White beer, also known as "Witbier" in Dutch or "Biére Blanche" in French, is a style of Belgian wheat beer. This beer is pale and cloudy in appearance due to it being typically unfiltered and often bottle conditioned, which leaves yeast sediment in the bottle. The name "white beer" arises from the pale color of the unfiltered beer.
Witbier is typically brewed with a high proportion of unmalted wheat, sometimes as much as 50% of the grain bill. It also includes malted barley and is spiced with coriander and orange peel, which gives it a distinct, citrusy character. Other spices like anise, grains of paradise, and chamomile are also sometimes used.
Belgian yeast strains are used in fermentation, which can lend a fruity, spicy or tart character to the beer. This beer style is often light in body, low in alcohol (generally 4.5-5.5% ABV), and has a slightly sour and dry finish. It's very refreshing and thus often enjoyed in the summer months.
One of the most famous white beers is "Hoegaarden", which is produced in Belgium. This beer essentially resurrected the Witbier style in the 1960s when it was nearly extinct. Other popular brands include "Blue Moon Belgian White" from the United States and "Allagash White".