New Belgium Frambozen
Alcohol by Volume: 6.5%

Intro:While the 2° Below is New Belgium’s main winter seasonal, the Frambozen is also a special release that rolls out in the winter. This would be a great one to share with the family for dessert at Thanksgiving.

Description: Pours an absolutely beautiful dark cherry reddish brown with medium white head that disappears pretty quickly. Aroma is of fresh raspberries. Lots of raspberry flavor in the taste is balanced by a lightly sweet caramel base. Does a great job of letting the fruit come through, but keeps it from being overwhelming. The stronger than expected bitterness to finish would be better off toned down. This is definitely different than your average winter release, and I’d gladly put a sixer in my fridge. If you could cut down on the bitterness, this would make a seriously kick-ass ice cream.

Verdict: Buy It
Availability: Six packs retail for about $7.99; a great value.

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Commercial Description/Press Release:

Frambozen begins with the aroma of fresh red raspberries, followed by the ripe seductiveness of a fruity brown ale with depth and delicate malt notes. It is deep ruby in color, with flavors just as rich. Every year, New Belgium sends a delegate to the Pacific Northwest to oversee the process of turning freshly picked berries into a pure juice to be added in fermentation. The coming of Thanksgiving at New Belgium is ushered in with the first sighting of our cellar operators scuttling about, covered head to tow in a festive crimson berry wash.

In the interest of full disclosure to satisfy the FTC’s new law, this review was of a sample bottle received from the brewery.

Thanks to Hops and Barley on Flickr for the photo link.