Thirsty Dog Raspberry Ale

Rated at TDBC. Small white head, fair lacing, transparent, and a pale yellow hue. Sweet, raspberry aroma. Flavor was sweet, raspberry and somewhat tart. The raspberry was not overstated as in a lot of other fruit beers that I ’ve rated. Nicely done. Smooth mouthfeel. Light body. One of the better fruit beers that I’ve rated.

Pours deep golden into the glass, with a sudsy head that leaves a tiny ring and spotty lace. The nose is HUGE of distinctive raspberries, albeit sweetened puree. The flavor is truly reminiscent of a lambic, sweet raspberry with tart effervescence introduced toward the mid- and back-palate. There are some wheat notes mingling around here underneath. The finish contains an ever-so-tiny bittered grain... almost processed (plastic notes), which is the biggest detraction to the overall brew. Although not very complex, I actually do enjoy this offering, going down nicely on a hot summer night. The mouthfeel is much like a raspberry soda, light with lively carbonation and residual sugars that linger after the pull has concluded. Raspberry all around, it remains true to form; although, I still say that with the light ABV (3.9%) and strong fruit effervescence, this reminds me much more of a lambic than a traditional fruit beer. Not bad.... but very soda-esque in timbre.

Alright, brewed and bottled in Akron, Ohio...good to see the brewery come back to the area and start putting out some of their old line up that hasn’t been available for years. A medium bodied fruit beer with lots of raspberry characteristics. Pours a thick, dark gold color with a thin white head and spotty lacing. Nice, lazy carbonation with lots of small bubbles. An immediate thick aroma of fresh raspberries backed by some doughy malt. Mild mannered mouth feel, surprisingly filling. Finishes a touch sticky. The raspberry flavor dominates but is rounded out by some complimenting tastes of nuts and bread. A small amount of coffee creamer is discovered as well. A nice fruit beer with some complexity, welcome back home Thirsty Dog.

12 oz bottle. Pours cloudy (unfiltered) and golden with a 1 cm head that is mostly lasting. Aroma of raspberry and thats it, sugary raspberry. Initial flavor of raspberry kills all other flavors, begins to mellow as it warms, becomes more sugary. Ends more balanced and finally starts tasting like an ale. Significant lacing, light body, noted carbonation, noted alcohol. Overall a great beer for people who like raspberry or other fruit beers.

4/10/08: Bottle.
Nose of wheat, red raspberries and a touch of grass. Extra light orange body. Light raspberry flavor which is not overly sweet or syrupy. Finish is somewhat tart. Refreshing.