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Have You Tried These Unusual Beer Flavors?
Beer is one of the oldest and most popular alcoholic beverages in the world, enjoyed by millions of people in different cultures and contexts. While most beers share some basic ingredients such as water, malted grains, hops, and yeast, they can vary greatly in taste, color, aroma, and strength depending on the recipe, the brewing process, and the local traditions. From light lagers to dark stouts, from hoppy IPAs to sour ales, from classic styles to experimental brews, beer offers a vast and diverse landscape of flavors and sensations.
However, some brewers and beer enthusiasts like to push the boundaries of what beer can be and experiment with unusual ingredients, techniques, and concepts that challenge the norms and expectations of the beer world. These crazy beers may sound weird, disgusting, or intriguing depending on your perspective, but they show how creative and playful the beer community can be. In this blog post, we invite you to explore some of the craziest beer flavors we’ve ever tried or heard of, and see if you dare to taste them too.
Before we start, let’s clarify what we mean by “crazy” beer flavors. We don’t mean flavors that are illegal, dangerous, or harmful, such as beers with toxic chemicals, drugs, or pathogens. We also don’t mean flavors that are simply rare, exotic, or expensive, such as beers made with rare hops, fruits, or spices that are hard to find or grow. While these types of beers may also be interesting or unusual, they are not necessarily crazy in the sense of being unexpected, bizarre, or unconventional. Rather, crazy beer flavors are those that challenge our preconceptions of what beer should taste like, and may elicit a strong emotional or visceral response from us, either positive or negative. The following list of crazy beer flavors is not exhaustive or definitive, but rather a sample of some of the wildest, weirdest, and wackiest beers we’ve encountered or imagined.
1. Pizza beer
Yes, you read that right. Pizza beer is a real thing, and it’s not a joke (or at least not entirely). Several breweries have tried to create a beer that tastes like pizza, either by adding actual pizza ingredients such as tomato, basil, garlic, oregano, and cheese to the beer, or by using a blend of herbs and spices that mimic the flavors of pizza sauce and toppings. While the idea of drinking a liquid pizza may sound gross or gimmicky, some pizza beer fans claim that it actually works as a refreshing and satisfying drink that complements or replaces pizza itself. One of the most famous pizza beers is Mamma Mia’s Pizza Beer, brewed by Tom and Athena Seefurth, who claim to have developed the recipe to pair with their homemade pizzas. The beer, which is made with tomato paste, garlic, basil, oregano, and other spices, has a dark amber color, a malty aroma, and a spicy, savory, and slightly acidic taste that resembles a hybrid between a red ale and a pizza sauce. Some reviewers have praised the beer for its uniqueness, while others have criticized it as too gimmicky or artificial.
2. Bacon beer
If you’re a fan of bacon, you may be intrigued by the idea of combining its smoky, salty, and savory flavor with beer. Several breweries have tried to do just that, by adding bacon bits, bacon fat, bacon syrup, or bacon extract to their beers, or by smoking the malt grains with bacon or other meats. The result is typically a brown or black beer with a strong bacon aroma and taste that may vary depending on the type and amount of bacon used. Some bacon beers also feature other flavors that complement or contrast the bacon, such as coffee, chocolate, maple, or hops. One of the most popular bacon beers is Rogue Ales’ Voodoo Doughnut Bacon Maple Ale, which is brewed with real maple syrup, applewood smoked bacon, and vanilla extract. The beer, which has a pale amber color, a sweet and smoky aroma, and a slightly cloying and bacon-y taste, was created in collaboration with Voodoo Doughnut, a chain of eccentric doughnut shops in Portland, Oregon, and is often served with a doughnut on top.
3. Oyster beer
Now, this may sound a bit fishy, but oyster beer is actually a traditional and popular style in some parts of the world, including Ireland, England, and Belgium. Oyster stout, in particular, is a dark and creamy beer that is brewed with oysters or oyster shells, which are added to the fermenting mixture to provide minerals, salinity, and umami flavors that complement the roasted grains and hops. The use of oysters in beer may date back to the 18th century, when oysters were cheap and abundant in coastal towns and were often eaten as a snack or a side dish with beer. Today, oyster beer is still made by some craft breweries that specialize in experimental or local flavors, and can be found in bars and restaurants that appreciate its briny and earthy character. One example of a modern oyster stout is Flying Dog Brewery’s Pearl Necklace Oyster Stout, which is brewed with Rappahannock River oysters, chocolate malt, roasted barley, and hops, and has a black color, a roasted and salty aroma, and a silky and savory taste that blends chocolate, coffee, and oyster flavors.
4. Chili beer
If you like your beer spicy, you may want to try a chili beer, which is brewed with chili peppers or chili powder that give the beer a fiery heat and a distinct flavor. Chili beers can vary in intensity from mild to burning, depending on the type and amount of chili used, and can be used as a base for other styles such as lager, ale, or stout. Some chili beers also feature other spices or fruits that balance or enhance the chili, such as lime, coriander, ginger, or mango. Some beer lovers enjoy chili beers as a way to warm up in cold weather, to challenge their taste buds, or to pair with spicy foods such as Mexican or Indian cuisine. One of the most famous chili beers is Cave Creek Chili Beer, made by Arizona’s Chili Beer Company, which is a light and clear beer that is brewed with serrano chili peppers that are stuffed inside each bottle. The beer, which is available in mild, hot, and extra hot versions, has a bright yellow color, a fruity and herbal aroma, and a burning and tangy taste that lingers on the tongue.
5. Meat beer
Yes, we’re going there. Meat beer is a type of beer that is made with actual meat or meat products as part of the recipe, using either raw meat that is boiled or smoked, or meat that is minced and mixed with other ingredients such as beer, grains, or spices. Meat beers can have a wide range of flavors and textures, depending on the meat used, butchers and cooks often prefer to use lean and mild meats such as chicken, beef, or lamb, rather than fatty or strong meats such as pork or game, which may overpower the beer. Meat beers may also pose some health risks if the meat is not cooked or preserved properly, or if the beer is contaminated with bacteria or pathogens, such as botulism or salmonella. Therefore, meat beers are not recommended for novice brewers or drinkers, and should be consumed with caution and care. One of the most unusual meat beers we’ve ever heard of is Brew Dogs’ The End of History, which is not only made with stuffed animal carcasses, but also has an ABV of 55%, making it one of the strongest beers in the world. However, this beer is more of a conceptual art piece than a real beer, and is not available for sale or consumption.
6. Hemp beer
Hemp beer is a type of beer that is made with hemp seeds, hemp oils, or hemp extracts, which are derived from the cannabis plant that is also used for marijuana. However, hemp beer does not contain THC, the psychoactive compound that gives marijuana its intoxicating effects, so it is legal and safe to drink. Hemp beer has been praised for its nutty, earthy, and herbal flavors, as well as for its potential health benefits, such as reducing inflammation, promoting relaxation, and improving digestion. Some breweries also claim that hemp beer is more eco-friendly than other beers, as hemp is a fast-growing and renewable crop that requires less water and pesticides than barley or wheat. Hemp beer may come in different styles, such as lagers, ales, or IPAs, and may also feature other natural ingredients that complement or contrast the hemp, such as citrus or pine. One example of a hemp beer is Humboldt Brewing’s Hemp Ale, which is a golden and hoppy beer that is brewed with toasted hemp seeds, hemp flour, and hops, and has a sweet and nutty aroma and a crisp and bitter taste that blends lemon, pine, and malt.
7. Sour beer
Okay, this may not be as crazy as the other beers on this list, but sour beer is still a unique and intriguing style that challenges the traditional notions of what beer should taste like. Sour beer is a type of beer that is intentionally infected with microorganisms that produce lactic acid, acetic acid, or other organic acids that give the beer a tart, sour, or acidic flavor. Sour beer may be made by exposing the fermenting beer to wild yeasts or bacteria that live in the air or in wooden barrels, or by adding souring agents such as lactobacillus or pediococcus to the fermenting mix. Sour beer may also be aged or blended with other beers to develop more complex and subtle flavors, or to balance the sourness with sweetness, fruitiness, or oakiness. Sour beer may be a love-it-or-hate-it style, as some beer drinkers find it too sour or funky, while others appreciate it as a refreshing and exciting alternative to conventional beers. One example of a sour beer is Lindemans Framboise, which is a Belgian lambic beer that is fermented with raspberries and aged in oak barrels. The beer, which has a bright red color, a strong raspberry aroma, and a puckering and sweet-and-sour taste that mixes fruit, wood, and yeast, is often served as a dessert beer or paired with chocolate or cheesecake.
These are just some of the craziest beer flavors we’ve ever come across. Of course, there are many other weird and wild beers out there, waiting to be discovered or invented. The beer world is a vast and dynamic universe that is constantly evolving and surprising us with new tastes, trends, and experiments. Whether you prefer your beer classic or crazy, light or strong, hoppy or malty, there’s a beer for every palate and preference. So next time you’re at a beer festival, a bar, or a brewery, don’t be afraid to try something unusual or unexpected. Who knows, you may discover a new favorite beer that you never thought you’d like. Cheers!
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