Fruit Beer

98 Raspberry Tart, New Glarus Brewing Co. (WI). 4% ABV (8/07)
Deep ruby color. Rich, fresh-picked raspberry aromas. A vibrant entry leads to a richly fruity and tangy full body of tart crushed raspberries and cream of wheat-like malt. Finishes for a mile with a mouthwatering raspberry purée on toast fade. The richness, purity and depth of the three-D raspberry flavors is amazing. A must-try fruit beer.

96 Wisconsin Belgian Red, New Glarus Brewing Co. (WI). 4% ABV (8/07)
Hazy maroon mahogany color. Perfumed bing and maraschino cherry, and wheat cracker aromas. A rich, frothy entry leads to tangy, dry-yet-fruity, full body of lavish mélange of cherry, almond biscotti and subtle anise flavors. Finishes with a long, mouthwatering sour cherry fade. Utterly delicious and extremely drinkable. Do so.

91 Raspberry Ale, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5% ABV (9/09)
Deep crimson red color. Bright aromas of floral raspberries and violet candy follow through on a round entry to a fruity, tart, medium-full body with excellent depth and balance. Finishes with a long, pure raspberry and grain cracker fade. A superb, food beer. Pair with Peking duck.

91 Kriek Bier, Liefmans Brewery (Belgium). 6% ABV (8/07)
Deep hazy reddish mahogany color. Wonderful aromas of baked cherries and spice follow through to a rich, tangy fruity cherry and nutty malt body with a long, tart cherry and earth finish. Rich and deep.

90 Imperial Cherry Amber, River Horse Brewery (NJ). 7% ABV (8/08)
Reddish copper color. Lovely buttered toast, cherry pie and toffee aromas follow through on a very creamy and round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with an excellent balance of nutty malt, dried cherry and earthy hops on the finish. A great example of a dry fruit beer; very drinkable and table friendly.

89 Quelque Chose, Unibroue (Canada). 8% ABV (9/09)
Deep amber brown color with a wispy, big bubbled head. Aromas of sour cherry and soy sauce follow through on a round, silky entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium body with cinnamon stick and clove notes on the tart, tangy finish. An appetizing fruit beer to sip or pair with Christmas goose.

89 Pumpkin Ale, Buffalo Bills Brewery (CA). 4.9% ABV (8/08)
Deep amber color. Dimensional aromas of pumpkin seeds and pulp, baking spice and peppercorn bread follow through on a round entry leads to a dryish medium body with a nice savory, spicy character and hints of spiced dried apple, pear and nuts. Finishes with a nice crisp, dried citrus, pumpkin bread and praline fade.

89 Frambozen Bier, Liefmans Brewery (Belgium). 4.5% ABV (8/07)
Deep, hazy reddish mahogany color. Raspberry jam, spice, honey and caramel aromas. A round, frothy entry leads to a tart, medium-full body of raspberry, balsa and delicate spice flavors. Finishes with a medium length fade of minerals, raspberry seeds and crackers.

88 Strawberry Ale, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5% ABV (9/09)
Pure amber color with a taupe mousse. Vibrant aromas of strawberry preserves on honeyed pumpernickel toast follow through on a round, velvety entry to a fruity sweet medium-to-full body with a touch of watermelon candy. Finishes with a tangy, slightly astringent lemon pepper and honey fade. A fun, fruity fruit beer.

87 Orange Blossom Cream Ale, Buffalo Bills Brewery (CA). 5.2% ABV (9/09)
Bright old gold color with an amber cast. Interesting aromas of orange honey and floral bath soap follow through on a round, frothy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with lots of fresh orange zest and floral bath oil bead notes. Finishes with a dusty wheat and potpourri fade. A bit much on the floral component, but interesting.

86 Cherry Ale, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5% ABV (9/09)
Deep crimson amber bronze color. Aromas of maraschino cherry, marzipan and faint bouillon follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium body with tart sour cherry, almond oil and bark-like astringency on the piquant finish.

83 Samuel Adams LongShot Grape Ale, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.2% ABV (8/08)
Brilliant amber color. Praline and faint grape jelly on toast aromas follow through on a round, creamy entry to a dryish medium body with dried lemon peel and nuts. Finishes with a quick, pithy nutshell and grape seed fade. Not much fruit flavor here.

82 Wisconsin Waterfall Cranberry Tart, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 5.5% ABV (9/09) %{Brewpub}
Cloudy red amber color with a pillowy mousse. Toasty aromas of berry pudding, taffy and clay follow through on an almost bracing entry to a dryish medium-to-full body of very tart cranberry skin and buttered wheat bread notes. Finishes with a shrill lemon water and raw cranberry on cracker fade. Somewhat lambic-like, but unfocused.