St. Bernardus Wit 750ML

St. Bernardus Wit 750ML is a traditional unfiltered Belgian wheat beer brewed in Watou, Belgium, at 5.5% ABV. This bottle-conditioned witbier earned a Gold medal at the 2024 World Beer Awards in the Belgian Style Witbier category and holds a 92 score on BeerAdvocate from over 1,800 ratings — placing it among the most respected examples of its style.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.5%  |  Origin: Watou, West Flanders, Belgium  |  Style: Belgian Witbier  |  Brewery: St. Bernardus

Production & Heritage

St. Bernardus Wit was developed in collaboration with the legendary Master Brewer Pierre Celis — the man credited with reviving the Hoegaarden witbier style and driving the broader resurgence of Belgian white beer beginning in the 1960s. The beer undergoes a traditional brewing process using wheat and is left unfiltered, preserving the hazy, pale-gold appearance characteristic of classic witbier. A second fermentation takes place in the bottle, contributing natural carbonation and added complexity that distinguishes it from force-carbonated wheat beers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh coriander and orange peel lead the nose, followed by sweet lemonade-like citrus and a subtle tartness reminiscent of unripe berries. Underneath, light herbal and spicy notes — particularly clove — add depth without overpowering the bright fruit character.

Taste: The entry is smooth and wheaty, with immediate impressions of lemon, orange, and a faint honeyed sweetness. The mid-palate reveals herbal-spicy coriander alongside confectioner's sugar and a whisper of white peppercorn. The mouthfeel is remarkably thick, smooth, and velvety — a richness unusual for the style that gives the beer a near-luxurious quality.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering citrus and a gentle spice fade. A subtle caramel malt sweetness persists underneath, keeping the finish balanced and inviting rather than dry.

How to Drink St. Bernardus Wit

Pour into a wide-mouthed tulip glass or traditional witbier tumbler to release the aromatic coriander and orange peel. Serve chilled between 40–45°F; the creamy wheat body benefits from a few minutes of warming in the glass. For cocktail-adjacent serves: a Wit Shandy (half wit, half fresh lemonade) plays up the citrus character naturally present in the beer; a Belgian Radler with grapefruit juice balances the honeyed sweetness with tart bite; and a Wit Mimosa — replacing champagne with this witbier alongside fresh orange juice — makes a distinctive brunch alternative that leverages the beer's inherent orange peel notes.

Best For

• Introducing craft beer drinkers to traditional Belgian witbier
• Summer entertaining where a refreshing, full-flavored beer is needed
• Gifting to fans of Belgian brewing tradition and history
• Pairing dinners featuring seafood, salads, or lighter fare

Frequently Asked Questions

What does St. Bernardus Wit taste like? St. Bernardus Wit delivers a creamy, wheat-forward body layered with fresh coriander, orange peel, lemon, and a light honeyed sweetness. The mouthfeel is notably thick and velvety for a witbier, with gentle spice from clove and white pepper.

How does St. Bernardus Wit compare to Allagash White? Both are highly regarded witbiers with citrus and coriander profiles, but St. Bernardus Wit tends toward a richer, creamier mouthfeel and a more pronounced honeyed sweetness. Allagash White, brewed in Portland, Maine, leans slightly drier and more grain-forward, making the two complementary rather than identical.

Is St. Bernardus Wit good for beginners? Its approachable 5.5% ABV, smooth wheat body, and familiar citrus-spice flavors make it an excellent entry point for anyone exploring Belgian beer styles. The lack of bitterness and gentle sweetness appeal to a wide range of palates.

Where is St. Bernardus Wit made? St. Bernardus Wit is brewed at the St. Bernardus Brewery in Watou, a small town in West Flanders, Belgium. The brewery is perhaps best known for its Trappist-style ales but produces this witbier as part of its broader range.

What foods pair well with St. Bernardus Wit? Steamed mussels with white wine broth mirror the beer's citrus and herbal notes. Grilled shrimp or lighter seafood dishes complement the creamy wheat body. Fresh goat cheese salads echo the tartness in the finish. Thai green curry benefits from the beer's sweetness cutting through spice. Lemon tarts or orange-scented desserts create a harmonious citrus pairing.

What sizes does St. Bernardus Wit come in? The 750ML bottle is the flagship large-format size, ideal for sharing; St. Bernardus Wit is also commonly available in 330ML bottles and occasionally in multi-packs.

Is St. Bernardus Wit worth the price? St. Bernardus Wit positions as a premium imported Belgian witbier, and its Gold medal at the 2024 World Beer Awards, 92-point BeerAdvocate score, and Pierre Celis pedigree provide strong justification within that tier. The 750ML format offers solid value for sharing or extended sessions.

Why St. Bernardus Wit?

Few witbiers carry a direct connection to Pierre Celis, the brewer who single-handedly revived the style from near-extinction. That collaboration is embedded in the recipe itself — a beer built on the expertise of the man who defined modern witbier. The 2024 World Beer Awards Gold medal and a 92 on BeerAdvocate confirm that the result lives up to the lineage. With its unusually rich, velvety texture, balanced citrus-spice complexity, and authentic bottle conditioning, St. Bernardus Wit stands as one of the most complete expressions of the Belgian witbier tradition available today.