Trend of fruit-infused beer continues with IPA options

Fruit-infused tart beers featuring bright flavors with a puckering sourness were all the rage last year. But adding fruit to beer isn’t something new. Brewers have been using fruit for centuries, from the classic Belgian witbier with orange peel to lambic infused with sour cherries or raspberries. Fruit in beer is a harmonious collaboration.

A trend now exploding in American craft brewing adds fruit to hoppy India Pale Ales. Dozens of breweries are pairing citrus and tropical flavors of newer hop varieties such as Citra, Mosaic and Azacca with similar fruit flavors. Grapefruit, passion fruit, orange, tangerine, mango, watermelon and pineapple are some of the fruits being used.

These beers shouldn’t be confused with Shandy’s or Radlers, which are mixes of half beer and half fruit soda or fruit juice. Rather, the new fruited IPAs are typically brewed like any other beer, then a large amount of fruit juice, puree or extract is added prior to bottling.

San Diego’s Ballast Point Brewing was an early trendsetter for fruited IPAs. They’ve been adding different fruits to their popular Sculpin IPA for years, but until last year you could only taste them at the brewery. Last year’s release of Grapefruit Sculpin IPA in cans and bottles sent IPA fans rushing out to buy a six pack.

Since then dozens of breweries have joined suit, and the trend doesn’t look like it’ll be slowing down. With the popularity of IPAs at an all-time high, the addition of juicy fruit flavors is something new to try.

Two recent releases to hit Hawaii include tangerines. Though they use the same ingredients, these are completely different beers. I recommend trying them side by side to see which one you prefer. Both are available at Bev Mart, 2441 Date St., for about $2.50 for a 12-ounce bottle.

>> New Belgium Citradelic Tangerine IPA: February marked the long-awaited arrival to Hawaii of the Colorado-based New Belgium Brewing Co. This is an incredibly refreshing and crisp IPA that explodes with citrus aromas and flavors. A slight malt sweetness keeps things dry and light. The focus here is on fresh, juicy orange flavors and aromas. The bitterness is subdued and light, with the orange and tangerine flavors lingering pleasantly after each sip.

>> Green Flash Tangerine Soul Style IPA: In contrast to the Citradelic, this San Diego-based offering from Green Flash Brewing Co. is bracingly bitter and loaded with candylike orange flavors and aromas. Its malt balance provides the sweetness necessary to counter the assertive bitter hops. In terms of aroma, this IPA is reminiscent of orange Starburst candy, almost artificial in its vibrancy and power, and that citrus intensity carries through to the flavor. Imagine peeling an orange and releasing a spray of citrus oil — that’s the depth of aroma and flavor packed into this beer.

Tim Golden shares his obsession with all things craft beer monthly in the Star-Advertiser food section. See his blog, “Beer in Hawaii,” at beerinhawaii.com.