Summer is here! And Colorado breweries are busy releasing a steady stream of refreshing, easy-drinking seasonal brews. But this summer, brewers are putting their best fruit forward. From Japanese Yuzu fruit-inspired beers, to a delicious Coconut IPA, to a farmhouse-style ale brewed with chokecherries, here’s a look at seven fruit-forward beers hitting the Colorado market this season.
Fugli Fruit IPA
Oskar Blues Brewing Company — Longmont
5.8% ABV, 60 IBUs
What’s in a name? Oskar Blues’ latest canned release, the Fugli Fruit IPA, is named for the Ugli fruit—a Jamaican sort of tangelo—which together with the citrusy Yuzu fruit, and Mosaic hops, makes for one tangy, fruity and drinkable beer. Fill up a Crowler full at the brewery’s Longmont tasting room, or find it on draft or in cans and restaurants and liquor stores near you.
Maui Express Coconut IPA
Denver Beer Company — Denver
6.6% ABV
Sure, we’ve all consumed a Coconut Porter or two on our day, but how about a Coconut IPA? The folks at Denver Beer Company recently introduced the tropical explosion of flavors of the Maui Express Coconut IPA to beer drinkers in the Denver area. Made up of a combination of Citra and Mosaic hops, and shredded coconut, this refreshing brew will quickly make it’s way up your list of top summer beers. Head to the Denver Beer Co. brewery on Saturday, May 27 to celebrate the release of the Maui Express with a tropical luau complete with giveaways, coconut bikinis and Hawaiian shirts.
Lemondrop Wheat
Station 26 Brewing Co. — Denver
4.5% ABV, 17 IBUs
If you’re looking for the quintessential summery beer to sip on this season, grab a can of Station 26 Brewing Company’s Lemondrop Wheat. Brewed with Lemondrop hops and fresh lemon, this gluten-reduced beer is basically summer in can. Grab a fresh pint at the source, or a six-pack at liquor stores across the Front Range.
Brazzle Sour Golden Raspberry
Odell Brewing Co. — Fort Collins
5.4% ABV, 12 IBUs
If sour brews are your jam, then reach for one of Odell Brewing Company’s limited release sours—the Brazzle—which gets it’s unique name from the color of Fool’s Gold. This sour golden is brewed with a whopping 300 pounds of golden raspberries and aged in oak barrels with wild yeast. Head to Odell’s Fort Collins tasting room May 26-27 for first tastes of this just-release beer.
Maracuyá Passionfruit IPA
Horse & Dragon Brewing Company — Fort Collins
6.8% ABV
You’ll find the perfect balance of sweet and tart in this hopped up fruity IPA. The delicious flavor combination of passionfruit and hops take center stage, but be careful when consuming this easy-drinking brew. This beer is so tasty, but at 6.8 percent ABV, it will sneak up on you quickly.
Bump ’N’ Rind Watermelon Kolsch
Boulder Beer Company — Boulder
5.6% ABV, 25 IBUs
If watermelons and summer are synonymous for you, then Boulder Beer Company’s recently-released Bump ‘N’ Rind is the beer for you. At a cool 5.6 percent ABV, this light and refreshing kolsch is made with fresh watermelon and Mt. Hood and Tettnany hops. Enjoy a pint on the brewery’s sun-filled patio, or pick up a six-pack at select liquor stores.
Saison Aux Baies Ameres
Left Hand Brewing Co. — Longmont
6.8% ABV, 10 IBUs
Part of Left Hand’s Les Quatre (The Four Seasons) Quarterly Saison Series, the Saison Aux Baies Ameres is a dry, crisp farmhouse-style ale with a delightful bite of tartness, thanks to the Colorado chokecherries on the ingredients list. Find it on tap at the brewery’s Longmont tasting room, or in 4 packs of 16 ounce cans at select liquor stores.
