a lager yeast strain instead of ale yeast and adds a noticeable blueberry note that Blue Moon lacks. The result is a cleaner, fruitier profile where Blue Moon leans more toward traditional orange peel and wheat-forward flavors.

Is Sunset Wheat good for beginners? At 4.9% ABV with approachable fruit sweetness and minimal bitterness, Sunset Wheat is an accessible entry point for anyone exploring wheat beers or craft beer in general.

Where is Sunset Wheat made? Sunset Wheat is brewed by the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, a brewery that has been operating at that location since 1867.

What foods pair well with Sunset Wheat? Grilled lemon-herb chicken works well, as the citrus in the beer mirrors and lifts the herb flavors. Fresh berry salads echo the blueberry character. Fish tacos with mango salsa complement the fruit-forward profile. Soft goat cheese balances the beer's tartness with creamy richness. Blueberry pancakes or waffles make it a natural brunch companion.

What sizes does Sunset Wheat come in? This product is a 12-pack of 12 oz bottles; Leinenkugel's has also offered Sunset Wheat in 6-packs and individual bottles depending on market availability.

Is Sunset Wheat worth the price? Sunset Wheat positions in the affordable craft tier, competing directly with widely available witbiers like Blue Moon while offering a more distinctive fruit character — solid value for a GABF medal-winning wheat beer.

Why Sunset Wheat?

The unconventional choice of lager yeast in a Belgian-style witbier gives Sunset Wheat a cleaner fermentation profile than most competitors in the category, letting the blueberry and coriander additions express themselves without competing esters. Its 2006 Great American Beer Festival Silver Medal and 2006 World Beer Cup Bronze Award in the Herb and Spice category confirm the recipe's credibility among professional judges. At 4.9% ABV, it sits in a sessionable range that makes it practical for extended social drinking without sacrificing flavor depth. For anyone who finds standard witbiers too one-dimensional, the layered fruit and spice complexity here — backed by over 150 years of Leinenkugel brewing heritage — gives this wheat beer a legitimate point of difference.