About Fruit and Specialty Beers

The specialty beer category includes some of the more unique and individualized styles. Many of these beers either do not have a clearly defined style guideline or do not fit under the umbrella of another category. Smoked malts and wild yeasts can drastically alter any beer's flavor profile, adding another dimension and layer of complexity for a brewer. Steeped in centuries of brewing history, styles such as rauchbier and lambic continue to be some of the more revered and sought after beers for consumers. Both styles exhibit a flavor profile that may not be for everyone, yet have very clear and devoted followings.

This category also includes barrel and wood-aged beers. Although the bourbon barrel continues to be the most popular, brewers have pushed this category far beyond bourbon barrel aged stouts, experimenting by aging any style from pilsner to Belgian-style quad, in any barrel they can get their hands on. Fruit flavored beer is another anchor of this category. Whole fruit or fruit juice may be added at multiple points during the brewing process with varying impact on the final beer. Regardless of how fruit is utilized by the brewer, the resulting beer should always preserve a balance between the added fruit and base beer style. This category also includes a wide range of hybrid styles, beers brewed from specialty yeast and malts and gluten-free ales and lagers.

Top Picks for Fruit and Specialty Beers

Fremont Brewing The Rusty Nail Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Oatmeal Stout
97 points
Rich and decadent, but with dark bittersweet chocolate on the palate supplying a pleasant dryness; the intoxicating aromas lead to a full, beautiful body and crisp finish.
Awards: 2023 World Beer Championships Platinum Medal - 2023 Best Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout - Best of Show
Fremont Brewing Bourbon Barrel-Aged Dark Star Imperial Oatmeal Stout
96 points
Rich cocoa nibs and sweet malt with notes of bourbon; a journey of a beer, and an excellent dessert pour.
Awards: 2023 World Beer Championships Gold Medal
Fremont Brewing 2020 B-Bomb Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Winter Ale
96 points
Finesse and elegance. Try this Wood Aged Ale with exceptional integration of oak and malt.
Awards: 2022 World Beer Championships Platinum Medal - Best Wood Aged Ale
Fremont Brewing 2021 Spice Wars Edition Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Oatmeal Stout
96 points
A colossal, velvety Barrel Aged Imperial Stout for palate pampering.
Awards: 2022 World Beer Championships Gold Medal
Boulevard Brewing Co. Bourbon Barrel Quad Barrel-Aged Ale
94 points
A delectable barrel-aged cherry delight.
Awards: 2023 World Beer Championships Gold Medal - 2023 Best Barrel-Aged Ale
Tsingtao Brewing Co. Alcohol Free Lager
94 points
A rock-solid N/A Beer that delivers the crisp clean flavor of your favorite everyday lager.
Awards: 2022 World Beer Championships Gold Medal - Best Non Alcoholic Beer
Damm Brewery Daura Damm Gluten-Free Lager
93 points
Not sure where the gluten is hiding but this just tastes like a delicious Euro Lager, well done.
Fremont Brewing B-Bomb Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Winter Ale
93 points
A bold, rich beer with strong dessert flavors, best suited for sipping by the snifter on a chilly winter night.
Revolution Brewing Deths Tar Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Oatmeal Stout
93 points
A delicious, rich barrel-aged Stout with integrated flavors of dried fruits and chocolate cake; the oak elements and malt characteristics give this a boozy decadent flavor.
Awards: 2023 World Beer Championships Bronze Medal
Sobah Finger Lime Cerveza
93 points
$13.50
Best Buy
Malty and hoppy refreshing beverage that tastes like beer
Awards: 2022 Best Non Alcoholic Beer
93 points $13.50 Best Buy