SPF is a Fruit Beer that’s brewed by Goose Island Beer Co., and for the purposes of this craft beer review, the ale was served in a tulip pint glass from a 12 oz. can.

Packaging art for the SPF by Goose Island Beer Co.

What You Need to Know

The SPF blends tropical fruit with a mild dose of hops and a light bready malt. The fruit flavor is sweet and the brew is balanced by a mild sourness. This ale straddles the middle between sweet and sour for a taste designed to appeal to the masses. So how was it? Let’s get to the review.

Appearance

The ale pours a relatively clear pale gold hue and is topped by a thick cap of dense, mousse-like white foam that shows good retention. The head’s reduction leaves a smattering of sticky lace on the sides of the glass.

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Aroma

The aroma is particularly strong but does offer a pleasant scent of tropical fruit and lightly sweet malt.

Flavor

The palate is led by lightly sweet malt that’s immediately followed by tart passionfruit. There’s a slight citrus hopping at the top and then the tasting mellows out with sweet notes of mango and pineapple.

Label art for the SPF by Goose Island Beer Co.

Mouthfeel

Its feel has a smooth draw with a crisp and moderately dry finish. The ale has a light body and moderate carbonation. The tart fruit is slightly acidic and lightly astringent.

Overall

Its appearance is fine and the aroma is pleasant, even if it is somewhat weak. The palate’s fruit flavor is balanced by its mild sourness but doesn’t approach that of a Berliner Weisse. The light body, tart fruit and dry finish definitely make this brew “thirst quenching”. Overall, the SPF is a suitable brew for hot summer days, and its lightly tart fruit flavor should be agreeable for most tastes.