BJCP 2021 / 29A
Fruit Beer
A pleasant blend of fruit and beer that still tastes like beer.
- Drink fresh
- specialty beer
- fruit
Serve: 40 to 50F, Pint or tulip, to suit the base
The BJCP gives no numbers. Follow the base style the brewer declares.
Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Clear fruit aroma, from subtle to bold
- The base style's malt and yeast underneath
- Hop aroma pulled back to let the fruit show
- Vague
- Fruity
- Better
- Fresh fruit over beer
- Best
- Moderate fresh raspberry aroma over the base beer's grain, hops quiet, nothing candy-like
Appearance
3 pts- Follows the base style
- Fruit color may tint the beer and the head
- Haze is a flaw
- Vague
- Pink
- Better
- Fruit-tinted and clear
- Best
- Base color shifted by the fruit, clear, head tinted if the fruit is strong
Flavor
20 pts- Distinct fruit flavor balanced with the base
- Fruit adds flavor with little added sweetness
- Dry finish, since fruit sugar ferments out
- Vague
- Fruity
- Better
- Real fruit and beer
- Best
- Clear fruit flavor in proportion to the malt and hops of the base, dry finish, tartness or tannin balanced
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Follows the base style
- Fruit often thins the body
- Light tannin from dark or small fruits
- Vague
- Thin
- Better
- Light and fruity
- Best
- Body a touch lighter than the base, tannin present and gentle
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Fruit that tastes fresh and real
- Balance with the base
Drops it
- Juice-drink character
- Artificial flavor
Writing tip
Say what fruit and how real it tastes. Example: 'Fresh raspberry over light malt, dry finish. Tastes like ripe fruit.'
Pour these
- RübæusFounders BrewingRaspberry ale, tart and bright
- Grapefruit SculpinBallast PointIPA base with fresh citrus peel
- Watermelon Wheat21st AmendmentLight wheat base with soft watermelon
Often confused with
- 29B Fruit and Spice BeerFruit and Spice Beer adds spice
- 28C Wild Specialty BeerWild Specialty Beer brings in wild fermentation
Fine here
- Estery: Fruity esters can support the added fruit
- Astringent: A little tannin from skins is fine
Ruinous here
- Phenolic: Medicinal or chemical off-notes
- Oxidized: Stale, dull fruit
- Sour/Acidic: Infection tartness that was not intended
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.