The Lost Abbey Framboise de Amorosa

What the brewers say

“A French raspberry nose, then a sweet start with a drawn out sour finish. Some sweetness from the raspberries comes out before smooth acidic notes. On the back end, a smooth oak character.”

What our panel thought

Aroma: “Big jammy raspberry, cherry notes, and light apricot with slight sweetness and mild acid sourness. Moderate Brett earthiness. Suggests port and sherry.”

Flavor: “Fruit is bright and strong, perhaps dominating the wild notes. Dry finish lets the fruit come through without cloying. Tannins aren’t overly strong and add structure. Initial impression is sharp acidity, but this gives way to a smooth fruit backbone and moderate Brett lemon-zest notes. Cherry notes with a generous serving of tannins and leather make for a delightfully complex palate.”

Overall: “Big jammy fruit notes on top of a lemon-zesty Brett remind me of a delicious raspberry tart. The bright sharp acidity may be a bit much for some, but it grows on you after a couple of sips. It’s very balanced among acidity, body, sweetness, and effervescence. A delight to drink. A wine-like beer that delivers in every aspect.”