Ten Ninety Half Wit 6Pk

Ten Ninety Half Wit 6Pk is a Belgian-style wheat beer (witbier) at 5.7% ABV from Ten Ninety Brewing Company in Glenview, Illinois, sold as a six-pack of 12 oz servings. Brewed with local honey alongside traditional witbier spicing, Half Wit earned an 86 on BeerAdvocate and stands as the approachable counterpart to Ten Ninety's higher-gravity Imperial Witbier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.7%  |  Origin: Glenview, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Belgian-Style Witbier  |  Brewery: Ten Ninety Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Ten Ninety Brewing Company operates out of Glenview, Illinois, a brewery known for its focus on high-gravity, flavor-forward ales. Half Wit represents their sessionable take on the classic Belgian witbier, built on a grain bill of pilsner malt, flaked wheat, and flaked barley. The brew is accented with coriander, orange peel, and locally sourced honey — that last ingredient distinguishing it from most traditional witbiers and adding a subtle sweetness to the dry, champagne-like finish. Positioned as the "little brother" to the brewery's Imperial Witbier, Half Wit keeps the aromatic complexity while dialing the ABV down for everyday drinking.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright orange citrus leads immediately, followed by fragrant coriander and a faint bready sweetness from the pilsner malt. The honey component lingers just beneath the spice, lending a gentle floral quality without dominating.

Taste: The palate opens with crisp citrus zest and biscuity malt, then transitions into a peppery coriander bite at mid-palate. Flaked wheat provides a soft, pillowy grain character while the honey rounds out the edges, keeping the beer balanced and drinkable. The overall impression is classic witbier territory — citric, spicy, and lively.

Finish: Medium-light body meets vigorous carbonation, producing a super-dry finish that reviewers have compared to champagne. Lingering coriander spice and a clean citrus echo leave the palate refreshed and ready for the next sip.

How to Drink Half Wit

Serve well-chilled in a tulip glass or standard pint to let the aromatics open up; a thin orange wheel garnish complements the existing citrus character without overwhelming it. Half Wit also works well in several beer-based drinks: a Witbier Shandy with fresh lemonade amplifies the citrus backbone; a Beer-mosa (equal parts witbier and orange juice) plays off the orange peel spicing for a brunch alternative; and a Radler with grapefruit soda underscores the dry, effervescent finish.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and warm-weather grilling sessions where a crisp, low-ABV beer keeps things going
• Introducing craft beer newcomers to Belgian-style wheat beers without overwhelming bitterness
• Pairing alongside a seafood spread — ceviche, grilled shrimp, or fish tacos
• Bringing a six-pack to a gathering as a crowd-friendly, food-versatile option

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Half Wit taste like? Half Wit delivers bright orange citrus and coriander spice over a biscuity malt base, finishing bone-dry with vigorous champagne-like carbonation. Local honey adds a subtle sweetness that rounds out the classic witbier profile.

How does Half Wit compare to Hoegaarden? Both are Belgian-style witbiers brewed with coriander and orange peel, but Half Wit incorporates local honey and tends toward a drier, crisper finish than Hoegaarden's fuller, hazier body. Reviewers have noted that Half Wit presents clearer in the glass than the trademark cloudy appearance associated with Hoegaarden.

Is Half Wit good for beginners? Half Wit is an excellent entry point into Belgian-style wheat beers — its 5.7% ABV is sessionable, and the citrus-and-spice flavor profile is approachable without any harsh bitterness or challenging funk.

Where is Half Wit made? Half Wit is brewed by Ten Ninety Brewing Company in Glenview, Illinois, a suburb on Chicago's North Shore. The brewery sources local honey as one of the key ingredients in this particular expression.

What foods pair well with Half Wit? Grilled white fish or shrimp benefits from the beer's citrus lift; a fresh caprese salad echoes its light, herbaceous quality; Thai green curry contrasts nicely with the dry carbonation; soft goat cheese mirrors the creamy wheat texture; and fish tacos with lime crema match the witbier's bright, zesty character.

What sizes does Half Wit come in? Half Wit is available in a six-pack of 12 oz servings, the standard retail format for this beer.

Is Half Wit worth the price? Half Wit positions as a craft witbier at a modest price point, offering genuine complexity — local honey, layered spicing, quality grain bill — that justifies the step up from mass-market wheat beers while remaining firmly in everyday-drinking territory.

Why Half Wit?

The addition of locally sourced honey gives Half Wit a quiet distinction that most witbiers in its price range simply don't have, adding a floral sweetness that complements rather than competes with the coriander and orange peel. An 86 on BeerAdvocate across 32 ratings confirms consistent quality and solid execution of the style. As the sessionable sibling to Ten Ninety's more intense Imperial Witbier, Half Wit demonstrates that a brewery built on big beers can exercise restraint without sacrificing character. For drinkers who want a classic, well-spiced witbier with a genuine point of difference, this six-pack delivers.