Tesco says the popularity of European-style fruit brews is the fastest-growing beer trend in its stores, with volume sales increasing by 250% in a year.

The chain cited Belgian brands such as Fruli and Bacchus Kriek, British-brewed Jubel and Damm Lemon from Spain as leaders of the trend, mostly spurred by 4% abv brands consumed as post-exercise refreshment.

Beer buyer Ben Cole described it as “the biggest trend to hit the beer scene since the craft boom started more than 15 years ago”.

He added: “The trend actually has its roots in the craft beer movement because it introduced beers with tropical fruit profiles to more drinkers than ever before.

“For many people the craft movement changed the perception of what a beer could taste like and opened many drinkers’ palates to a wider range of styles.”

Jubel founder Jesse Wilson got the idea for his brand during a skiing trip to France, where he and friends were served beer with a shot of peach syrup.

Jesse Wilson said: “I thought that style of lager could be the perfectly refreshing pint in pubs and that’s where our business grew, with word of mouth spreading rapidly, to the point where it seems our flagship peach lager is now the fifth biggest craft beer in the on-trade, based on CGA reported volumes.

“We are incredibly excited that retailers like Tesco see this as the biggest trend to hit beer since the craft beer movement, and we’re pumped to be pioneering it.”