Brouwerij Lindemans - Framboise

For the First Beer of Christmas, Belgium gave to me a drink brewed with raspberr-err-ies.

Brouwerij Lindemans
Framboise

I admit that for several years I avoided lambics. Sour beer, often made with fruit, just never appealed to me. Don't make the mistake I made - jump in and try one.

As you can see in the picture, the beer pours up a beautiful, deep ruby red glass with thick head of fine pink bubbles which quickly dissolved to a wispy cap. Moderate pink lacing clung to the glass as I drank.

A few months ago, my wife and I ate at a French bakery while on vacation. We finished up with a raspberry tart and coffee. The Framboise has a sweet, almost syrupy, and tart aroma that is almost exactly what I remember the French raspberry tart smelling like. There is almost no alcohol scent, but with the rather low 2.5% alcohol content, that's not surprising.

The feel is light and crisp with a champagne-like effervescence. It's extremely sweet and tart, like a Sour Punch Straw or Jolly Rancher. The puckering reaction lasts just long enough for you to put the glass down before you want to pick it back up for another drink.

This would be a great after-dinner drink or dessert replacement during the holidays. But remember to bring a cork screw along with your bottle opener as these Belgian treats are capped and corked.

Stats
Brewer: Brouwerij Lindemans
Location: Vlezenbeek, Belgium
Website: http://www.lindemans.be/start/home/en (English version ... French and Dutch are available if you want them)
Style: Lambic (Fruit)
Alcohol Content: 2.5% ABV
Interesting Note: In the late 1800s, the Lindemans family owned a farm, which produced barley and wheat, and brewed lambics (with the barley and wheat) during the winter when there were fewer chores around the farm. By the 1930s, the brewing outpaced the farming and the farming side was closed down. Over time, different styles (sour cherry, black currant, apple, peach, and, of course, raspberry) were added to the lineup.