Alley Kat’s just released latest seasonal is an interesting departure: a blueberry wheat ale called Brewberry. Now, normally fruit beers are not my favourite beer. I find they tend to be the “eye candy” of beer – all prettied up with fruit but no real beer beneath. I realize that those beers are designed for drinkers of a more gentle palate – who are new to beer, want something closer to a cooler, or just aren’t that into bitter. Fair enough. Some fruit beer can be quite well made, I can attest. They are just not my cup of tea … er … pint of ale.

Well, I tried some Brewberry last night at the Homebrewers’ Guild meeting (yet another good reason to become a homebrewer…), and it pleasantly surprised me. I can say with confidence that this is a beer that all ranges of beer drinkers will appreciate. It pours a crisp pale gold with a lively white head. The aroma is fresh blueberries and soft wheat. The flavour is like blueberry pie – rounded, gentle and sweet. The blueberry is distinct, alive and summery. To balance, there is a gentle nibble of wheat in the back end, just to keep the beer from being one-dimensional and to contrast the fruitiness of the berry.

I found myself asking for a second sample, just to soak in that blueberry-ness again. And that is the marvel of this beer. The beer geeks at the Guild meeting were raving about, AND I am sure those who prefer coolers and a more fruit-based beverage will take a liking to it also. I say that with confidence because an acquaintance at a party a few days ago spoke of this new “blueberry beer” she just tried – she couldn’t remember the name – and she remarked at how good it was. It was only afterward that I figured out that she was talking about this beer.

So there you go. In music when a song hits the charts in two genres they call it a “crossover” hit. I guess that is what this beer is: a crossover. It is just now in stores and at the brewery, and should be around for a couple of months.