98 Original Raspberry Fruit Beer, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5.1% ABV (8/11)
Cloudy maroon gray color with lacy head. Intricate aromas of powdery raspberry and violet lozenges with a vibrantly crisp, frothy, fruity-yet-dry full body and a long, pure and tangy fresh raspberry puree and artisan dark date-raisin bread finish. A sensational, explosive fruit beer that is sure to please.
95 Raspberry Midnight Oil Imperial Stout, Bastone Brewery (MI). 9.25% ABV (8/11)
Dark brown black color with a dark tan head. Playful aromas of of fruit jams, caramelized nuts and lightly smoky jerky with a supple dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a nicely balanced grilled fruits, peppercorn, radish and wood smoke finish. Excellent; a great choice for dessert beer.
94 Red Whitey, Lexington Avenue Brewery (NC). 5.3% ABV (8/11)
Beautiful clear salmon pink orange color looks just like a rosé sparkling wine. Attractive aromas of fresh crushed raspberries and pastries with a supple dryish light-to-medium body and a earthy jicama, wafer and raspberry–seed -accented finish. A very clean, drier-styled fruit beer that will make a fine table companion.
93 Quelque Chose, Unibroue (Canada). 8% ABV (9/11)
Bronze amber red color. Bright spicy sour cherry, honey and brown sugar aromas and flavors with a supple under-carbonated fruity sweet medium-full and a long pure cinnamon–spiced cherry compote, marzipan and jasmine tea driven finish. Nice dessert beer or cocktail ingredient.
93 Original Strawberry Fruit Beer, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5.1% ABV (9/11)
Slightly hazy deep amber color. Rich strawberry granola and cream aromas with a bold fruity full body and a long, pure and tangy and drying strawberry soda, nut and grassy hop -accented finish. Delicious and vibrant.
93 Aphrodite, Brewery Ommegang (NY). 8.9% ABV (9/11)
Bright ruby copper color. Beguiling aromas of raspberry and watermelon sorbets, toasted pumpkin seeds, epazote, and kimchi do your readers know what these two spices are?with a supple, dryish medium body and a tart, pomegranate, peppercorn and leafy mustard greens -accented finish. A must try food beer to pair with Latin cuisine.
92 Raisin Hell Ale, Bastone Brewery (MI). 6.5% ABV (9/10)
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.
92 Raspberry Ale, Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. (OH). 3.9% ABV (10/10)
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.
91 Pêche Mel Scaldis, Brasserie Dubuisson Fréres (Belgium). 8.5% ABV (9/11)
Bright amber color. Vibrant peach cider, pastry and yogurt aromas with a rich, frothy, fruity medium-full body and a long, tangy peach phosphate, honey and citrus marmalade on cinnamon raisin toast finish. Delicious and crowd pleasing.
90 Devious Imperial Pumpkin Ale, Fegley’s Brew Works (PA). 9% ABV (9/11)
Deep copper color. Aromas of savory spiced pumpkin seeds with a chewy, fruity-yet-dry medium-full body and a rich spicy pumpkin bread, blood–orange marmalade, golden beet, and pink peppercorn finish. Vibrant, rich and balanced.
90 Whole Hog Raspberry Saison, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 7.2% ABV (9/11)
Slightly hazy golden amber color. Earthy raspberry bush, yeasty bread dough, and apple butter aromas with a frothy, tangy medium-full body and a seamless raspberry soufflé, cream cheese and wafer cookie -accented finish with peppery hops. A delicious and balanced food beer.
89 Bourbon Raspberry Midnight Oil Imperial Stout, Bastone Brewery (MI). 9.5% ABV (8/11)
Opaque brown black color with a tan head. Aroma of vanilla Turkish taffy, fruit leather, and artisan–spiced dark chocolate with a supple dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a lively berry compote, grilled kiwi, peppery spice, cedar, char-roasted nut finish. Very nice concentration and vivacity; will work well with grilled meats.
89 Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 7.5% ABV (9/11)
Copper amber color. Aromas of roasted pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon and orange blossom honey with a supple dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tangy citrus marmalade, radicchio, pumpkin pie with cream and pepper bread finish.
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.
88 Organic Cherry Fruit Beer, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5.1% ABV (9/10)
Bright maraschino cherry and marzipan aromas. Round and frothy with a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body. Rich and earthy with nettlelike astringency on the finish.
88 Blueberry Belch Ale, Fegley’s Brew Works (PA). 4.2% ABV (9/11)
Beautiful copper pink color. Rich spicy aromas of blueberry-raspberry cobbler a la mode and wafers with a crisp, lively fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a zesty green apple, toasted baguette and mossy river stone -accented finish. What does a mossy river stone taste like?A refreshing, light, clean quaffer.means drinking with enthusiasm; you OK with that word here?
88 Orange & Black Congrats Ale, Moylan’s Brewing Co. (CA). 6% ABV (9/11)
Dark brown color. Bright aromas of chocolate-covered orange peels and dreamsicles with a frothy, fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a zesty, radish sprout and watercresslike hop accent on the finish. Tasty; try with chocolate on Christmas.
88 Samuel Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.7% ABV (9/11)
Copper color with a tan head. Sweet and savory aromas of spicy pumpkin pie and curry soup with a gentle dry-yet-fruity medium body and a pumpernickel nut toast jicama and radish sprout -accented finish. Nicely restrained and balanced.
87 Orange Blossom Cream Ale, Buffalo Bill’s 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 Co. (NY). 8% ABV (9/11)
Cloudy pale copper color. Toasty panettone, buckwheat honey on blini and ketchup aromas with a chewy dryish medium-full body and a bready, tangy blood–orange rind and peppery arugula like hop finish. Not sure what the flavor is by taste.
84 Blueberry Triple, Bastone Brewery (MI). 9% ABV (8/11)
Deep ruby color with a fine blanket of foam. Mild dark berry and wheat toast aromas and flavors with a dryish medium body and a tart, peppery berry skin, cough syrup nut skin and lemon pepper finish.
84 Cherry Triple, Bastone Brewery (MI). 9% ABV (8/11)
Hazy copper scarlet color. Aromas of cherry cream soda and ice cream with a supple dry-yet-fruity medium body and a circus peanut, wheat grass and salty nut toast -accented finish.
83 Orange & Black Congrats Ale, Marin Brewing Co. (CA). 6.3% ABV (9/11)
Dark brown color. Muddled aromas of dark chocolate, butter sautéed berries and citrus, and deep-fried pickles with satiny, dryish medium body and a terse baker’s chocolate on orange peel and brown butter on waffle finish.
82 Wisconsin Waterfall Cranberry Tart, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 5.5% ABV (9/09)
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 lambiclike, but unfocused.
80 Grumpy Cherry, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 10% ABV (9/10)
Bright copper color. Jumbled aromas of butter nut brittle, cherry sassafras soda, and Elmer’s glue.has the reviewer tasted Elmer’s glue? Soft and limp with a dryish, clumsy medium body. Finishes with a nice buttered raisin toast finish and citrus marmalade finish.