Brian Nagele
As we set off on a voyage into the world of the top fruit flavored beers, quench your thirst with a symphony of revitalizing flavors. This article is your guide to the best fruit-forward beer experience, from fiery citrus-infused brews to the sumptuous embrace of berry-kissed ales. Taste the subtle harmony of fruit and malt, relishing every mouthful that takes you to tropical forests and orchards. Whether you are an experienced beer drinker or a curious newbie, come celebrate the skill of brewers who have skillfully combined hops with the delightful wealth of nature. Prepare to have your senses teased as you explore a whole new world of delicious artisan beer.
21st Amendment Hell or High Watermelon
If you want a succulent and mouth-watering fruity beer, it’s hard to go wrong with the Hell or High Watermelon from 21st Amendment Brewing. This pale-colored wheat beer bursts with fruity watermelon flavors. This beer tops the list of the best fruity beers because it has a powerful watermelon flavor without being overly sweet. For people who love a fruity taste but not sour beers or ciders, Hell or High Watermelon is ideal. The beer features magnum hops with two-row pale and white wheat malts for a rich yet refreshing taste. This drink is the best summer beverage for enjoying at a barbecue or picnic, and I find it tastes even better paired with a juicy piece of watermelon.
Founders Brewing Co. Rübæus Raspberry Ale
For something more bright, try the refreshing and tart Raspberry Ale from Founders Brewing. Founders is one of the most beloved brewing companies with a range of excellent beers, and this juicy ale is no exception. This ale has a beautiful reddish pink color, and the flavors match the appearance. This beer was a seasonal treat for the spring months once upon a time, but it became so popular and requested that Founders changed its rotation, so it’s available all year round! It’s bursting with the sweet and yummy taste of fresh red raspberries, and there’s no mistaking what fruit is at the heart of this brew.
Anchor Brewing San Franpsycho IPA
If you’re on the hunt for a fruity IPA with a thick, hazy appearance and a myriad of incredible flavors, the San Franpsycho IPA from Anchor Brewing is perfect. As the name implies, this fruity beer is a tribute to the beautiful and exciting city of San Francisco, and the beer mimics this energy. The beer is a hazy, golden straw color. It’s brewed with 2-row pale, red wheat, and acidulated malts for a rich and complex drinking experience. This IPA stands apart from other IPAs from Anchor Brewing as they add peach and apricot fruit puree during the fermentation process, adding the sweet and distinct flavor of the fruit that I love.
Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin IPA
The Grapefruit Sculpin IPA from Ballast Point Brewing is one of the most well-known fruity beers, especially in the grapefruit category. And it’s likely the most popular beer Ballast Point makes! While other grapefruit beers appear on this list, none are as flavorful and sharp as Ballast Point. This award-winning IPA has citrus notes along with the biting taste of grapefruit. I would describe this beer as an easy-drinking beverage, but the grapefruit flavor can be overwhelming to some. Despite the many malts in the beer, the grapefruit flavor persists in every sip. And when considering bitterness, this IPA leans toward the harsher side, so it’s not ideal for people hesitant to try IPAs. But for the fruity IPA lovers, it doesn’t get better than this.
Dogfish Head SuperEIGHT
Gose beers often have fruity flavors, but this SuperEIGHT Gose from Dogfish Head is impeccable. This beer has a stunning pinkish-purple color that will catch your eye from across the bar. The list of ingredients alone will have you salivating. The beer features prickly pear, mango, boysenberry, blackberry, raspberry, elderberry, kiwi juice, quinoa, and a heavy pinch of Hawaiian sea salt that excites the taste buds. This gose is meant to pack a punch of fruity flavors, and it delivers. The most prominent taste is blueberry and blackberry, but you’ll get notes of many different fruits in every sip. If you want something more tart and packed with flavor, you’ll love this brew from Dogfish Head.
Golden Road Mango Cart Wheat Ale
If super tart and fruity beers don’t appeal to you, opt for a more subdued fruit beer with subtle flavors. One of your best options is the Mango Cart Wheat Ale from Golden Road Brewing. Like the Hell or High Watermelon, this beer has a complex combination of malts and hops that make for a smooth but captivating taste. It features 2-row and wheat malts for a deep taste without being too heavy. And the bravo hops bring the mango flavor to life! This beer has a relatively low ABV, so I think it’s great for casual sipping earlier in the day. This brew encompasses everything a fruity summer beer should be, finding the ideal balance of sweet and crisp.
Jack’s Abby Blood Orange Wheat
Like most beers from Jack’s Abby, the flavor of their Blood Orange Wheat is distinct and memorable. If you want to try something new and unique, the Blood Orange Wheat is a wonderful choice. This wheat is a German-style Radler that has a crispy but smooth mouthfeel and robust aroma. If you hate a fruit beer that is too sweet or tart, this will be your new favorite. And you won’t be alone, as this quickly became a fan favorite after hitting the shelves. Some even describe the taste as slightly peppery! The beer is a soft yellow that disguises how strong the blood orange flavor is.
Samuel Smith Organic Strawberry
Samuel Smith Brewing’s Organic Strawberry Beer is one of the more refined fruit beers, which is ideal for someone who wants a middle-of-the-road fruit beer that isn’t too sweet but still hits that sweet spot. The flavors of this strawberry beer are soft and subtle but still detectable if you have a decent palate. It has an elegant combination of malts to make for a rich flavor that doesn’t hide the strawberry taste and aroma. Samuel Smith Brewing uses organic barley malt, organic wheat malt, organic strawberry juice, and organic sugar, among other ingredients to craft this delicate but complex fruit beer.
Schöfferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen
If German beers are your thing and you want something fruity, this Grapefruit Hefeweizen combines the best of both categories. Schöfferhofer is one of the best German breweries out there, and they worked their German brewing magic to craft this outstanding grapefruit beer. Hefeweizens are typically more yeasty than other beers, adding a bready layer to the sharp grapefruit taste. Believe it or not, this is the first grapefruit Hefeweizen in the world! So you get a taste of beer history when you try this fruity brew. I find this beer is lighter than most Hefeweizens, making it ideal for casual drinking or even as a brunch beverage!
