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Cran Orange Wheat

Great Lakes Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · Fruit Wheat Ale · One of 25 Fruit Wheat Ales in hopIQ

The autumn member of the brewery's fruited wheat line, first released in September 2023 and brought back each fall since. Two-row malt, wheat and honey malt with Mt. Hood hops form the base; juice concentrates of both fruits go in with natural fruit flavors. It pours a hazy amber with a pink tint. Tart cranberry and sweet orange share the nose over soft, bready grain. The palate plays citrus sweetness against a bright, berry-like tartness, bitterness is low, and the finish is crisp.

ABV
5.5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter17 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Medium body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Gently sweet notes.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Crisp and mildly bitter.

Trim and gentle — the beer moves through with an unforced, easy rhythm.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Fruit Wheat Ale.
Hop character
citrusy
orange
Fermentation & yeast
fruity
tart
Distinctive notes
hazy
berry
Malt character
breadywheat

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Cran Orange Wheat

◎ Appearance

A hazy amber pour with a distinctive pink tint, the result of cranberry and orange fruit additions. The head builds soft and dissipates moderately, leaving a light lacing around the glass. Bright carbonation is visible throughout, characteristic of an active wheat ale.

hazy amberpink-tingedsoft carbonation

◌ Aroma

Tart cranberry leads the nose, mingling with sweet orange zest and candied citrus notes. Beneath the fruit sits a soft, bready grain character supported by gentle honey malt undertones. Mt. Hood hops remain restrained, contributing only a subtle herbal whisper to the aromatic profile.

tart cranberrysweet orangebready grainherbal subtlety

◐ Taste

The palate balances citrus sweetness against a bright, berry-like tartness that evolves through the mid-palate. Bitterness is deliberately low at 17 IBU, allowing the fruit character and soft malt structure to dominate. The finish turns crisp and clean, with the tart notes lingering pleasantly without becoming harsh.

citrus sweetnessberry tartnesslow bitternesscrisp finish

◑ Finish

A short to medium finish with lingering tartness and a clean, refreshing aftertaste. The wheat ale's natural effervescence contributes to the drying sensation that concludes each sip.

tart persistencerefreshingclean fade
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
77
Appearance
78
Finish
76
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Cran Orange Wheat

Serve at 6–9°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 6–9°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Cran Orange Wheat

About Fruit Wheat Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Fruit Wheat Ale?

Fruit Wheat Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Fruit Wheat Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same fruity, crisp, hazy character as Cran Orange Wheat will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Fruit Wheat Ales in hopIQ

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