FRAMBOISE ~ EXCHANGE BREWERY

This is another impressive beer from the Exchange Brewery. This is their interpretation of a traditional Belgian Pale Ale with raspberries. It was brewed with coriander seeds, aged for at least 3 months in French oak barrels (from Pearl Morissette Winery in Jordan) on a bed of fresh picked Niagara on the Lake raspberries (from Quiet Acres farm). Sampled on draught the beer poured a hazy reddish-pink hue with a small white head. The aroma is primarily fresh summery raspberries with a subtle laziness from the barrel aging. The raspberry notes are not overstated. The sweetness of the berries complements their tartness and subtle woodiness from the aging. The body is medium as is the carbonation and the finish is tart and off dry. This is a limited edition beer, so pick it up at the brewery or sample on draught when you can. A delish fruit beer.
7.6% (draft); 8% (bottle-conditioned) from Niagara on the Lake

Hops: Fuggle, Hallertau, and Saaz

Picture courtesy of the Exchange Brewery

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

FRAMBOISE ~ AMSTERDAM

This is a refreshing and delicious beer made  with Belgian wheat and fresh British Columbia raspberries (about 6 pounds go into every case).   The beer is double fermented giving it an intense raspberry smell and taste.  The Framboise pours a slightly opaque ruby red with a light pink head.  The nose and the favour both burst with both sweet and tart raspberries with hints of other ripe berries.  The tartness is different from a lactic fermentation as it is only the raspberries lending their flavour.   There is no artificial taste or cloying syrupiness to this beer.  It is a pleasure to drink, very refreshing on a hot day, but is rich enough to transition into the autumn.  A favourite of mine!   6.5% from Toronto    14   IBU
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CRUCIBLE ~ AMSTERDAM BREWERY

A Framboise that has been aged in Cabernet/Merlot Barrels for 8 mouths.  I have always thought that Amsterdam’s Framboise was excellent.  By aging it in wine barrels the beer takes on quite a a lot of the wine flavours and tannins, almost tasting like a sangria.  I enjoyed drinking this and went have been back for a few pints, however I do find the wine slightly overpowering and would like to taste a little more of the tartness of the raspberries. 

6.4%  from Toronto, Ontario
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