LCBO Food & Drink Spring 2025

BEER Juiced Up

Imported and domestic, fruit beers are trending. As palates shift to spring, new flavours come bursting forward. Think berries, stone fruit and tropical notes—all worth discovering.

BY JORDAN ST. JOHN ————— PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES TSE

Brewers are always trying to find ways to introduce new flavours into their beers—malt and hops can only take them so far. With its huge variety, fruit is a natural to invite to the party. There are so many ways to include fruit in beer the options are almost limitless. Whatever your favourite fruit flavour, brewers can customize the beer in your glass to ensure you’ll find something you truly enjoy.

Ripe and Light for the Season

Waterloo Pineapple Radler (LCBO 15100, 473 mL, $3.25) is an equal blend of Waterloo’s lager and pineapple juice, one of a number of radlers made by the brewery. Pump House Crafty Radler Grapefruit & Tangerine (LCBO 556753, 473 mL, $3.50) features a combination of grapefruit and tangerine for a burst of citrus flavour (and a cheeky raccoon mascot on the label).

Stiegl Grapefruit Radler (LCBO 334052, 500 mL, $3.95) is a classic of the style. It’s made up of 40 per cent Stiegl’s popular Goldbräu, then balanced with grapefruit soda, resulting in a long, tart, cool drink. Royal City Peach Radler (LCBO 38796, 473 mL, $3.45) pulls together a house made peach soda and Exhibition Session IPA to quench and delight.

Perhaps the easiest way to add fruit to a beer is simply to blend the beer with fruit juice. Radler is a German invention that was very popular with cyclists. Since it’s half beer and half juice, it’s usually fairly low in alcohol, making it a delicious and responsible choice on a hot day.

FOOD STYLING BY CHRISTOPHER ST. ONGE; PROP STYLING BY STACEY SMITHERS

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SPRING 2025 ————————