Brickstone Forbidden Wheat 6Pk

Brickstone Forbidden Wheat 6Pk is a 5.8% ABV unfiltered Belgian-style witbier from BrickStone Brewery in Bourbonnais, Illinois, sold in a six-pack. What sets this wheat beer apart is its triple-orange-peel addition — blood orange, sweet orange, and bitter orange — combined with coriander during the whirlpool stage, delivering a citrus complexity that goes well beyond standard witbier territory.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.8%  |  Origin: Bourbonnais, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Unfiltered Belgian-Style Witbier  |  Brewery: BrickStone Brewery

Production & Heritage

BrickStone Brewery operates out of Bourbonnais, Illinois, and has earned national recognition including a 2012 Great American Beer Festival gold medal and a 2012 World Beer Cup bronze medal for their American Pale Ale, followed by a 2013 GABF gold for their Belgo APA. Forbidden Wheat is built on a grain bill of Belgian malts and white wheat malt, hopped with noble Saaz hops. The beer is left unfiltered, preserving its characteristic haze, and during the whirlpool stage the brewers add a blend of blood orange, sweet orange, and bitter orange peels alongside coriander — a technique that infuses citrus oils and spice directly into the wort before fermentation.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh biscuit and orange peel dominate the nose, followed by subtle banana esters from the Belgian yeast. A whisper of coriander and clove rounds out the scent profile.

Taste: The entry is bright with blood orange citrus and pith, giving the beer an immediate juicy quality. Mid-palate transitions into bready wheat malt and mild lemon, while Belgian yeast esters contribute banana and a faint barnyard funk. Coriander spice threads through each sip without overwhelming the fruit character.

Finish: Clean, crisp, and moderately short with lingering citrus pith and a dry wheat cracker note. The carbonation lifts the finish and keeps the lighter body refreshing.

How to Drink Forbidden Wheat

Pour into a tulip glass or wide-mouthed goblet to release the aromatic orange oils; serving at 40–45°F allows the Belgian yeast character to emerge fully. Forbidden Wheat also serves as a flavorful base in a Wheat Beer Shandy, where its blood orange notes amplify fresh lemonade. It works well in a Beer-mosa paired with orange juice, since the triple citrus peel echoes the mixer naturally. For a savory twist, try it in a Michelada — the wheat body and citrus spice hold up against hot sauce and lime.

Best For

• Summer cookouts and outdoor gatherings where a flavorful but sessionable wheat beer fits the mood
• Introducing craft beer drinkers to Belgian-style witbiers beyond mainstream options
• Pairing with brunch spreads featuring citrus-forward dishes
• Stocking a refrigerator with a versatile, food-friendly everyday beer

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Forbidden Wheat taste like? Forbidden Wheat leads with bright blood orange citrus and pith, supported by bready wheat malt, banana esters from Belgian yeast, and a gentle coriander spice. The body is light and the finish is crisp and clean.

How does Forbidden Wheat compare to Blue Moon? Both are Belgian-style witbiers brewed with orange peel and coriander, but Forbidden Wheat uses three distinct orange varieties — blood, sweet, and bitter — which gives it a more layered citrus profile and noticeable pith character. Forbidden Wheat is also unfiltered and sits slightly higher in ABV at 5.8% compared to Blue Moon's 5.4%.

Is Forbidden Wheat good for craft beer beginners? Yes — its approachable wheat body, familiar citrus flavors, and moderate 5.8% ABV make it an easy entry point into Belgian-style ales without the intensity of higher-gravity Belgian beers.

Where is Forbidden Wheat made? Forbidden Wheat is brewed by BrickStone Brewery in Bourbonnais, Illinois, a small city in the northeastern part of the state about 60 miles south of Chicago.

What foods pair well with Forbidden Wheat? Grilled shrimp or fish tacos complement the citrus notes naturally. Light salads with vinaigrette echo the beer's acidity. Soft cheeses like chèvre mirror the creamy wheat body. Mussels steamed in white wine are a classic Belgian-style pairing. Lemon-herb roasted chicken matches the coriander and citrus peel character.

What sizes does Forbidden Wheat come in? Forbidden Wheat is commonly available in six-packs of 12 oz bottles or cans.

Is Forbidden Wheat worth the price? Forbidden Wheat positions as an accessible craft witbier that delivers more complexity than mass-market wheat beers, particularly through its triple-orange-peel technique, making it a strong value within the craft six-pack tier.

Why Forbidden Wheat?

The triple-orange-peel whirlpool addition is the defining move here — blood orange, sweet orange, and bitter orange peels layered together create a citrus dimension that single-peel witbiers simply cannot match. BrickStone Brewery has demonstrated serious brewing credibility with multiple GABF and World Beer Cup medals across their lineup. Forbidden Wheat carries over 5,100 ratings on Untappd with a 3.5 average, reflecting steady drinker approval. For anyone looking for an Illinois-brewed witbier with genuine character beyond the usual orange-and-coriander formula, this beer delivers without pretension.