If you're a beer nut like me, you're well acquainted with New Belgium. You've had enough Fat Tire to know it like your favorite book, you've tried the majority of their other offerings, and you are always delighted to find their new seasonal gracing the shelves of your local liquor store. They have a couple of old timers in their seasonal lineup (Skinny Dip in the summer, 2 Below for winter) and have been playing with the spring and fall seasonals for a while (they are currently Mighty Arrow and Hoptober, though they will likely change again next year). But few outside of Northern Colorado know of this well kept secret. It's a bonus winter seasonal that appears around Thanksgiving and is usually long gone by New Years Eve. It is Frambozen.
Beer is a very sensory experience, and more often than not it is seen before anything else. That's the first obvious difference, the beer is only sold in 6 packs that trade the standard New Belgium designs for a rather plain, dark red carton adorned by a fairly simple wreath. When you pull out the first bottle, you'll notice that design carries over on a similarly decorated, unassuming bottle. To paraphrase the description, Frambozen is flemmish for raspberry, the fruit used in the fermentation of this brown ale. It is to be served relatively warm (50 degrees F) in a glass, and once poured, the rich red color makes this the obvious choice for consumption. It's a relatively strong beer at 6.5% ABV and has a slightly sour scent.
The first sip confirms the hint of sourness that comes with the raspberry flavor, but is downright fantastic. To put it in simpleton terms, this is Chrismakkuh in a glass (yes, I just made an O.C. reference and no, I'm not ashamed of it). It's a dark, deceivingly simple beer that is great to enjoy by a campfire, after a day of skiing, or while watching the fat Colorado snowflakes make their way down to earth It's a fairly consistent beer throughout, especially when poured into a glass, and the last drink is no better or worse than the first.. If you don't appreciate fruit beers, this might not be for you, as the raspberries obviously give it a slightly sweet flavor. It's definitely not as sweet as some of my other favorite fruit beers (Kona Waialua Wheat, Leinenkeugels Sunset Wheat, etc.), but it still falls in the category. Nevertheless, if you're feeling adventurous, give it a shot, it's worth the risk.
It's not a sipping beer like some of the hoppier options in this region, but it is one to be consumed slowly and, in my opinion, without any food accompaniment. I'd also only drink one per session, but that may just be a personal preference. It's a bit ironic that the better beers are often best in moderation, I really think more than 2 or so of these might ruin the belly warming effect that New Belgium gave them. It might also give you some gnarly red puke that could stain your or your friends carpet, so be careful.
This got a bit more froo froo than I would have liked, but what can I say, I love this beer. If you want to learn more, check out the official Frambozen site here. If you want to try it for yourself, move quick, supplies are definitely dwindling and it won't be back for a year. I know they have some left at the brewery, or go hunt down a 6 pack for yourself and your loved ones. Better yet, hunt down a case, this stuff is great and will keep you toasty through spring. It's not cheap ($10.50 for a sixer), but it's worth it.
Final Grade: A. I would have given it the coveted A+, but the price kicks it down that partial grade. Still up on my top shelf of beers, but just not at the tippy top. I'll probably give out like six A+'s over the course of this blog, so don't worry, A means go buy this soon, it's worth your hard earned/stolen money.
Girly Grade: B-. It's a hearty beer, not for the casual drinker that just enjoys the occasional Bud Light with dinner. If you can enjoy the heavier and more unique flavors, it's for you, otherwise maybe just stick with the Bud Light. Also, in case you didn't notice, this is a new grade, aimed a bit more at the non-seasoned drinkers among us. Be you an actual girl or just someone who isn't crazy about beer like me, pay closer attention to this grade.
A few more ending caveats. I'll be doing all I can to write these blogs as I'm drinking the subject beverage. I can ramble on for days from memory on the beers and other booze I've had in the past, but it's just not the same unless I'm actually drinking it at the time. I also added an A List to the front page, that's the express train to taste town. I guarantee it'll be packed with some hard to find, but crazy good drinks. That's all for now, until next time, bottoms up.
-The Drunken Dane
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Your girly grade is not appropiately named. I am a girl, more like a woman, but not the point, you should name it something like novice.
ReplyDeleteOn that note, I think it should have a higher grade. The fruitiness is novice/girly friendly. Ladies, and Mike Martin, heart raspberries.