From hazy IPAs bursting with tropical flavors to tart, refreshing sour ales, fruit-infused beers have become a staple for breweries looking to push the boundaries of flavor. While fruited ales have long dominated the scene, fruited lagers are starting to gain attention as brewers explore new ways to integrate fruit into their lighter, crisper creations. Both styles offer unique opportunities for experimentation and appeal to a wide range of drinkers, but they cater to different palates and brewing philosophies.
Fruited ales offer a bold canvas for flavor innovation.
Fruited ales are far more common than fruited lagers within the craft beer scene, encompassing a broad range of styles, including sours, IPAs, wheat ales, and Belgian styles. The flexibility of ales—due to their higher fermentation temperatures and wide variety of yeast strains—makes them ideal for incorporating fruits.
Wide Range of Flavor Possibilities.
Fruited ales provide brewers with a large palette to work from. You can let your imagination run wild—exploring every fruit flavor from familiar New England blueberries to exotic passion fruit or pomegranate—and experiment with how the fruits interact with the hops, malt, and yeast profiles of different ale styles. For instance, tropical fruits like mango and pineapple pair surprisingly well with the fruity esters and aromas of a New England IPA.
Popularity Among Consumers.
Fruited ales are often a consumer favorite because they balance your favorite beer flavors with bright, refreshing fruit notes. They appeal to a broad audience, from seasoned craft beer drinkers to those who may be less inclined toward traditional, hoppy beers. This accessibility drives their popularity, particularly in taprooms, where variety and innovation are key.
Seasonal and Limited Releases.
Fruited ales often shine as seasonal beers. Brewers can take advantage of fresh, local fruit to create limited-run beers that capitalize on the flavors of the season. A summer fruit ale with strawberries or blueberries becomes a refreshing, highly marketable product during warmer months while pumpkin and cranberry ales steal the show during the fall and winter.
Pairing Fruit with Ale Styles.
Ales’ wide range of yeast-driven flavors (from esters to phenols) provides a great canvas for pairing with fruits. Belgian ales, for example, benefit from the addition of fruits like cherries or raspberries to enhance the beer’s complex, spicy profile. Similarly, sours (like gose and Berliner Weisse) use fruits to enhance their tartness and balance the lactic acid with fruit sweetness.
Award-Winning Potential.
Fruited ales have a proven track record in beer competitions. Beers like New Glarus Brewing’s Wisconsin Belgian Red, brewed with cherries, have won multiple awards due to their balanced, fruit-forward profiles. Brewers looking to stand out in competitions often use fruit to craft unique and memorable beers.
Fruited lagers provide a crisp and refreshing twist on tradition.
Fruited lagers are less common, but they’re becoming more popular as brewers seek to diversify their offerings. While ales often complement fruit flavors in ways that are easy to balance, lagers provide a neutral canvas that allows fruit characteristics to shine through more subtly.
Subtlety and Refreshment.
Fruited lagers offer an ideal platform for creating a refreshing and balanced brew that doesn’t overwhelm with sweetness or intense fruit acidity. They’re a great way to introduce consumers to fruit-flavored beers without the bold tartness often found in fruited ales or sours. Fruited lagers like those made with berries, citrus, or even tropical fruits can offer a crisp, thirst-quenching alternative that pairs well with warm weather or lighter fare.
Market Differentiation.
With the rising popularity of fruit beers, brewing a fruited lager can help differentiate a brewery’s lineup from others that lean more heavily on ales. This can attract consumers who prefer a more balanced or less intense fruit profile. Additionally, as fruited ales dominate the market, lagers can carve out a niche for brewers looking to stand out.
Expanding the Fruited Beer Audience.
Fruited lagers, given their clean, light bodies, may appeal to beer drinkers who might shy away from more aggressive fruit beers. Brewers like Jack’s Abby Brewing Company have found success with fruited lagers, such as their Blood Orange Wheat, which combines the easy-drinking nature of a lager with the vibrant flavors of blood orange. This creates an accessible beer that caters to both lager lovers and fans of fruit beers.
Pairing Potential.
Fruited lagers are versatile and pair well with a variety of foods, from light seafood dishes to summer barbecues. The subtlety of the fruit allows for creative food pairings that can elevate the dining experience.
Level up your lagers & ales with the power of Pureé Arête’s high-quality fruit purees.
Whether you’re crafting a bold, award-winning ale or a crisp, refreshing lager, the potential of fruit purees in brewing is undeniable. Fruited ales, with their limitless flavor possibilities, have long captured the hearts of craft beer enthusiasts, offering a canvas for everything from bright sours to richly spiced Belgian styles.
On the other hand, fruited lagers are emerging as a refreshing alternative, offering a more subtle yet equally impactful way to showcase fruit flavors. Their clean, crisp profile allows the fruit to shine in a lighter, more balanced brew, perfect for attracting both traditional beer drinkers and those new to the craft beer scene. As fruited beers continue to gain popularity, lagers present an exciting opportunity for brewers to differentiate their offerings and cater to an even broader audience.
By incorporating Pureé Arête’s high-quality fruit purees, brewers can streamline their process, maintain consistent flavor, and create exceptional beers that stand out in a crowded market. Whether you’re experimenting with tropical fruit in an IPA or adding a delicate berry twist to a lager, fruit purees can help you elevate your craft and create beers that are memorable, marketable, and award-worthy.
