Kuhnhenn Raspberry Eisbock

Bouteille verte de 6.3 oz obtenue via Importations Privées Bièropholie (Brassin 2004). Arôme: Odeur de chocolat, de framboises et de caramel. Apparence: La couleur est bourgogne foncée avec une moyenne densité de bulle. Présence d’un mince col beige crémeux et d’une large dentelle sur le verre. Saveur: Goût de chocolat et de framboises. Durée moyenne de l’arrière goût. Palette: Le corps est plein avec une texture huileuse. Faible effervescence en bouche. Sensation de fumée en arrière goût. (Rating #451)

6.3 oz. bottle. Pours a dark reddish brown. Aroma was raspberry, malt and caramel. Flavor was that and some chocolate, as well. It was OK. One of the top beers? Not in my book.

Ridiculously expensive, but so good. Smells like raspberries and chocolate. Flavor is strong and long lasting -- too bad it’s $9/bottle.

I recieved this rarety in trade from Boutip. 2004 bottle: pours a murky brown red with a substantial tan head. The aroma of chocolate covered raspberrys is evident without even lifting the glass to my nose. Deep rich raspberry with loads of chocolate and a hint of barley and vanilla. I believe that this is my first perfect 10 for aroma. I could just linger over the smell for hours. Flavor is well balanced with the caramelly chocolate sweetness up front and the raspberry tart sliding in ever so subtly and taking over towards the finish. Extremely smooth and completly beguiling you into thinking nothing of the high alcohol potency of this gem. Warming in the belly giving a sort of toasty air although I feel it more than taste it. What a masterpiece of a beer. I would say that fruit beers are not my style of choice but this beer lives up to it’s hype and then some. My only problem now is that my wife absolutly loves it and I’m going to have to find a way to get atleast a case of it. (of course thats no reflection to the scores I give it.)

2004 Bottle. A million thanks to muzzlehatch for this tiny beauty. Pours reddish brown with a thin white diminishing head. What a great and unique aroma. It smells like milk chocolate covered raspberries, malt, with some sourness. This beer is so well balanced. Great vinous qualities. All of the flavors in this beer compliment and blend so well, nothing sticks out. Flavors of chocolate, mildy tart raspberry, oak, vanilla, caramel malt. A slightly syrupy finish, but still smooth amd relaxing, with the perfect amount of sweetness. What an amazing and memorable beer. Thanks again Barry. for finally getting this elusive gem to me!

Update July 2 2008. I opened one of my 2004 bottles, and the aroma has faded, and this beer is starting to taste stale and vinegary. Sadly, this bottling has lost it’s mojo. Drink before they decline any further.
SEPTEMBER 2009-I sampled at the GABF, and this is drinking surprisingly well. However, it’s still not as good as the 2004 before it got stale (about 18-24 months). It’s good, but what it lacks from the 2004 is the dark chocolate flavors, and the finish is not quite as complex. What it tastes like now is what my friend at GABF described as raspberry filling in a chocolate cake.

2004 Vintage Bottle. Where do I begin with this one? Sitting here looking at the bottle, I find it hard to get past the aura of the home-looking label and the midieval wax seal and just open the bottle. I finally give in, and get out a champagne flute given to me as a wedding gift. Hazy, caramely red coloring with a thin, light toasted ring of head. Wow, the aroma is fantastic! I’m really excited now. In addition to the raspberries, my nostrils are warmed by sweet caramel, Christmas flavored coffee, vanilla bean, and a dried strawberry aroma that can only be found in a breakfast cereal box. The vinous qualities found in this brew give this beer a multitude of character. A pleasant toasted oakiness combines with the mildly tart berry dimensions, giving it a wonderful balance between sweet, tart, and dryness. A simidgen of bittersweet chocolate interrupts my ponderings. Oh my gosh, I’m enjoying this drink as an ’apertif to desert’, and I saved a bit for the strawberries and cream I was waiting to enjoy. What a glorious accompaniment to the fresh fruit! I thought this beer was marvelous on a clean palate, but its even better when washing down the sweet strawberry sugars. Thanks Tom, for allowing me to have this memorable experience!

2004 vintage, Maudite glass. The pour reveals a cloudy dark ruby color with a thin tan head that diminishes to a small ring. As I stick my nose in the glass I feel joy, it feels that I’m sniffing a potent liquor or a good port wine. I can already tell that I’m going to love this beer. The second time I stick my nose in I’m more prepared to be amazed, I can concentrate on the different elements, there is chocolate, raspberries and caramel, the alcohol is barely noticeable. A third sniff reveals something close to plums or grapes. Ok, enough chit-chat, let’s taste this marvel ! Wow, I’m astonished, bewildered, amazed, in love. The flavor has an extremely balanced and harmonious blend of chocolate, caramel and raspberries. Again I’m reminded of grapes, but now it’s more like candied grapes. And again the alcohol is barely noticeable. The body is full with a very liquorous and oily texture while the carbonation is low. This is an extremely well made beer, a highly amazing liquid dessert. Merci Martin!

(6.3 oz. bottle, 2004 vintage) Pours a cloudy reddish-brown body with a spare off-white head. Aroma of chocolate, raspberries, raisins, caramel, and a hint of orange. Flavor of chocolate, honey, and raspberry syrup. Truely a delightful experience!