Virtual Craft Beer Tasting Club » Discussions

Fruit Beer & Lambic Tasting - August, 2012

• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  August 1, 2012

  For August's Craft Beer Tasting we will be tasting Fruit Beers & Lambics. Any fruit beer or fruit lambic is acceptable. For those of you new to fruit beers I think you'll be surprised by some of these awesome craft beers. Long live the fruit!
  
  Some examples you may wish to try, but are not limited to, are: New Glarus Raspberry Tart, Odell Friek, Founders Blushing Monk, Liefman's Frambozenbier, Liefman's Kriekbier, Shipyard Smashed Blueberry, Dry Dock Apricot Ale, Samuel Smith's Organic Raspberry Fruit Beer, Bitter Root Huckleberry Honey Ale, Drie Fonteinen Framboos, Cantillon Lou Pepe, Southampton Black Raspberry Lambic, De Cam Geuzestekerij Oude Kriek De Cam, Allagash Coolship Red, Upland Kiwi Lambic & Lindemans Kriek Cuvée René.
  
  Suggested glassware: flute, tulip, snifter, oversized wine glass, stange

  For August's Craft Beer Tasting we will be tasting Fruit Beers & Lambics. Any fruit beer or fruit lambic is acceptable. For those of you new to fruit beers I think you'll be surprised by some of these awesome craft beers. Long live the fruit! Some examples you may wish to try, but are not limited to, are: New Glarus Raspberry Tart, Odell Friek, Founders Blushing Monk, Liefman's Frambozenbier, Liefman's Kriekbier, Shipyard Smashed Blueberry, Dry Dock Apricot Ale, Samuel Smith's Organic Raspberry Fruit Beer, Bitter Root Huckleberry Honey Ale, Drie Fonteinen Framboos, Cantillon Lou Pepe, Southampton Black Raspberry Lambic, De Cam Geuzestekerij Oude Kriek De Cam, Allagash Coolship Red, Upland Kiwi Lambic & Lindemans Kriek Cuvée René. Suggested glassware: flute, tulip, snifter, oversized wine glass, stange
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  August 1, 2012

  Dry Dock Apricot Blonde Ale
  Dry Dock Brewing Company, Aurora, CO
  Fruit beer, 22 ounce bottle, 5.1% ABV
  
  The Apricot Blonde Ale from Dry Dock Brewing Company in Aurora, Colorado pours out an orangey brown in color, sort of like a dried apricot, with some cloud and is topped with a two finger, white head that slowly reduces down to a film with a quarter inch collar. The nose of this beer is spectacular. If you took a barrel and filled it half way up with freshly cut, tree ripened apricots and then stuck your head in the barrel you'd get the aroma coming out of the glass in front of me. Add in some dried apricot and a little yeast. It's almost like your nose can feel the fuzz of the apricot skin. In the mouth, lovely apricot flavors, but not overdone, along with a touch of cream, mild sweetness and a little yeast. Light side of medium bodied. Low side of moderate carbonation. Some lacing on the glass. Slight creaminess to the mouthfeel. Dry and slightly tart right at the end on a good length finish.
  
  When it comes to fruit beers this is spot on. Redolent fruit aromas on the nose with restrained, yet prevalent fruit flavors in the mouth. Dry Dock has another stellar brew on their hand here. Highly recommended.

  Dry Dock Apricot Blonde Ale Dry Dock Brewing Company, Aurora, CO Fruit beer, 22 ounce bottle, 5.1% ABV The Apricot Blonde Ale from Dry Dock Brewing Company in Aurora, Colorado pours out an orangey brown in color, sort of like a dried apricot, with some cloud and is topped with a two finger, white head that slowly reduces down to a film with a quarter inch collar. The nose of this beer is spectacular. If you took a barrel and filled it half way up with freshly cut, tree ripened apricots and then stuck your head in the barrel you'd get the aroma coming out of the glass in front of me. Add in some dried apricot and a little yeast. It's almost like your nose can feel the fuzz of the apricot skin. In the mouth, lovely apricot flavors, but not overdone, along with a touch of cream, mild sweetness and a little yeast. Light side of medium bodied. Low side of moderate carbonation. Some lacing on the glass. Slight creaminess to the mouthfeel. Dry and slightly tart right at the end on a good length finish. When it comes to fruit beers this is spot on. Redolent fruit aromas on the nose with restrained, yet prevalent fruit flavors in the mouth. Dry Dock has another stellar brew on their hand here. Highly recommended.
• Saint

  

  Member
   

  August 2, 2012

  Abita Purple Haze Malt Beverage with Raspberries Added
  Abita Brewing Company, Abita Springs, LA
  Fruit Beer, 12 ounce bottle, 4.2% ABV
  
  The Abita Purple Haze from Abita Brewing Company in Abita Springs, LA pours with a light reddish hue to it. The head was not long lasting at all and the nose was similar to a children's raspberry flavored cold medicine.
  The nose didn't do the palate any favors. The beer is light in body with a slight tasting note of fresh raspberries. It is light in body, color and flavor but a good combination for a "lawn mower" beer. Refreshing and not cloying at all, like many fruit beers can be.
  
  Fruit beers can be one of three types, in my experience: Too much fruit, not enough fruit or just the right balance of fruit and beer. This one is a good example of the latter type. I would recommend it for a good summer thirst quencher.

  Abita Purple Haze Malt Beverage with Raspberries Added Abita Brewing Company, Abita Springs, LA Fruit Beer, 12 ounce bottle, 4.2% ABV The Abita Purple Haze from Abita Brewing Company in Abita Springs, LA pours with a light reddish hue to it. The head was not long lasting at all and the nose was similar to a children's raspberry flavored cold medicine. The nose didn't do the palate any favors. The beer is light in body with a slight tasting note of fresh raspberries. It is light in body, color and flavor but a good combination for a "lawn mower" beer. Refreshing and not cloying at all, like many fruit beers can be. Fruit beers can be one of three types, in my experience: Too much fruit, not enough fruit or just the right balance of fruit and beer. This one is a good example of the latter type. I would recommend it for a good summer thirst quencher.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  August 2, 2012

  Brouwerij Lindemans Cassis Lambic
  Brouwerij Lindemans, Vlezenbeek, Belgium
  Fruit Lambic, 355ml bottle, 4.0% ABV
  
  The Cassis Lambic from Brouwerij Lindemans in Vlezenbeek, Belgium pours out a dark cherry red in color and is topped with a large, purplish-pink colored head that slowly reduces down to a film with nice collar. On the nose, aromas of grape juice, black currant, light funk and a little earthiness. In the mouth, flavors of sweet and very tart black currant, some grape juice and a little earthy funk. Medium bodied. Fine carbonation. Crisp mouthfeel. Thick sheets of lacing on the glass. The finish is long, tart and full of berries.
  
  A good fruit lambic, but not overly complex. Big on the fruit flavors and enough tartness to override any sweet. A good beer to drink by itself or to pair with a chocolate dessert or plain cheesecake. Recommended.

  Brouwerij Lindemans Cassis Lambic Brouwerij Lindemans, Vlezenbeek, Belgium Fruit Lambic, 355ml bottle, 4.0% ABV The Cassis Lambic from Brouwerij Lindemans in Vlezenbeek, Belgium pours out a dark cherry red in color and is topped with a large, purplish-pink colored head that slowly reduces down to a film with nice collar. On the nose, aromas of grape juice, black currant, light funk and a little earthiness. In the mouth, flavors of sweet and very tart black currant, some grape juice and a little earthy funk. Medium bodied. Fine carbonation. Crisp mouthfeel. Thick sheets of lacing on the glass. The finish is long, tart and full of berries. A good fruit lambic, but not overly complex. Big on the fruit flavors and enough tartness to override any sweet. A good beer to drink by itself or to pair with a chocolate dessert or plain cheesecake. Recommended.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  August 4, 2012

  Brouwerij Lindemans Framboise Lambic
  Brouwerij Lindemans, Vlezenbeek, Belgium
  Fruit Lambic, 355ml bottle, 4.0% ABV
  
  The Framboise Lambic from Brouwerij Lindemans in Vlezenbeek, Belgium pours out deep beet red in color with some purple hues and is topped with a large, pink colored, tightly knit head that dissipates quite quickly to a thick film with a collar. On the nose, aromas of fresh raspberry, raspberry jam, yeast and slight sourness. In the mouth, flavors of fresh raspberry juice with some sour cherry and a little woody, earthiness. Sweet and tart. Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Slight syrup to the mouthfeel. Some lacing on the glass. A long finish packed with raspberry flavor that ends with a pucker of tartness.
  
  Like the Cassis Lambic I had yesterday, a good fruit lambic without being overly complex. Excellent real fruit flavor. Recommended.

  Brouwerij Lindemans Framboise Lambic Brouwerij Lindemans, Vlezenbeek, Belgium Fruit Lambic, 355ml bottle, 4.0% ABV The Framboise Lambic from Brouwerij Lindemans in Vlezenbeek, Belgium pours out deep beet red in color with some purple hues and is topped with a large, pink colored, tightly knit head that dissipates quite quickly to a thick film with a collar. On the nose, aromas of fresh raspberry, raspberry jam, yeast and slight sourness. In the mouth, flavors of fresh raspberry juice with some sour cherry and a little woody, earthiness. Sweet and tart. Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Slight syrup to the mouthfeel. Some lacing on the glass. A long finish packed with raspberry flavor that ends with a pucker of tartness. Like the Cassis Lambic I had yesterday, a good fruit lambic without being overly complex. Excellent real fruit flavor. Recommended.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  August 5, 2012

  Boulder Kinda Blue Blueberry Wheat Beer
  Boulder Beer Company, Boulder, Colorado
  Fruit Beer, 12 ounce bottle, 5.5% ABV, Enjoy by OCT 24 2012
  
  The Kinda Blue Blueberry Wheat Beer from Boulder Beer Company in Boulder, Colorado pours out a light copper in color with good clarity and is topped with a long staying, one finger, tightly knit, snow white head. On the nose, bread, wheat, hay, fruity sweetness and a little funky blueberry. In the mouth, this tastes like a pretty good wheat beer but the sweetness from the fruit seems more distracting than helping. Flavors of grain, sweet fruit (that becomes recognizable as blueberry right at the end), light spice and caramel. Light bodied. Moderate carbonation. Little lacing on the glass. Clean mouthfeel. Moderate length finish that is slightly sweet with blueberry accents at the end.
  
  Not my kind of fruit beer. The fruit is way too subtle and while I understand, in this beer, it is supposed to be that way but, I am not getting the point of adding just enough fruit to a beer to make you guess as to what was added. I am sure there will be others that like this craft beer and this style of fruit beer but it is not for me.

  Boulder Kinda Blue Blueberry Wheat Beer Boulder Beer Company, Boulder, Colorado Fruit Beer, 12 ounce bottle, 5.5% ABV, Enjoy by OCT 24 2012 The Kinda Blue Blueberry Wheat Beer from Boulder Beer Company in Boulder, Colorado pours out a light copper in color with good clarity and is topped with a long staying, one finger, tightly knit, snow white head. On the nose, bread, wheat, hay, fruity sweetness and a little funky blueberry. In the mouth, this tastes like a pretty good wheat beer but the sweetness from the fruit seems more distracting than helping. Flavors of grain, sweet fruit (that becomes recognizable as blueberry right at the end), light spice and caramel. Light bodied. Moderate carbonation. Little lacing on the glass. Clean mouthfeel. Moderate length finish that is slightly sweet with blueberry accents at the end. Not my kind of fruit beer. The fruit is way too subtle and while I understand, in this beer, it is supposed to be that way but, I am not getting the point of adding just enough fruit to a beer to make you guess as to what was added. I am sure there will be others that like this craft beer and this style of fruit beer but it is not for me.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  August 10, 2012

  Hanssens Lambic Experimental Raspberry Ale
  Hanssens Artisanaal, Dworp, Belgium
  Fruit Lambic, 12.7 ounce bottle, 6.0% ABV
  
  The Lambic Experimental Raspberry from Hanssens Artisanaal in Dworp, Belgium pours out peach in color with good clarity and no head at all. On the nose, lovely sour raspberry aromas with a little lemon, oak and funk. In the mouth, sour from beginning to end with hints of tart raspberry, funk, some green apple and faint vanilla. Light bodied. No carbonation - still. Crisp, sharp mouthfeel. The finish is long, dry and very tart to the point your mouth puckers.
  
  An excellent beer with volumes of sourness, hints of fruit and lovely dryness. A thirst quencher for sure. Definitely not for the timid or as a first choice when you delve into sour brews but if you like sour ales you will love this. Recommended.

  Hanssens Lambic Experimental Raspberry Ale Hanssens Artisanaal, Dworp, Belgium Fruit Lambic, 12.7 ounce bottle, 6.0% ABV The Lambic Experimental Raspberry from Hanssens Artisanaal in Dworp, Belgium pours out peach in color with good clarity and no head at all. On the nose, lovely sour raspberry aromas with a little lemon, oak and funk. In the mouth, sour from beginning to end with hints of tart raspberry, funk, some green apple and faint vanilla. Light bodied. No carbonation - still. Crisp, sharp mouthfeel. The finish is long, dry and very tart to the point your mouth puckers. An excellent beer with volumes of sourness, hints of fruit and lovely dryness. A thirst quencher for sure. Definitely not for the timid or as a first choice when you delve into sour brews but if you like sour ales you will love this. Recommended.
• KajII

  

  Member
   

  August 25, 2012

  Boon "Kriek"
  Brouwerij F. Boon - Lembeek, Belgium
  Lambic (ABV 5%)
  
  [Suggested Glassware: Flute]
  
  Rating: 3.6/5.0
  
  The pour was a murky dark cranberry red with a very small (almost non-existent) light pink fizzy head that was fully diminishing in just a few seconds and had no lacing to speak of.
  
  The aroma was all about the cherries with a mild caramel malt and a sweet yeast and had a hint of candi-sugar and a slight sour odor.
  
  The taste was abundantly sweet and a tad acidic with a very big cherry presence throughout, with the finish having a hint of candi-sugar and a nice mellow tartness towards the end. The flavor hung on for a decent duration with the sweet-tart cherry taste fading ever so slowly.
  
  Mouthfeel was just a tiny bit beyond light in body and somewhat watery in texture with a soft mellow carbonation.
  
  Overall a nice fruity tart Lambic that was extremely drinkable, reminds me a little of a Sour Cherry Jolly Rancher...
  
  Sampled: 8/11/2012
  http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

  Boon "Kriek" Brouwerij F. Boon - Lembeek, Belgium Lambic (ABV 5%) [Suggested Glassware: Flute] Rating: 3.6/5.0 The pour was a murky dark cranberry red with a very small (almost non-existent) light pink fizzy head that was fully diminishing in just a few seconds and had no lacing to speak of. The aroma was all about the cherries with a mild caramel malt and a sweet yeast and had a hint of candi-sugar and a slight sour odor. The taste was abundantly sweet and a tad acidic with a very big cherry presence throughout, with the finish having a hint of candi-sugar and a nice mellow tartness towards the end. The flavor hung on for a decent duration with the sweet-tart cherry taste fading ever so slowly. Mouthfeel was just a tiny bit beyond light in body and somewhat watery in texture with a soft mellow carbonation. Overall a nice fruity tart Lambic that was extremely drinkable, reminds me a little of a Sour Cherry Jolly Rancher... Sampled: 8/11/2012 http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews
• KajII

  

  Member
   

  August 25, 2012

  I agree, drink this one regularly...

  Saint said:
  Abita Purple Haze Malt Beverage with Raspberries Added Abita Brewing Company, Abita Springs, LA Fruit Beer, 12 ounce bottle, 4.2% ABV The Abita Purple Haze from Abita Brewing Company in Abita Springs, LA pours with a light reddish hue to it. The head was not long lasting at all and the nose was similar to a children's raspberry flavored cold medicine. The nose didn't do the palate any favors. The beer is light in body with a slight tasting note of fresh raspberries. It is light in body, color and flavor but a good combination for a "lawn mower" beer. Refreshing and not cloying at all, like many fruit beers can be. Fruit beers can be one of three types, in my experience: Too much fruit, not enough fruit or just the right balance of fruit and beer. This one is a good example of the latter type. I would recommend it for a good summer thirst quencher.

  
  
  

  I agree, drink this one regularly... [blockquote][b][url=/profile/Saint]Saint[/url] said:[/b] Abita Purple Haze Malt Beverage with Raspberries Added Abita Brewing Company, Abita Springs, LA Fruit Beer, 12 ounce bottle, 4.2% ABV The Abita Purple Haze from Abita Brewing Company in Abita Springs, LA pours with a light reddish hue to it. The head was not long lasting at all and the nose was similar to a children's raspberry flavored cold medicine. The nose didn't do the palate any favors. The beer is light in body with a slight tasting note of fresh raspberries. It is light in body, color and flavor but a good combination for a "lawn mower" beer. Refreshing and not cloying at all, like many fruit beers can be. Fruit beers can be one of three types, in my experience: Too much fruit, not enough fruit or just the right balance of fruit and beer. This one is a good example of the latter type. I would recommend it for a good summer thirst quencher.[/blockquote]
• KajII

  

  Member
   

  August 26, 2012

  Dogfish Head "Black and Blue"
  Dogfish Head Craft Brewery - Milton, Delaware USA
  Belgian-Style Golden Ale (ABV 10%) (IBU 25)
  
  [Suggested Glassware: Flute]
  
  Rating: 3.3/5.0
  
  The pour was a clear reddish peach with a huge pale pink fizzy head that dissipated rather quickly and produced some fair spotty lacing.
  
  The aroma was of a sweet caramel malt and a funky Belgian yeast with notes of Blackberry, Blueberry and had a mellow wine presence.
  
  The taste was sweetly acidic throughout with a strong berry presence and a nice bitter sourness along with a mild alcohol warming sensation towards the finish. The flavor hung around for a good long while with the bitter-sweet fruity taste mellowing as time went on.
  
  Mouthfeel was light in body with a strong dry texture and a good strong lively carbonation.
  
  Overall a very unique tasting brew, with just enough sweet and sour to mellow the harsh bitterness and allow for the fruity esters to prevail...
  
  http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

  Dogfish Head "Black and Blue" Dogfish Head Craft Brewery - Milton, Delaware USA Belgian-Style Golden Ale (ABV 10%) (IBU 25) [Suggested Glassware: Flute] Rating: 3.3/5.0 The pour was a clear reddish peach with a huge pale pink fizzy head that dissipated rather quickly and produced some fair spotty lacing. The aroma was of a sweet caramel malt and a funky Belgian yeast with notes of Blackberry, Blueberry and had a mellow wine presence. The taste was sweetly acidic throughout with a strong berry presence and a nice bitter sourness along with a mild alcohol warming sensation towards the finish. The flavor hung around for a good long while with the bitter-sweet fruity taste mellowing as time went on. Mouthfeel was light in body with a strong dry texture and a good strong lively carbonation. Overall a very unique tasting brew, with just enough sweet and sour to mellow the harsh bitterness and allow for the fruity esters to prevail... http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews