Hoegaarden is the beer that saved the witbier. The style had all but died out until Pierre Celis revived it in the Belgian village of Hoegaarden in the 1960s, and this cloudy, spiced wheat beer is the direct descendant of that recipe. It is soft, citrusy and lightly spiced with coriander and orange peel, and it is still the reference point for every white ale that followed. Here is how it tastes, what goes into it, and how it holds up today.
Hoegaarden at a glance
| Style | Belgian witbier |
| ABV | 4.9% |
| Calories | Around 150 per 12 fl oz |
| Carbs | Around 13g per 12 fl oz |
| Origin | Hoegaarden, Belgium (AB InBev) |
| Ingredients | Water, wheat, barley malt, coriander, dried orange peel, hops, yeast |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Gluten free | No, it contains wheat and barley |
| Typical price | Around $9 to $12 for a 6-pack in the US. Check the button for live pricing |
How it tastes, by the numbers
Hoegaarden is built around softness and spice rather than strength or bitterness, so the wheat and aroma dials sit high and everything else stays gentle.
The full review
It pours a pale, hazy lemon-white with a thick, mousse-like head. The aroma is unmistakable witbier: sweet orange, coriander, a little lemon zest and a soft, doughy wheat note underneath. It smells fresh and inviting.
On the palate it is light, soft and slightly tart, with a gentle honey-and-wheat sweetness balanced by that citrus-and-spice character. There is almost no hop bitterness, which keeps it easy and rounded. The finish is clean and just a touch dry, leaving a faint coriander tingle.
At 4.9% ABV it is eminently sessionable, and served cold with a wedge of lemon or orange it is one of the great warm-weather beers. It is a little sweeter and softer than some of the American wits, which is part of its charm rather than a flaw.
It is brewed at scale by AB InBev now rather than by a village brewery, and purists will argue it has lost a fraction of its old edge. Even so, it remains a benchmark and one of the most reliably enjoyable wheat beers on the shelf.
The beer that brought the witbier back from the dead, and still does it justice.
- The original, style-defining witbier recipe
- Soft, citrusy and easy to drink at 4.9%
- Widely available and consistent
- Great with or without a citrus wedge
- A touch sweeter than some drinkers like
- Now a mass-produced beer rather than a craft one
- Coriander spice will not be for everyone
Who it is for
Anyone who wants to taste the beer that defines the whole white-ale category. If you like it, Allagash White is the top American take and Blue Moon is the easy supermarket option.
Hoegaarden FAQs
What does Hoegaarden taste like?
Soft and lightly tart with sweet orange, coriander spice, lemon zest and a doughy wheat base. Very little bitterness and a clean, gently dry finish.
How strong is Hoegaarden?
It is 4.9% ABV, which is easy-drinking session strength for the style.
How many calories are in Hoegaarden?
Around 150 per 12 fl oz, typical for a full-strength witbier.
Should I drink Hoegaarden with orange?
You can. A wedge of orange or lemon lifts the citrus character, though a well-kept Hoegaarden is lovely on its own.
Is Hoegaarden vegan?
Yes. It is brewed from water, wheat, barley malt, coriander, orange peel, hops and yeast with no animal products.
Is Hoegaarden gluten free?
No. It is brewed with wheat and barley, so it contains gluten.
Why is Hoegaarden cloudy?
It is an unfiltered wheat beer, so yeast and wheat proteins stay in suspension and give it its hazy, white look.
Where is Hoegaarden brewed?
In the Belgian village of Hoegaarden, where the modern recipe was revived by Pierre Celis, now under AB InBev.
Where to buy Hoegaarden
Hoegaarden is sold widely across the US and Europe, and you can have it delivered. Use the button above to check the current price.
The verdict
Hoegaarden is the beer that defines the witbier, and decades on it still delivers a soft, citrusy, spiced pint that is a pleasure to drink. It may be a shade sweeter and more industrial than it once was, but as an introduction to the style it is hard to beat. A very strong four point five out of five. Compare it with the rest in our best witbiers guide.
FAQs
What kind of beer is Hoegaarden?
Hoegaarden is a Belgian witbier, at 4.9% ABV.
How much alcohol is in Hoegaarden?
Hoegaarden has an ABV of 4.9%.
How many calories are in Hoegaarden?
Hoegaarden has Around 150 per 12 fl oz, based on the brewery’s published nutrition information.
Is Hoegaarden gluten free?
Hoegaarden: No, it contains wheat and barley.
Does Hoegaarden have carbs?
Yes, Hoegaarden has Around 13g per 12 fl oz. If you’re watching carbs, see our guide to the best low-carb beers.
How can I make Hoegaarden taste better?
Serve it at the right temperature and in the right glass (see below), or use it as the base for a beer cocktail. Our beer cocktails guide has recipes worth trying.
How much does Hoegaarden cost?
Hoegaarden typically runs Around $9 to $12 for a 6-pack in the US. Check the button for live pricing. Check current pricing and availability through the buy link above.
How do I open Hoegaarden without a bottle opener?
A lighter, a sturdy key, a spoon, or the edge of a table all work in a pinch. See our full guide on opening a beer without a bottle opener for 8 methods that actually work.
What glass should I use for Hoegaarden?
A standard pint or tulip glass works well for a Belgian witbier like Hoegaarden. See our beer glassware guide for style-by-style recommendations.
