4 Hands Contact High
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Tasting Notes
Contact High pours with a hazy, soft character typical of American pale wheat ales, leading with aromas of citrus zest, light tropical fruit, and a faint bready note from the wheat malt. The flavor follows suit — gentle lemon and orange peel up front, modest hop bitterness that stays well in the background, and a smooth, slightly creamy midsection. The body is light to medium, carried along by the wheat's natural softness. The finish is clean and dry without much lingering bitterness, making it an approachable, low-demand pour.
About the Brewery
4 Hands Brewing is based in St. Louis, Missouri, founded in 2011 in the city's near-south side. They've built a reputation as one of the more consistent and commercially savvy craft breweries in the St. Louis market, with a broad lineup that spans session-friendly wheat beers and pale ales alongside more adventurous barrel-aged and sour programs. Contact High has been one of their flagship warm-weather offerings and a reliable seller in regional distribution.
Food Pairings
This style's gentle citrus and wheat character pairs well with fish tacos, where the light bitterness cuts through fried or seasoned fish without overwhelming it. A simple summer salad with vinaigrette works because the beer's acidity and fruit notes echo the dressing's brightness. Grilled chicken with lemon herb seasoning mirrors the beer's citrus profile without competing. Soft cheeses like brie or fresh chèvre complement the wheat's mild creaminess. Lighter seafood dishes — shrimp ceviche, for instance — match the beer's weight and let the citrus in both the food and the glass reinforce each other.
Style Guide
American pale wheat ales are brewed with a significant proportion of wheat malt alongside barley, which contributes a soft body, slightly hazy appearance, and a gentle breadiness. Unlike their German counterparts — hefeweizens and witbiers — the American version skips the traditional yeast strains that produce banana and clove character, instead using cleaner ale yeasts that let hop-forward citrus and light fruit notes take the lead. ABVs typically land in the 4–5.5% range, keeping the style light and accessible. It occupies a middle ground between a standard pale ale and a hefeweizen, borrowing the wheat's softness while leaning into American hop sensibilities.