FRAMBOISE LAMBIC ~ LINDMANS'

I remember the first time I had this, the bottle came wrapped in paper with cherubs on it. This is a Belgian Framboise Lambic. The bottle was capped and corked. Upon opening it poured an opaque deep garnet red colour with a large intense pink head. The head lasted and left foam cap. The bottled opened with a satisfying pop and filled the room with the smell or tart natural raspberries. The smell was both sweet and tart, with a faint note of yeast. The beer is ALL raspberry (it is made with 30% raspberry juice). It begins quite sweet but finishes with a sour tartness. It does not taste like beer, but rather an intense raspberry soda. Little evidence of alcohol was present. The finish is quick and clean and does not linger on the palette. There was ample carbonation and a medium mouth feel and fuller body than one would expect at 2.5% ABV. Lindemans' has a reputation of being an introduction to more complex Belgian lambics and geuze . This Lambic is not complex with farmhouse funkiness, but is simple and very pleasant. I have to admit this has its charms. I hope to find a few Belgian beauties over the next year.

2.5% Vlezenbeek, Belgium