Oddside Fruitsicle 4Pk

Oddside Fruitsicle 4Pk is a mixed-fermentation fruit sour ale from Odd Side Ales, brewed at 4.5% ABV and sold in a convenient four-pack format. What distinguishes this beer from the crowded fruit sour category is its use of Brettanomyces, Lactobacillus, and Pediococcus alongside lactose — a combination that delivers genuine wild-yeast complexity wrapped in a milkshake-like body. Individual Fruitsicle variants have earned strong community ratings, with the Black and Blueberry expression reaching up to 4.09 out of 5 on BeerAdvocate.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.5%  |  Origin: Grand Haven, Michigan  |  Style: Mixed Fermentation Fruit Sour with Lactose  |  Brewery: Odd Side Ales

Production & Heritage

Odd Side Ales operates out of Grand Haven, Michigan, a brewery known for its adventurous approach to fermentation and flavor. The Fruitsicle line undergoes mixed fermentation using a trio of organisms — Brettanomyces (wild yeast), Lactobacillus, and Pediococcus (both lactic acid bacteria) — which generate layered tartness and funky depth well beyond what a standard kettle sour achieves. Lactose is then added to the recipe, contributing unfermentable sugars that round out the acidity with a creamy, dessert-like sweetness. This dual approach — wild fermentation for complexity, lactose for body — is the defining signature of the Fruitsicle series.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe, jammy fruit — blackberries and blueberries dominate — followed by a wheaty cereal undertone. A faint vanilla sweetness emerges as the beer warms in the glass.

Taste: The first sip lands with bright blueberry and blackberry, quickly joined by a squeeze of lemon acidity at mid-palate. The lactose rounds the mouthfeel into something silky and almost milkshake-like, with subtle biscuit and vanilla notes appearing beneath the fruit. The overall impression is super jammy but never cloying, with the Brett and lacto cultures keeping the sweetness in check.

Finish: Medium in length with a gentle lactic tang that lingers alongside residual berry sweetness. The creamy texture fades cleanly, leaving just enough tartness to prompt another sip.

How to Drink Fruitsicle

Pour into a tulip glass or wide-mouth stemless glass to capture the aromatic fruit notes; serve cold, around 38–42°F. Fruitsicle is built for drinking straight from the can or glass, but its jammy sweetness and low ABV also make it a surprisingly effective beer cocktail base. Try it in a Berliner Shandy — combined with lemonade for a porch-friendly refresher. It also works in a Beer Mimosa, where the fruit sour replaces champagne and amplifies fresh orange juice. For something more adventurous, use it in a Sour Beer Float with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, leaning into the milkshake character the lactose already suggests.

Best For

• Introducing craft-curious friends to the sour beer category without overwhelming acidity
• Summer cookouts and backyard sessions where low ABV keeps the afternoon going
• Pairing alongside a dessert course at a casual dinner party
• Gift packs for fruit beer enthusiasts exploring mixed-fermentation styles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Fruitsicle taste like? Fruitsicle delivers a jammy burst of blueberry and blackberry balanced by a creamy, milkshake-like body from the lactose addition. Underneath the fruit, there is gentle lemon acidity, vanilla, and biscuit from the mixed fermentation process.

How does Fruitsicle compare to Funky Buddha Tart Shake? Both beers balance creamy texture with fruit tartness, but Fruitsicle achieves its complexity through mixed fermentation with Brettanomyces, Lactobacillus, and Pediococcus, giving it a funkier, more layered profile. Funky Buddha Tart Shake tends to lean heavier on the milkshake sweetness, while Fruitsicle keeps a sharper lactic edge.

Is Fruitsicle good for sour beer beginners? Yes — the lactose softens the tartness considerably, making it one of the more approachable mixed-fermentation sours available. At 4.5% ABV, it is also light enough for easy, low-commitment exploration.

Where is Fruitsicle made? Fruitsicle is brewed by Odd Side Ales in Grand Haven, Michigan, a lakeside city on the western coast of the state. The brewery is recognized throughout the Michigan craft beer scene for its experimental fermentation programs.

What foods pair well with Fruitsicle? Soft, tangy goat cheese highlights the beer's lactic character. Grilled pork with a berry glaze mirrors the jammy fruit notes. A lemon tart or cheesecake complements the lactose sweetness without clashing. Fried chicken benefits from the acidity cutting through the richness. Fresh summer fruit salad creates a harmonious, berry-forward pairing.

What sizes does Fruitsicle come in? The Fruitsicle series is commonly available in four-pack can formats; specific can sizes may vary by release and variant.

Is Fruitsicle worth the price? Fruitsicle positions as a mid-range craft sour, and the mixed-fermentation process involving multiple organisms justifies its pricing within the category. For drinkers who typically gravitate toward kettle sours, the added Brett and lacto complexity represents a meaningful step up in quality.

Why Fruitsicle?

Most fruit sours on the market rely on simple kettle souring — a fast, controlled process that produces clean acidity but limited depth. Fruitsicle takes the longer road, fermenting with Brettanomyces, Lactobacillus, and Pediococcus to build genuine wild-culture character before layering in lactose for its distinctive creamy body. That combination of funky complexity and approachable, milkshake-like texture at just 4.5% ABV is uncommon in commercially available four-packs. With individual variants earning up to 4.09 out of 5 on BeerAdvocate, this is a series that has earned repeat attention from the craft community — not through hype, but through a fermentation approach most breweries at this price point simply do not attempt.