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Why all the dislike for fruit beers?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by djsmith1174, Jun 1, 2013.

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  1. djsmith1174

    djsmith1174 Pundit (991) Aug 21, 2005 Minnesota

    Is it because they kind of break from more traditional ingredients? Too sweet in many cases? Dare I say it, "Not manly enough". I know that some get some love and even hype, but those are few and far between. Most get passed off as "sucks" before many even try them. I'm just curious to hear BAs reasons why, because you are certainly entitled to dislike them.

    For me, I don't mind them when I'm in the mood for something of that sort. I really like variety and those type of beers just add more to that variety. I have always enjoyed fruit flavors and find that a well done fruit beer can be highly enjoyable.
     
    #1 djsmith1174, Jun 1, 2013
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  2. Lorianneb

    Lorianneb Initiate (0) Apr 27, 2012 New Jersey

    I think it's because they are viewed as "girlie beers". I like to think of them more like gateway beers, as they were for me. I rarely drink them now.
     
    #2 Lorianneb, Jun 1, 2013
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  3. semibaked

    semibaked Pooh-Bah (1,897) Mar 27, 2007 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Deactivated

    No hate from me, I like them if they are done well such as New Glarus and Sam Smith.
     
    #3 semibaked, Jun 1, 2013
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  4. Geuzedad

    Geuzedad Initiate (0) Nov 14, 2010 Arizona

    Some of us "hard core" BA's consider fruit beers "girly beers". With that being said, anyone who thinks fruit beers are just for chicks have never had New Glarus' Wisconsin Belgian Red. If you are into tart Belgian beer then...oh my...you are missing the boat. I think most folks, once being open minded, would see that all fruit beers are not the same. I have also found some to be exceptional on a hot summer afternoon sitting by the pool, to be quite refreshing and very quaffable. You just need to open your mind and be willing to expand your horizons.
     
    #4 Geuzedad, Jun 1, 2013
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  5. ThisWangsChung

    ThisWangsChung Pooh-Bah (2,864) Oct 15, 2011 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah

    Honestly, there are some fruit beers which I'm kind of a sucker for. The late Founders Cerise, for one.

    Oh, and ISO: Raspberry Tart/Wisconsin Belgian Red :wink:
     
    #5 ThisWangsChung, Jun 1, 2013
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  6. Stugotzo

    Stugotzo Initiate (0) Jun 13, 2012 Florida

    #6 Stugotzo, Jun 1, 2013
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  7. Ri0

    Ri0 Initiate (0) Jul 1, 2012 Wisconsin

    Why? Because so many people do not have access to New Glarus, that's why.
     
    #7 Ri0, Jun 1, 2013
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  8. djsmith1174

    djsmith1174 Pundit (991) Aug 21, 2005 Minnesota


    Agreed. I'm only referring to the fruit beers put out by craft brewers. I would just be referring to any craft beer with fruit as an ingredient. Outside the Belgian styles, most get dismissed and I'm just interested in BA's personal reasons if that is the case.
     
    #8 djsmith1174, Jun 1, 2013
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  9. bobbyr5

    bobbyr5 Initiate (0) May 17, 2013 Michigan

    I think fruit beers are decent if the fruit aspect is very minimal. If I want to gin and juice then I will drink gin and juice. Just had a Short's The Soft Parade and I didn't think it differed from any other run of the mill fruit beer but some how it has a BA rating of 82 with almost 500 reviews. eh..
     
    #9 bobbyr5, Jun 1, 2013
  10. BigJim5021

    BigJim5021 Savant (1,215) Sep 2, 2007 Indiana

    I have no problem hating on a fruit beer that has clearly been sweetened with syrup, where nothing resembling actual fruit has even come near it (looking at you, Leinenkugel). However, when it's well done? Hello, Raspberry Tart.
     
    #10 BigJim5021, Jun 1, 2013
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  11. yamar68

    yamar68 Initiate (0) Apr 1, 2011 Minnesota

    #11 yamar68, Jun 1, 2013
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  12. cw577enfield

    cw577enfield Initiate (0) Mar 3, 2013 Virginia

    #12 cw577enfield, Jun 2, 2013
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  13. Greenia

    Greenia Initiate (187) Oct 7, 2011 Michigan

    I'll take a Soft Parade any day. Thats fruit beer done right.
     
    #13 Greenia, Jun 2, 2013
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  14. beerme411

    beerme411 Initiate (0) Sep 28, 2010 California

    There are too many shitty fruit beers. Also Lindemans doesn't help with their added sugar (although I do like some of them).

    They have great potential and some are very good, it's just the more mainstream stuff is poorly done. Need more brewers making better stuff. Don't hate the style just the lack of quality with most attempts, but progress is being made.

    Edit: Stolen from GoT thread "Reek Reek it Rhymes with Kriek" mmmm I would buy that.
     
    #14 beerme411, Jun 2, 2013
  15. Circleo12

    Circleo12 Maven (1,410) Nov 12, 2012 South Carolina
    Trader

    I love most things fruit beers, regardless of what others think of them. Some of the best stuff I've had lately (Serendipity for one) are 'fruit' beers. Maybe some folks just have different tastes. If I went to a bar that had a 100 BA rated fruit beer, and a 100 BA rated IPA, I wouldn't touch the IPA. Just how it is for some folks.
     
    #15 Circleo12, Jun 2, 2013
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  16. fujindemon74

    fujindemon74 Pooh-Bah (1,797) Nov 7, 2012 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    New Glarus & Kasteel do it right.
    Most don't.
     
    #16 fujindemon74, Jun 2, 2013
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  17. strangebrew321

    strangebrew321 Initiate (0) Feb 18, 2009 Indiana

    Fruit beers from breweries such as Leinenkugel or Lindemans come across as artificial tasting. Fruit beers from great breweries are usually a nice treat, especially in the summer heat.
     
    #17 strangebrew321, Jun 2, 2013
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  18. 77black_ships

    77black_ships Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2012 Belgium

    Because mainstream fruit beers are overly sweet, artificial soda-like concoctions which are what most people associated with them. I have had excellent fruit beers & would love to have more.
     
    #18 77black_ships, Jun 2, 2013
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  19. djsmith1174

    djsmith1174 Pundit (991) Aug 21, 2005 Minnesota


    Me too. I can still recall the flavor of Blushing Monk and would love to see more examples like that from other breweries.
     
    #19 djsmith1174, Jun 2, 2013
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  20. SpeedwayJim

    SpeedwayJim Pooh-Bah (2,563) Jun 19, 2009 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    #20 SpeedwayJim, Jun 2, 2013
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