gws57 (1131), Saint Charles, Illinois, USA Feb 22, 2009 Had this one bottled at the Real Time Sports in St. Charles, Illinois. Poured a hazy, dark brown with a thick, tannish head. Sweet berries and bready nose, but not overpowering. Raspberries are present but not overbearing the flavor, which is well balanced, sweet and dry. A bit chocolaty. Soft finish. This is an excellent example of a great fruit beer. stankenk (130), Maplewood, Minnesota, USA Feb 19, 2009 Pours a brown with a tan head. The nose is raspberries with subtle chocolate undertones. Comes across the palate rather thin and watery, the only flavor that hits is raspberry. The finish sis subtle and rather weak. I am a bit disappointed with this beer. Tripplebrew (486), Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA Feb 8, 2009 Pours a clear but dark nut brown with fair cream-colored head. Aroma is chocolate with the a faint hint of raspberries. Nutty notes comes across as well. Flavor is quite light. There are largely nutty notes offset by chocolate undertones with a very light role played by the raspberry. Pretty mild for what I expected from Southern Tier and could have definitely played up the Raspberry some more. The body was quite light with carbonation. Could have been a bit more creamy and full with the body. maugus4ever (121), Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA Jan 30, 2009 Pours a nice dark brown with a decent tan head. Great raspberry chocolate aroma. I expected a more rich flavor from this porter, and though the raspberry came through well, I would have liked it to be more sweet than tart. This one was too thin for my liking, and it lacked the malts that I was looking for. badgerben (3586), Blaine, Minnesota, USA Jan 30, 2009 Dark brown color with a medium head. Strong, fresh raspberry aroma with a nice rounding out of chocolate malt. Good porter base of dark chocolate and nuts, but the raspberry transforms into a stale, fake raspberry. Still okay, but a bit disappointing after the aroma. Rogueone (506), I F&ckin’ hate those guys from, Ohio, USA Jan 30, 2009 Even the greats stumble sometimes; I would have to say this is my least favorite Southern Tier beer. Ever. It’s like a fake-tasting raspberry-chocolate cola, poorly carbonated, and finishes with some sort of odd and artificial chocolate extract. cking (1012), North Canton, Ohio, USA Jan 27, 2009 12 oz. single from a newly discovered local shop/drive-thru. Pours a rich looking amber~brown color with a frothy 1/2" tan head and good "leggy" lacing. Aroma consists of a powerful raspberry burst that is quickly followed by chocolate and roasted malt scents, smells grand. Thin on the palate, especially for a porter, finishes thin as well. The mouth feel lacks any valuable substance. Flavor falls short of the grand aroma. Fizzy/lively raspberries both sweet and tart. Hints of nuts, toast and milk chocolate. Unfortunately these porter traits never really follow through. It is an enjoyable treat, and it would work best served in small amounts in a wide mouth glass as a dessert beer. I could see this pairing great with a simple slice of chocolate cake. elihapa (1033), Honolulu, California, USA Jan 25, 2009 Bottle, $1.50. Pour light brown with distinct magenta coloration. Aroma of concentrated raspberry paste, wood, and milk chocolate. Appealing! Palate is creamy and mellow, which complements the sweet raspberry tart and vanilla yogurt flavors in the body. However, porter characteristics such as dark chocolate and dry roasts are notably absent. A pity, since they would have made a perfect complement for the lush raspberry. Finish contains just a hint of chocolate. This beer is just so close to being good: It could be rich, it could be balanced, it could a delicious dessert . . . but falls short as is.
|