Fruit Beer: Where To Buy The Best Ones?

Fruit beer is a type of beer that is made with fruit added as an adjunct or flavouring. It can be made with various fruits such as strawberries, plums, raspberries, cherries, oranges, grapefruits, and even more unique flavours like coconut and banana. Fruit beers typically have an alcohol content of around 4-8% and are best served cold. While fruit beers originated in Belgium, they are now available worldwide and can be purchased online or in-store at various liquor stores and specialty beer shops. Some popular brands that offer fruit beers include The Belgian Beer Company, Jester King Brewery, and Luekens Wine & Spirits.

Online from Total Wine & More

If you're looking to buy fruit beer online, Total Wine & More is a great option. They offer a wide range of beer varieties, including fruit beer, which can be purchased on their website, TotalWine.com.

To shop for fruit beer on their website, simply create an account and browse their selection. They offer various pick-up and delivery options, so you can choose the most convenient method for you. You can opt for in-store pick-up at your nearest Total Wine & More location or take advantage of their delivery services.

It's important to note that the availability of fruit beer may vary depending on your location due to state laws. For example, their website indicates that fruit beer is not available in Westbury, NY, due to local regulations. However, it is available in other Total Wine stores.

When shopping for fruit beer online at Total Wine & More, you can explore a diverse range of brands and flavors. Fruit beer is typically made with fruit added as an adjunct or flavoring, and it can be a great way to add a unique twist to your drinking experience.

So, whether you're looking for a refreshing beer with citrus notes or something sweeter with berry flavors, Total Wine & More is a convenient online option to find the perfect fruit beer for your taste preferences.

In-store at Luekens Wine & Spirits

Luekens Wine & Spirits is a liquor superstore with five locations across the US, including Tampa Bay, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, and Oldsmar, Florida, as well as one in Pennsylvania. They offer a wide range of wines, spirits, and beers, including fruit beers, at competitive prices.

The physical stores of Luekens Wine & Spirits offer a vast selection of alcoholic beverages, including fruit beers. Their well-stocked aisles and knowledgeable staff make it a go-to destination for many locals and enthusiasts.

The Dunedin, Florida, location, for example, boasts an entire aisle dedicated to vodka alone, as well as a variety of mixers, snacks, sodas, and premixed cocktails. This particular store also carries several brands of ouzo, catering to a diverse range of customer preferences.

The Tampa Bay, Florida, store, located in the Tampa Bay area, is another popular destination for those seeking a wide variety of options. In addition to their extensive online selection, the physical store offers a unique shopping experience with helpful staff who can guide you in selecting the perfect beverage for your taste and budget.

Luekens Wine & Spirits stores are known for their dynamic and ever-changing inventory, so it's always a fun adventure to explore the latest additions to their shelves. Whether you're a beer connoisseur or simply looking for a refreshing fruit beer to enjoy, a visit to Luekens Wine & Spirits is sure to be a delightful experience.

Fruit Beers at Luekens Wine & Spirits

Luekens Wine & Spirits offers a delightful range of fruit beers that will tantalize your taste buds. From the unique Schofferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen, which combines the smoothness of a hefeweizen with tangy grapefruit flavoring, to the Florida-inspired 3 Daughters Florida Orange IPA, bursting with juicy sweetness and citrusy hops, there's something for every fruit beer enthusiast.

For those who enjoy a touch of spice, the 3 Sons Citrus Machine, a Double Dry Hopped Hazy IPA, is a perfect choice, with its vibrant notes of lemon, grapefruit, stone fruit, and tropical citrus. If you're craving something more mellow, the Soft Parade by Short's Brewing Co. offers a mildly spicy and mildly tart experience, crafted with rye and pureed blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries.

For fans of Belgian beers, the Wisconsin Belgian Red by New Glarus Brewing Co. is a delightful choice, featuring local Door County cherries with subtle hints of apple, oak, spice, and malt. This beer can be enjoyed for hours, thanks to its palate-clearing carbonation.

Whether you're a seasoned beer enthusiast or a curious explorer, Luekens Wine & Spirits offers a fruit beer journey that will delight your senses and satisfy your cravings. Their in-store experience, complemented by their online shopping options, makes them a go-to destination for all your beverage needs.

From Belgian Beer Company

Fruit beers from the Belgian Beer Company cannot be beaten. Each beer features a flavour explosion you don't want to miss out on. Bursting with character, the colour, aroma, and taste of each beer are determined by the fruit.

The Belgian Beer Company offers a wide range of fruit beers, including cherry, strawberry, raspberry, peach, and coconut beers, as well as more exotic concoctions. They stock beers from some of the top breweries, including Timmermans and Mongozo.

One of their standout beers is the Timmermans Kriek Black Pepper, a cherry lambic with an almondy dryness and a hint of black pepper. Another is the Lindemans Pecheresse, a clever combination of the French words for peach and sinful, which offers a fresh and sparkling balance of peaches and beer. It has also won various beer awards.

The Belgian Beer Company also offers fruit beer mixed cases, which include six different types of fruit beer that are all relatively low in alcoholic content compared to most other Belgian beers. The mixed case includes the Timmermans Kriek Black Pepper, Lindemans Pecheresse, Liefmans Fruitesse, Floris Mango, Fruli, and Mongozo Coconut.

From US breweries like Jester King Brewery

If you're a fan of fruit beer, you're in luck! There are several US breweries that specialize in crafting unique and delicious fruit beers, and Jester King Brewery is definitely one of the leaders in this category. Located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, just outside of Austin, Jester King Brewery is a must-visit destination for any craft beer enthusiast.

Jester King's fruit beers are renowned for their creativity and attention to quality. The brewery uses only the freshest ingredients, including locally sourced fruits, to create complex and captivating beers that showcase the unique flavors of each fruit variety. Whether you're a fan of tart and tangy sour beers or prefer a more subtle fruit presence in your IPAs, Jester King has something for everyone.

One of their signature fruit beers is the "Atrial Rubicite," a sour beer aged with raspberries. This beer pours a beautiful deep ruby red, with a delicate pink foam, and offers a perfect balance of tart raspberry flavor and oak-barrel-aged wild yeast character. It's a true showcase of Jester King's mastery of the style. Another fan favorite is their "Noble King," a farmhouse ale brewed with figs. This beer has a subtle sweetness and a complex, earthy character that makes it incredibly drinkable.

In addition to their core range, Jester King also releases seasonal and limited-edition fruit beers throughout the year. Their "Spon Series" features spontaneously fermented beers aged with various fruits, such as peaches, apricots, and blackberries, resulting in complex, wild ales with a truly unique character. These limited releases are highly anticipated by beer enthusiasts across the country and often sell out quickly.

If you're unable to visit the brewery itself, don't worry – Jester King distributes their beers to select retailers across the country. You can often find their core range at well-stocked craft beer stores, and their limited releases are allocated to ensure that beer lovers nationwide have a chance to try them. Additionally, many online beer retailers offer shipping within the US, making it even easier to get your hands on these sought-after brews. So, whether you're a fruit beer fanatic or just looking to explore the diverse world of craft beer, be sure to check out the incredible offerings from Jester King Brewery and other innovative US breweries pushing the boundaries of this delicious style.

From English historical recipes

Fruit beer has been around for a long time, with evidence of its existence dating back to ancient China and Egypt. In medieval England, ale was a popular drink made from grain, water, and fermented with yeast. While beer also contained these ingredients, it was distinguished by the addition of hops, which gave it a bitter taste and helped preserve it.

Ingredients:

• 4 2/3 lbs. English Pale malt
• 1 1/2 lbs. oats (rolled)
• 1 packet Nottingham ale yeast
• 1 packet Windsor ale yeast
• 1/4 oz. Light Oak chips (optional)

Instructions:

• Sanitize your insulated tun and fermentation vessel.
• Crush the malt and mix it with the oats.
• Pour 2 quarts of water into the tun, followed by the dry grain mixture.
• Slowly pour 3 more quarts of boiling water over the grain, then cover and let it sit for 10 minutes.
• Add 1 more quart of boiling water, cover, and wait for 20 minutes.
• Stir the mixture, which should have a porridge-like consistency. Cover and let it sit for at least an hour and a half.
• Add 3 more quarts of boiling water, stir, cover, and wait for 25 minutes.
• Finally, add the remaining boiling water and stir well.
• Set up the sanitized fermenter and strain the wort from the grain.
• Close the fermenter and let the wort cool overnight.
• Rehydrate the yeast packets according to the instructions and pitch them into the wort, aerating it by shaking and stirring.
• Let the ale ferment for a day, then boil the oak chips (if using) in a cup of water.
• When the water turns the colour of tea, remove the chips and add half a cup of water back into them. Bring to a boil again and then cool.
• Add this oak-water mixture to the wort and let the ale continue fermenting for a couple more days.
• Draw off and serve.

Please note that this recipe is for educational purposes only, and the final product may not be safe for consumption. Always exercise caution when preparing and consuming alcoholic beverages.

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