Central City Brewers + Distillers Sour III Framboise Sour Sour Red/Brown at 9.5% ABV | 15 IBU (C$15.75 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 750 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 1-Apr-2017, reviewed 17-Aug-2019)
Appearance: clear amber-brown with a short loose ivory head diminishing rapidly to a thin ring, minimal lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tart raspberries, light oak, hint of funky balsamic vinegar. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high tart, moderate sweet, low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, lively carbonation, dry tart finish. (4/5)
Quite pleasant overall, but just slightly too dominated by raspberries. I’m not complaining about the raspberries, as such, but the fact that they’re perilously close to all there is going on: I’m getting very small amounts of the oak foeders or Brettanomyces described in the brewer’s notes. On the flip side of the coin, I’m quite impressed at how very light and easy-drinking this remains throughout, despite the emphatic ABV – there’s no warning here at all, making it very easy to get pleasantly squiffy without realizing it’s happening. (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
