Leinenkugel's Honey Weiss 12Pk

Leinenkugel's Honey Weiss 12Pk is a 4.9% ABV American wheat beer brewed with real Wisconsin clover honey, sold as a twelve-pack of 12 oz servings. This expression earned a Gold Medal at the 2002 World Beer Cup in the American-Style Wheat Beer category, along with Silver medals in 2000, 2004, and 2006 — establishing it as one of the most consistently decorated honey wheat beers in the United States.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.9%  |  Origin: Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, USA  |  Style: American Honey Wheat Beer  |  Brewery: Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company was founded in 1867 in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and remains one of the oldest continuously operating breweries in the state. Now a subsidiary of Molson Coors, the brewery produces Honey Weiss using select malted wheat, barley malt, Yakima Valley Cluster hops, and a signature addition of real Wisconsin clover honey. That clover honey sets Honey Weiss apart from standard American wheat ales — it's not a flavoring extract or artificial sweetener, but a natural ingredient that shapes both the aroma and finish of the beer.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with bready, grainy wheat malt and a waxy, floral honey character. Behind those leads sit faint banana-bread notes and a subtle earthiness from the Cluster hops.

Taste: On entry, the palate registers light, crisp grain and soft caramel malt sweetness. Mid-palate brings the honey forward — waxy and floral rather than cloying — supported by dry, earthy wheat. A restrained hop bitterness balances the sweetness and keeps things from tipping into dessert territory.

Finish: The finish is medium-short and clean, with a final spark of clover honey lingering alongside dry wheat. A slight banana-bread sweetness fades gently, leaving behind a refreshing, malt-forward close.

How to Drink Honey Weiss

Honey Weiss drinks best chilled and poured into a weizen glass, which concentrates the floral honey aroma. A lemon wedge on the rim is traditional and adds a bright citrus counterpoint to the sweetness. For beer cocktails, try a Bee Sting — Honey Weiss topped with orange juice and a splash of grenadine for a brunch-ready shandy. A Radler made with equal parts Honey Weiss and fresh lemonade amplifies the crisp wheat character on a hot afternoon. It also works in a Honey Weiss Michelada, where the beer's malt sweetness offsets the heat and acidity of hot sauce and lime.

Best For

• Stocking the cooler for a summer cookout or tailgate
• Introducing a craft-curious friend to American wheat beers
• Pairing with a casual brunch spread
• Winding down after yard work on a warm evening

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Honey Weiss taste like? Honey Weiss is a light, medium-bodied wheat beer with a sweet malty backbone, floral clover-honey notes, hints of banana bread, and a clean, slightly dry finish balanced by earthy hop bitterness.

How does Honey Weiss compare to Blue Moon Belgian White? Both are accessible American wheat beers at similar ABVs, but Honey Weiss leans on clover honey sweetness and earthy hops, while Blue Moon emphasizes coriander and Valencia orange peel for a more citrus-spice profile. Honey Weiss tends to finish drier and more malt-forward than Blue Moon's creamier body.

Is Honey Weiss good for beginners? Honey Weiss is an approachable entry point into wheat beers — the clover honey softens any sharp bitterness, and its 4.9% ABV is sessionable enough to enjoy over the course of an afternoon.

Where is Honey Weiss made? Honey Weiss is brewed by the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, a brewery that has been operating in the same small northern-Wisconsin city since 1867.

What foods pair well with Honey Weiss? Grilled bratwurst works naturally alongside the malty sweetness and earthy hops. A spinach-and-goat-cheese salad plays well against the beer's honey notes. Lemon-herb roasted chicken matches the wheat crispness. Fish tacos with mango salsa echo the beer's fruity undertones. Soft pretzels with honey mustard create an almost symbiotic pairing.

What sizes does Honey Weiss come in? The twelve-pack is the most common multi-pack format; Honey Weiss is also available in six-packs and may appear in Leinenkugel's variety packs depending on seasonal availability.

Is Honey Weiss worth the price? Honey Weiss positions as a value-tier craft-adjacent wheat beer — priced competitively with other nationally distributed wheat ales while delivering a distinctive honey character and a decorated competition record that many beers in its price range cannot match.

Why Honey Weiss?

Four World Beer Cup medals between 2000 and 2006 — including Gold in 2002 — make Honey Weiss one of the most award-recognized American wheat beers of its generation. The use of real Wisconsin clover honey, rather than an extract or artificial flavoring, gives it a legitimate claim to authenticity that separates it from imitators. Brewed with Yakima Valley Cluster hops and select malted wheat in a facility that has been running since 1867, the beer carries genuine regional heritage without demanding a specialty price. For drinkers who want a floral, lightly sweet wheat beer with proven competition credentials, Honey Weiss remains a reliable benchmark.