The thirst-quenching refreshment of lime. The pleasant pucker of lemon. The lush, soft depth of pineapple. As humans, we love fruit. We’re wired to. For early humans, fruit was literally a source of life. Our hunter-gather ancestors foraged for fruit to obtain much of their sustenance. So it’s no surprise that we love fruity flavors in beer. From the tropical and stone fruit flavors of modern hops to the pome fruit and banana notes of yeast-derived esters, fruit flavors are all over our favorite craft beer styles.

At times, fruit itself often makes its way into many of these same beers, especially once the warmer weather hits and yearning for juicy refreshers hits its height. So it’s no surprise that we’ve got a veritable grove of fruit-infused brews to cool that patio or beachside heat. Let’s discover how the fruit used in each takes these beverages to the next delicious level.

It’s difficult to think about fruit in beer without jumping right to one of the most iconic (and beachy) combinations: a pale, highly carbonated lager with a wedge of lime squeezed in. Brewed with real lime purée and peel, Mexican Lager with Lime is perfect for the beach, yes, but also for any other laid-back situation you might find yourself in. The gentle acidity and bright aromatics of lime enhance the already satiating character of a well-crafted light lager. Plus, we package our Mexican Lager in cans, which we think are the ideal vessels for sipping alongside sandy waterfronts or shaded backyard gardens, with or without an additional lime wedge.

We all have our favorite beverages, but who doesn’t like switching things up occasionally? Thankfully, our brewers feel the same way, crafting a different fruit wheat beer to suit the season. For those warmer poolside months, the bright, fresh Strawberry Pineapple Wheat dives headfirst into a luscious blend of highly refreshing flavors. Once the leaves turn and the holidays draw nigh, the jam-packed Cran Orange Wheat harvests a satisfying medley of fruit sensations built for cooler days. And both of our fruited wheat beers are brewed with real fruit purée for bursts of quenching flavor in every sip. So whether it’s summer or winter, you’ll have a beverage to match your mood.

There’s nothing better than enjoying a refreshing, fruit-forward beer at the ballpark. That’s why we’ve reimagined the style of a classic GLBC brand, Rally Drum, into Rally Drum Lemon Shandy. Previously brewed as a Premium Lager and Red Ale, Rally Drum’s newest iteration is an homage to all things baseball in Cleveland, and it continues the legacy left by John Adams. By loading our lager base with a hit of sweetness and lemon, we’ve crafted the perfect squeeze play. This seasonal brew that scores big when it comes to flavor.

Fruit beers are often light and delicate, made for sun-drenched lounging on idyllic afternoons. Juicy Vibacious Double IPA, on the other hand, is a completely different vibe. The newest member of the Vibacious Double IPA family is big in every sense of the word, packing a powerful punch at 9.5% ABV while maintaining big drinkability at just 40 IBUs. Even bigger is the real orange and lemon packed into every drop of those stunning, soundwave-inspired cans (especially when they’re 19.2 oz. Cans!) The citrusy and tropical aromas of Citra and Cashmere hops add an extra-juicy touch to this ridiculously drinkable year-round Double IPA.

If fruit beers are your favorite, you’ll love our newest 12-Pack! Fruit Madness Variety Pack includes three of each of the following, to bring you an array of fresh fruit flavors: Strawberry Pineapple Wheat, Rally Drum Lemon Shandy, Mexican Lager with Lime, and Rocket Pop Hard Seltzer.

Ready to peel open a pack of our fruit-forward brews? Use our Beer Finder to hunt down all our year round and seasonal brews at a store near you.

Want the latest buzz? Subscribe to our newsletter, Much Abrew, and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram for updates on all of our year-round, seasonal, and limited release beers. Keep up to date with brewpub releases and events at our Brewpub Instagram.

Questions? Email GLBCinfo@greatlakesbrewing.com for more information.

Words by Michael Williams
Pictures by Lily Switka and Mary Kate Healey

The bang of the drum. The roar of the crowd. The crack of the can! Another summer of Cleveland baseball is underway at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario. As longtime partners and fans of our hometown team, we’re excited to get to the ballpark to root for the good guys with a few fresh pours of GLBC beer. We’ve put together a handy guide so you’ll never miss a pitch trying to locate your favorite Great Lakes brew at Progressive Field.

Section 107

Pro tip: enter the ballpark via the Right Field Gate off E 9th Street and head to the Section 107 concession stand in the Right Field District. Here you’ll find draft pours of Midwest IPA and new Midwest Hazy IPA, the nicest one-two punch of hops to lead off your gameday experience. Lager lovers will enjoy draft pours of the summery, refreshing Mexican Lager with Lime and classic ballpark staple Dortmunder Gold Lager, as well as 19.2 oz. cans of highly touted local rookie Cold Rush Premium Light Lager. Plus, this bar is one of many locations to score 19.2 oz. cans of the new Rally Drum Lemon Shandy. Grab a brew and settle into the sunshine in the adjacent Heritage Plaza.

Additional Concourse Locations
After you’ve taken in that glorious first pitch and caught a couple innings with crooked numbers (for the Guards, of course!), it’ll be time for a fresh beer. Stretch your legs and walk in any direction – you won’t have trouble finding a GLBC brew no matter where you end up.

• Basking in the open-air Terrace Garden in Upper Left Field? Midwest IPA and Dortmunder Gold cans await in this beer garden-like atmosphere, with stellar views of the field and downtown Cleveland.
• On the move to meet up with friends? You’ll find Midwest Hazy IPA and Mexican Lager with Lime in the Upper Deck (Section 550), and Rally Drum Lemon Shandy in the Lower Deck Beer Tunnel (Section 162) and Hop Stop (Section 139).
• Check out the brand new Terrace Hub beer hall (open to all fans) to enjoy Cleveland’s original craft beer in a welcoming indoor-outdoor space with a distinct Cleveland feel.

Corner Bar, Clubs, & Suites
Few areas of our beloved ballpark have stronger vibes than The Corner Bar. Pop over during the seventh inning stretch to join your most enthusiastic fellow fans and bring the Guardians home to victory with a draft pour of Midwest IPA fresh from any of the three Corner Bar taps. If you’re lucky enough to have scored a spot in the Club Seats or a Suite, grab a Midwest IPA, Midwest Hazy IPA, or Dortmunder Gold Lager.

Extra Innings
Visit our iconic Ohio City brewpub before or after the game to enjoy Rally Drum Lemon Shandy and a winning lineup of special brews you won’t find anywhere else. Our gorgeous patio, indoor-outdoor beer garden, and cozy taproom and cellar hit for the cycle to create a perfect gameday experience. Make a reservation here. We welcome hometown and visiting fans on our brewery tours. Register here.

Play ball! Join us for a brew at Progressive Field this summer, or use our Beer Finder to track down our hometown brews everywhere our beer is sold.

FULL LIST OF LOCATIONS

Section 107 Bar
The Corner Bar (Right Field District)
Terrace Beer Hall (Above Terrace Hub)
Terrace Garden (Upper Left Field)
Hop Stop (Concourse, First Base Side)
Lower Deck (Section 162)
Upper Deck (Section 550)
Home Plate Club
Club Seats
Suites

Want the latest buzz? Subscribe to our newsletter, Much Abrew, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for updates on all of our year-round, seasonal, and limited release beers. Keep up to date with brewpub releases and events at our Brewpub Instagram, and with private event opportunities and Tasting Room happenings at our Event Space Instagram.

Questions? Email GLBCinfo@greatlakesbrewing.com for more information.