Fruit Beer

92 Whole Hog Raspberry Saison, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 7.2% ABV (9/10)
Bright golden amber color. Savory spinach frittata, citrus marmalade and faint raspberry cream aromas. Round and supple with a dryish medium-full body. Zesty and astringent buttered nuts and pepper dust on the finish. A savory and appetizing beer for the dining table.

92 Raspberry Ale, Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. (OH). 3.9% ABV (8/10)
Hazy golden amber color. Fruit aromas of raspberry jam, honeyed peach and cinnamon toast are very attractive. Round and supple with fine carbonation and a fruity-yet-dry medium body. Long, zesty berry, citrus peel, floral talc and dandelion greens-accented finish. A super drinkable, well balanced fruit beer.

92 Raisin Hell Ale, Bastone Brewery (MI). 6.5% ABV (9/10) %{Brewpub}
Cloudy mahogany color. Enticing aromas of clove and licorice gums, banana pudding and mincemeat pie. Round and supple with a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body. Roasted corn and root vegetable notes play with sassafras, toffee and grassy hops. Interesting, tasty and fun.

91 Quelque Chose, Unibroue (Canada). 8% ABV (9/10)
Tawny amber red color. Spicy, crusty cherry pie and cherry butter aromas. Round and supple with little carbonation and a fruity medium-to-full body. Rich, dimensional sour cherry and spicy carrot cake finish. Delicious.

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 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.

88 Punk’n Harvest Pumpkin Ale, Uinta Brewing Co. (UT). 5% ABV (9/10)
Bright copper color. Rich spicy pumpkin pie and gingery carrot cake aromas. Round and supple with plush carbonation and a dry-yet-fruity medium body. Tangy dried citrus and cocoa nut finish with nice roasted squash notes. Tasty.

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 He’Brew Origin Pomegranate Ale, Shmaltz Brewing Company (NY). 8% ABV (9/10)
Rich golden amber color. Aromas of honey drizzled peach custard. Crisp and frothy with a dryish medium-to-full body. Green apple, honeydew, grass and nut notes round out the zippy finish.

84 Space Monkey Raspberry Saison, Fegley’s Brew Works (PA). 7% ABV (9/10)
Lightly hazy amber color. Aromas of raspberry ice milk and toasted baguette. Round and frothy with dry-yet-fruity medium body. Tart raspberry skin, grilled lemon, roasted whole nuts notes on an astringent 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 lemon of 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.

80 Grumpy Cherry, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 10% ABV (9/10) %{Brewpub}
Bright copper color. Jumbled aromas of butternut brittle, cherry sassafras soda and Elmer’s glue. Soft and limp with a dryish, clumsy medium body. Finishes with a nice buttered raisin toast finish and citrus marmalade finish.