Why are watermelon beers so polarizing?

I think the big issue is that many taste like artificial jolly rancher watermelon flavors, which may make a beer taste like less of a beer and more like a watermelon-arita (a real thing). Granted, there is a strong market for artificially fruity beers (it seems to now be ballast point's business strategy), but I'm not going to call it a great thing for craft beer.

The hell or high watermelon I remember actually being a well balanced wheat beer with a hint of fruit, so you might just be starting with the best.

 

Because it's watermelon in beer.

 

Because they are terrible

 

Depends on where I am, when I was on the beach in Florida, Nice Melons by Rivertown Brewing hit the spot. It had the jolly rancher thing going on, but it was a BW so I didn't mind it so much. Now back in Texas and staying inside because of rain and insects, not craving that much anymore.

 

Because you're doing it wrong. Try the Briney Melon gose. You're welcome.

 

From a brewing perspective, adding watermelon fruit or juice doesn't add a lot of flavor because it is fairly weak/watery. Therefore, to get more watermelon flavor, brewers often use additives that give it the jolly rancher taste people talk about.

 

As many have said, BP Watermelon Dorado was god awful. Honestly the only one that I've really liked was Mudshark Wild Watermelon (local) because it didn't taste like syrupy artificial sweeteners.

I think though that you could have this conversation about the new wave of fruit flavored beers in general (fruit flavored specifically as opposed to beer brewed with actual fruit).

 

Years ago I hosted a large fraternity party that featured watermelon daiquiris which were very well received but subsequent experiments with the same recipe were found wanting.

What we discovered is watermelon flavor, while a bold taste on it's own, waters down quickly when mixed and by the time you've added enough to taste it you've also added enough to throw the drink out of balance.

The few melon beers I've tried left the impression they were a waste of good beer or a waste of good melon depending on one's perspective.

 

Exactly. I like fresh Watermelon. I like fresh beer. Putting them together just doesn't work for me.

 

Watermelon is such a subtle flavor that it works better as one part of a whole rather than the star flavor. I'm one of the few who don't mind Watermelon Dorado, mostly because I knew that I was about to drink a Jolly Rancher ahead of time.
An example where watermelon works better is Wheatermelon from OddSide Ales. They didn't try to amp up the watermelon flavor, and made it more of a compliment to the wheat ale.

 

I don't like fruit in beer for the most part, the exception is grapefruit, which can be duplicated by a great Brewer using nothing more than
hops. I'd include Pumpkin into this class as well, in my mind they're all spice bombs that give me heartburn. The base beer is irrelevant the spices are first and foremost and completely dominating.

 

I have no problem understanding that these beers are another journey down the wine/beer cooler avenue.

 

Keep watermelon for the Mikes Hard's, Calypso Colada's, and to Occasional Sour.
But Briney Melon Gose - Anderson Valley is ok.
I would like to try Watermelon Warhead - Feral Brewing Co.

 

Watermelon is pink(ish) and pink is for girls. I'm a man, I drink manly beers.

 

Might as well buy a Mad Dog 20/20 Electric Melon while you're at it.

No direct offense to you OP.

 

But it doesn't pour pinkish. It's actually golden/yellow.

 

Watermelon in a gose makes sense to me. Because gose... salt... and who never salted their watermelon? (if you haven't you're unAmerican)

The only other watermelon craft beer I can recall was Hell or High Watermelon, and while not horrible, I thought it was watery and forgettable.

Heard too many horror stories on here re Watermelon Dorado to give it a whirl.

 

A couple of weeks ago we went camping at the beach. I brought a 6 pack of Hell or high watermelon. I had never had watermelon beer before. Someone else brought Lagunitas 12th of Never. The Hell was far inferior. Too bland and watery. OTOH it was still better then say Bud Lite, so I guess I am intermediate on watermelon beer.

 

And here my GF called me crazy for salting my watermelon. its something ive done since I was a kid with my grandfather.