Fruit beer is one of the most misunderstood styles. At its worst it is sugary and one-note, but at its best it is bright, complex and hugely refreshing, using real fruit to lift the beer rather than drown it. Summer is the perfect time to explore it.
Below are eight of the best fruit beers, each tasted and rated for the site. There is a tart, champagne-like Belgian gueuze, a crisp apple ale, a bright citrus wheat and a fun banana-bread beer, ranging from bone-dry to sweet. Every pick links to its full review and you can grab a bottle or case in a couple of taps.
The range is huge, so match it to the moment: a dry, tart lambic is a sophisticated aperitif, while a sweeter fruit ale is more of a one-and-done treat. Serve them cold and enjoy the variety.
Best Fruit Beers at a Glance
| Beer | Style | Our rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unibroue Ephemere Apple | Fruit Wheat Ale | 4.1/5 | Best crisp apple ale |
| Lindemans Cuvee Rene Gueuze | Belgian Gueuze | 4.1/5 | Best tart, champagne-like sipper |
| Blue Moon LightSky | Citrus Light Wheat | 3.4/5 | Best light citrus wheat |
| Bell’s Oberon | American Wheat Ale | 4.3/5 | Best bright summer wheat |
| Wells Banana Bread Beer | Fruit / Flavoured Ale | 3.9/5 | Best fun novelty pick |
| Blue Moon Belgian White | Belgian-Style Wheat | 4.0/5 | Best easy orange wheat |
| Avery White Rascal | Belgian Witbier | 4.2/5 | Best spritzy, spiced wit |
| Hoegaarden | Belgian Witbier | 4.5/5 | Best classic citrus wit |
Fruit beer covers a huge range, from bone-dry and tart to sweet and dessert-like. The best summer options are the bright, refreshing ones that use fruit to lift the beer rather than turn it into pop. There is a lot more to this style than sugary novelties.
Unibroue Ephemere Apple
A crisp Belgian-style white ale from Quebec brewed with apple must and a touch of spice. Tart, aromatic and refreshing, it drinks like a beer-cider hybrid and shines in the heat. Read the full Unibroue Ephemere Apple review.
- Crisp apple and spice
- Tart and very refreshing
- A great fruit-beer gateway
- Fruit character not for purists
Lindemans Cuvee Rene Gueuze
A tart, sparkling Belgian lambic blend with lemon, funk and a bone-dry finish. Wildly refreshing and almost champagne-like, it is a sophisticated summer sipper for the adventurous. Read the full Lindemans Cuvee Rene Gueuze review.
- Tart, dry and hugely refreshing
- Champagne-like sparkle
- Something completely different
- Sour style, not for everyone
- Sip, do not chug
Blue Moon LightSky
A light, low-calorie wheat beer brewed with tangerine. Bright and easy at only around 95 calories, it is a guilt-light option for drinking in the sun without slowing down. Read the full Blue Moon LightSky review.
- Bright tangerine citrus
- Low calorie and light
- Easy all-day drinking
- Thin body
- Light on flavour
Bell’s Oberon
Summer in a bottle for a whole swathe of the US. Bell’s Oberon is a bright American wheat ale with soft citrus and spice, a seasonal release people genuinely look forward to each year. Read the full Bell’s Oberon review.
- Bright, citrusy summer wheat
- Cult seasonal favourite
- Soft and refreshing
- Seasonal, not year-round
- Regional availability
Wells Banana Bread Beer
A genuinely fun English ale brewed with real banana, tasting like liquid banana bread over a malty base. Sweet, novel and surprisingly drinkable, it is a talking-point fruit beer for a party. Read the full Wells Banana Bread Beer review.
- Real banana-bread flavour
- Fun and different
- Surprisingly balanced
- Sweet, more a one-and-done
- Not a session beer
Blue Moon Belgian White
The gateway wheat beer, and a good one. Smooth and lightly sweet with orange and coriander, Blue Moon is a soft, refreshing crowd-pleaser that suits a sunny afternoon, garnish and all. Read the full Blue Moon Belgian White review.
- Smooth, easy and widely loved
- Orange-peel citrus character
- Great intro to wheat beers
- A little sweet for some
- Best with an orange slice
Avery White Rascal
An unfiltered Belgian-style wit with coriander and orange peel and a lively, spritzy finish. Crisp and characterful, it is a refreshing wheat beer with a bit more zip than most. Read the full Avery White Rascal review.
- Spritzy and refreshing
- Bright coriander and orange
- Well-made wit
- Spice not for everyone
Hoegaarden
The original Belgian wit, cloudy and soft with orange, coriander and a gentle tang. Light-bodied and endlessly refreshing, it is a classic hot-weather beer that goes down like sunshine. Read the full Hoegaarden review.
- Soft, spiced and refreshing
- Light and very drinkable
- A summer classic
- Delicate, can feel light
The Gear That Shows Off a Fruit Beer
Beer sorted, now serve it right. These three show off the colour and keep a fruit beer crisp.
Fruit Beer FAQ
What is the best fruit beer?
It depends on your taste. For a dry, sophisticated option, Lindemans Cuvee Rene gueuze is tart and champagne-like. For something crisp and easy, Unibroue Ephemere Apple is excellent, and Wells Banana Bread Beer is a fun, sweeter novelty.
Are fruit beers sweet?
Not always. Fruit beers range from bone-dry and tart, like a traditional Belgian lambic or gueuze, to sweet and dessert-like. Many of the best use fruit to add brightness and acidity rather than sugar, so read the style before assuming it will be sweet.
What is a lambic or gueuze?
A lambic is a spontaneously fermented Belgian beer, naturally sour and often aged in barrels. A gueuze is a blend of young and old lambics, which is tart, dry and sparkling, almost like a sour champagne. Lindemans Cuvee Rene is a classic example.
What fruit beer is good for someone who does not like beer?
Bright, lightly fruity and easy-drinking options are the best gateway. A citrus wheat like Blue Moon LightSky or a soft orange wit like Blue Moon Belgian White are approachable, and the sweeter Wells Banana Bread Beer often wins over non-beer-drinkers.
Want a raspberry lambic specifically? Read our Lindemans Framboise review for tasting notes and serving tips.
