Sweet, fruity or tart, sometimes when enjoying a fruit beer you forget that you're even drinking a beer at all! Fruit has been used in brewing beer for centuries so it's no surprise that some find that there's nothing better than a fruity beer. But there's so much more to it than that, so let Beer Hawk help you discover what else there is to love in beer and fruit.

We get that many people think fruit beer is a gateway beer. And while it's true than many newcomers and ladies do, indeed, prefer a fruity ale there's so much more to it than that. There are many styles that welcome the sweet, tart flavours that come with fruit. It takes a skilled brewer to incorporate fruit into a recipe and still have it come out refined, balanced and, well, tasting like it's a beer as opposed to a fruit drink. Here are our favourite beers that we think are fine examples of why everybody should give a fruity beer a try:

Siren Pompelmocello

Made with grapefruit zest, grapefruit juice and lactose, the Siren Pompelmocello is intended to be an IPA but its tart, juicy character comes across so fruity and refreshing that we think it suits those who love fruit beers.

Kasteel Rouge

Brewed on the base of a Belgian dubbel, the Kasteel Rouge is blended with a sour cherry liquer. Sweet and tart, this fruity ale has flavours of dark red fruits and zesty sour cherries. Its light carbonation appeals to those who don't like the full brunt of a Belgian dubbel. 

Lindemans Framboise

Low ABV with intense flavours of raspberry, Lindemans Framboise is an easy-drinking fruit beer. There's a slight acidity and lively carbonation that temper the sweetness of the raspberries making it appealing to a wider audience.

Tiny Rebel Clwb Tropicana

Tiny Rebel Clwb Tropicana is a juicy, fruity IPA with loads of cracking flavours. Don't let the "IPA" fool you, however; this is tropical-fruitiness in all its glory. Haters of bitter beers needn't worry.

Other Styles You'll Love

Berliner Weisse

Made famous in Berlin, the Berliner Weisse is a cloudy, sour beer measuring at about 3% ABV. It’s made with a blend of barley and wheat malts and gets its sour character thanks to a lactobacillus culture. It’s popular to add syrups like raspberry to balance out the tartness.

Must try: Evil Twin Nomader Weisse

Fruit Lambic

Another sweet-and-sour style, the fruit lambic is a lambic that has been blended with fruit juices: most often peach, cherry or raspberry. While lambics are famously sour with a refreshing, dry finish the addition of fruit juices tempers the "funk" by bringing in a good bit of sweetness.

Must try: Lindemans Pecheresse

Hefeweizen

A signature brew of Bavaria, this is a medium-bodied, effervescent beer exploding with notes of banana and clove alongside a biscuity maltiness. Traditional versions will be cloudy, malty with a smooth mouthfeel and dense, whipped-cream head. Serve in a tall glass ‘mit hefe’ — swirl the bottle to make sure you get all the yeast!

Must try: Schneider Weisse Original Tap 7

Milk Stout

We know it's a bit strange to see a dark style on here if you're used to fruit beers coming in pink or peach. But the milk stout is made with lactose which gives a creamy, somewhat sour quality that brings out some of the hidden fruit notes in the beer. Also, this style is usually fantastic with fresh berries so try them alongside each other!

Must try: Wiper and True Milkshake

Italian Grape Ale

A refreshing and complex Italian ale, distinguished by the addition of grapes or grape must, the Italian Grape Ale is an exciting style to come from the Italian brewing movement. Incorporating both Italian wine and beer traditions, this style has the characteristics of the grape without overpowering.

Must try: Fyne Ales Devine

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