Ever heard of a beermosa? A beermosa is a refreshing mix of beer and orange juice. It’s a less fussy alternative to traditional champagne-based drinks, and a bit less cloying (yes, we know big words). And with Diebolt Brewing’s new orange-infused saison hitting the shelves, there’s never been a better time to try this citrusy beverage. But what exactly is a beermosa, and how do you make the perfect one?

What’s a Beermosa?

A beermosa is a simple yet delicious cocktail made by combining beer with orange juice. It’s often served in the morning or early afternoon, much like a mimosa, but offers a more complex flavor profile depending on the type of beer used.

Why Is Beermosa a Thing?

Beermosas have been around for a while. There’s even a “legend” that a beermosa cures a hangover. They’re growing in popularity thanks to craft breweries experimenting with citrus-forward beers. The natural carbonation in beer pairs well with the acidity of orange juice, creating a crisp and refreshing drink perfect for brunch, summer afternoons, or any time you want a light, fruity twist on your favorite brew.

What Beer Should You Use for a Beermosa?

For a beermosa, which is a fun twist on the classic mimosa, you’ll want to choose a beer that complements the citrusy, fruity flavors of the orange juice without overpowering it. A light, crisp, and refreshing beer works best. Here are a few types of beer that are great choices:

1. Wheat Beer – It has a light and smooth flavor, with hints of citrus, making it a great match for the orange juice in a beermosa.
   
2. Pilsner – A pilsner is another light and crisp beer with a clean taste that won’t compete with the orange juice flavor.
   
3. Blonde Ale – Slightly malty but still light, a blonde ale offers a mild taste that pairs well with the refreshing citrus notes.
   
4. Lager – A pale lager, like a helles lager, is a clean, smooth beer that won’t overpower the citrus and will maintain a refreshing vibe.
   
5. Hazy IPA – although we wouldn’t really recommend a West Coast IPA, a hazy East Coast one would do just fine. They’re often described as “juicy” and they are quite a bit less hoppy than West Coast varieties, so go for it.
   
6. Saison – Saisons have a bright, slightly spicy character that complements the citrusy sweetness of orange juice. AND, by no coincidence whatsoever, we happen to have a delightful saison that is infused with heaps of Sumo Mandarin and tangelo peel and FORTY TWO GALLONS of juice.

Diebolt’s sexy switchblade saison: Rindhouse III. 

Is Beermosa Stronger Than a Mimosa?

It depends on the beer you use. Mimosas typically contain champagne or prosecco, which has an ABV of around 12%. Most beers used in beermosas range from 4% to 7% ABV, making them slightly weaker. However, if you opt for a high-ABV craft beer, your beermosa could be as strong or stronger than a mimosa. You can also spike it, like we do, with an orange liqueur to punch up the ABV. 

What Orange Juice Should You Use in a Beermosa?

When making a beermosa, the choice between pulp or no pulp orange juice typically comes down to personal preference, but most people tend to go for no pulp orange juice. This creates a smoother, more refreshing drink that allows the beer’s mouthfeel to shine without any texture interference from the pulp.

However, if you’re one of those weird people who likes chewing what they drink, pulp is fine, too. Gives it more of a “fresh squeezed” vibe.

What Kind of Glass Do You Use for a Beermosa?

A traditional mimosa is served in a champagne flute, but a beermosa does better in a pint glass, Weizen glass, or even a stemmed tulip glass. These allow for proper aeration and showcase the beer’s carbonation and aroma.

Do You Drink A Beermosa With Ice?

Jesus, no. You don’t drink beer with ice, do you? The orange juice is already gonna dilute the bubbles quite a bit, don’t water it down more with, well, water. Use ice cold beer and ice cold orange juice and serve it in a cold glass. 

Beermosa Recipe

Ingredients:

1 can Diebolt Rindhouse III Switchblade Saison (or whatever other light beer you choose)

4 oz orange juice

0.5 oz Cointreau (ooh la la)

Sprig of fresh rosemary for garnish

Directions:

Put an 8 oz glass in the freezer for, like, 45 minutes. When you’re ready for your bevvy, remove the glass and fill it halfway with cold orange juice. Add in the 0.5 oz of Cointreau. Crack open the can of beer and pour it in with the glass tilted at an angle until it is full. Garnish with the rosemary and now you may drink it. 

Game Face, Bro.

Come celebrate Rockies Opening Day with us on April 12. The festivities kick off at 12pm on the Diebolt Patio. We’ll have cornhole and Hammerschlagen (whoever thought to give drinking people a hammer and a nail is beyond me, but gosh if it isn’t fun). We’ll also get you a FREE hot dog with a beer purchase–and we’ll have a new one for you to try. Check out our Facebook page to learn more. Hope to see you there! 

The Diebolt Crew

We're a family-owned craft brewery serving Denver, Colorado since 2013. We love making beer, talking about beer, thinking about beer, and especially drinking beer.

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