Founders Rübæus - Founders Brewing Company

bearrunner44

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: The beer has a reddish/pinkish amber color, with a foamy pale pink head. It's recognizable as a fruit beer, though it doesn't have the bright fruit juice color some of them have.

Aroma: Pleasantly sweet raspberry notes, tempered by a delicate touch of hops. It lacks the cloying artificial sweetness of lesser fruit beers; the aroma smells just like fresh raspberries, with just enough hops to remind you it's a beer. Very nice.

Taste: Bready malt flavor up front, nice and hearty. The sweetness of the raspberries kicks in in the middle, providing a wash of flavor before finishing in a somewhat tart fashion. Again, the hops are very, very subtle, providing just a bit of beery (is that a word?) flavor to help compensate for the sweetness of the raspberries. After swallowing, the higher-than-average alcohol content leaves a nice warm feeling in the mouth. This is an excellent beer.

Verdict: I don't know if I'd want to drink more than one or two of these in one night, as this is a fairly sweet and filling beer. It's a fantastic stab at a style that can turn out to be truly toxic in the wrong hands, though, and it sets a nice standard for other breweries interested in making fruit-flavored beer. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2008 05:23:14 | More by bearrunner44

Lupe

New York

4.38/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Ok - from the pour you know this is a fruit beer that's not playing around. Light red raspberry color with pink hues and a small pinkish white head. Not much retention and very little lacing. Lighter in color than Lindeman's Framboise Lambic, but more color than any other fruit beers (excluding those delicious fruit stouts & porters).

Upfront raspberry aroma and a hint of alcohol. Mild malt sweetness mixes well with the fruit and does give off the disconnected graininess of typical fruit beers.

Again, raspberry dominates but not too overpowering. Wonderful sweet-tart flavors provide the right about of tangy sourness. Light bitterness towards the end, along with a dose of some alcohol spice. Finishes with lingering raspberry, sweet malt, a hint of spicy hop.

Medium bodied, smooth and crisp with low carbonation. Finishes dry and surprisingly refreshing and drinkable. Great drinkability, but as with many fruit beers it can get tired.

A special beer and one of the best in the fruit category. This beer does not play - you want raspberry, here is raspberry!

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2008 18:03:41 | More by Lupe

Gavage

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: pours a ruby red color with a 1/2" head. No lacing develops.

Smell: raspberries and some soft vanilla tones are easily detectable and enjoyable for the nose.

Taste: loads of raspberries, bits of grass, some red grape sweetness, and some soft vanilla notes. Bitterness is very mild.

Mouthfeel: very crisp throughout. Medium bodied. Aftertaste is bold but short-lived.

Drinkability: very good for the style. This is one of the best fruit beers I have had. The fruit flavor seems fresh, not the usual syrupy or fake flavors most fruit beers have.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2008 11:50:26 | More by Gavage

Frosty80

Michigan

4.38/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Color: pours a very light pink and sits a hazy dirty pink, almost apple cider color

Smell: quite simply, raspberries. maybe a little malt and alcohol helps thin it out but nothing else really comes through

Taste: quite simply, raspberries. i think the alcohol helps to lighten it a bit, not that this is supposed to have a whole lot of body to it anyway. tiny bit of yeast in the finish (if you poured it out)

Mouthfeel: low-med body. little bit of sparkle to it

Notes: not too thick/rich. very easy drinking. would especially be great on a warm day. i can see some people call this a girly beer. the cerise has some big shoes to fill, but i think it will do alright

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2009 04:15:31 | More by Frosty80

blackthistle

Michigan

4.4/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a brilliantly clear raspberry red color (imagine that) with a small white head of tight creamy bubbles that dissipates rather quickly. Raspberries are very apparent in the aroma with a sweet, slightly husky/grainy smell in the background. This medium-light bodied ale has a tart raspberry flavor balanced with a clean malt sweetness and a clean but spicy low hops bitterness. Tart raspberry flavor from beginning to end. Very effervescent, crisp carbonation. Not your typical fruit beer and not especially complex, but quite refreshing and very enjoyable especially on a nice summer day.

12 oz. brown bottle w/ twist-off cap; no freshness date

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2008 20:33:34 | More by blackthistle

tigg924

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: high carbonation, 1/4 inch head that fades away, clear dark pink

Smell: sour raspberries

Taste: sour raspberries

Mouthfeel: I can feel the carbonation of this one dancing on my tongue. A very sweet and light body with a sour finish

Drinkability: Another stellar beer from Founders. The alcohol is barely noticable and this almost drinks like a sour due to the tartness of the raspberry. I could easily drink a four pack of this and am disappointed that it is going away. It is a nice change from the typical wheat fruit beers.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2009 14:31:45 | More by tigg924

HappyHourHero

Indiana

4.43/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Moderately thick, dense, light pink colored head leaves a short sheet of lace. Hazy dark mahongany colored beer with a ruby hue. Raspberry jam aroma with a toasted malt base; almost like a raspberry poptart. Fresh raspberry flavor throughout mixed with mild doughy malt flavor. It finishes just barely tart. Light, fairly crisp mouthfeel. It's like somebody took a piece of toast with raspberry jam and liquified it. I'm usually not a big fruit beer fan, but this one is different from the rest. Thanks to malty for another great brew.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2005 23:34:45 | More by HappyHourHero

Franchise

Oregon

4.43/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Founders does it again, this offering poured a dark red body with a huge tinted head even with a soft pour. The body is fully carbonated, the aroma is fresh ripe raspberry, green apple, horse blanket, wheat, peppery spice, similar to aroma of a dry fruit wine. The taste starts sour, not as powerful as a lambic but very suttle. It also has a sweet tart chalky mouthfeel. The raspberry taste is very apparent, some sweetness in there for balance. The carbonation is perfect for a refreshing clean feel on the palate. This is a fantastic fruit beer, I couldn't drink it all night but it would be a perfect after dinner drink.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2006 19:42:09 | More by Franchise

JDV

Texas

4.43/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle thanks to WeeHeavy
Pours deep maroon with a big fresh raspberry smell and a touch of malty "beery"ness to it as well. Tart, fresh and sweet raspberry flavor and nicely and crisply carbonated. Some grain like beer flavor in the finish that keeps it short of cloying. Fantastic flavor, and very well done. So far, my favorite beer from Founders. Big thanks for this one Jon!

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2008 20:16:51 | More by JDV

Ego

New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

summer's trace is the braze of red path across my neck, to quench the thirst of season I reach for...

eyes...
1 finger of head sticks around as long as the french army in WW2, she recedes back to a gentle o-ring at record pace, lacing and legs are apparent and adequate, cloudy dark roset, a modicum of carbonation is making the pilgrimage to the holy o-ring of foam, decent looking all in all

nose...
raspberries and then more raspberries, a slight tinge of sour in the end but this just smells like a box of fresh berries, one dimensional ? sure. But when that one dimension makes you forget about the other dimensions.. it demands note. delicious.

taste etc...
the carbonation smacks a bit (nicely) making this refreshing, good fullish sensation in the mouth, the flavor is as expected, an ale with tons of raspberry flavor, the tartness of the berries really lends to the drinkability here, the ABV is no where to be found (maybe a bit heavy handed for a summer brew, but not for me). Like Pam Anderson, this beer goes down great (every time).

verdict?
like rasp lambics but don't want so much acid ? or a little more ABV kick ? find this stuff (go now, I'll still be here when you come back)

this beer is delicious...

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2008 02:40:01 | More by Ego

sinstaineddemon

Connecticut

4.43/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - no head to speak of, light barely visible carbonation through the ruddy reddish-brown eliixir

S - raspberry predominates the aroma, it really takes over, there is a discernible malty backbone however

T - as imaginable, raspberry flavors dominate the taongue as well as the nose, very fruity, were not talking frozen mushy raspberries, real, fresh raspberry flavors. once again there is a hop/malt balance in the background providing support. This beer avoids the pitfalls that other fruit beers fall prey too, in that it's not too sweet

M - smooth and easy down, this was stolen by the girlfriend. she very much enjoyed, no offensive qualities to speak of

D - incredible, it really acheives a superb drinkability, would compliment dessert quite well, especially pie ala mode, mmm...

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2008 15:24:59 | More by sinstaineddemon

dakid618

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap from possibly the last keg of this beer left in the world. Poured into pint glass. Pours a clear deep red color with a finger of soapy white head. Smells light and wheaty with strong raspberry smell. Taste is like raspberry preserves. This beer is absolutely amazing. Light mouthfeel. Awesome drinkability. I'm not a big fruit beer fan but this beer is great. Its a shame this is now retired. Another excellent example from Founders.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2009 16:35:58 | More by dakid618

Bellabananas

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Probably the last time I will ever drink this! I tried this when it was still part of the line-up and fell in love. I nearly cried when it was discontinued. So obviously this bottle is past its prime...
A-Darker pink tone, nice fluffy white head.
S-Lovely waft of raspberries, at this point a slight hint of funk
T-slight sweetness, I seem to recall it tasting better and with more clarity in taste when it was fresh. Taste is now flat with some sweetness.
M- Carbonation doesn't come across in the taste anymore, very flat and one dimensional. I remember it being sweet and glorious a year and a half ago though!
D-This would be so easy to drink glass after glass of, and if it was still around I probably would!

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2010 23:15:16 | More by Bellabananas

cyborgmexican

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

It's backin on tap at Founders tap room as of today 2/13! Last had this beer when I was just starting to get into beer several years ago.
It looks gorgeous in the glass. Deep hazy purple with a thin head that remains for the whole glass, lots of lace.
Smell is pure raspberry fruit.
Easy drinking raspberry flavor with a hint of lemon.
Pure silk in the mouth.
Great overall. One of my all time favorite fruit beers.

Serving type: on-tap

02-13-2013 21:25:08 | More by cyborgmexican

aasher

Indiana

4.45/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I grabbed the last four pack the store I work at had. The four pack is at least three years old.

Appearance: pours light, is a light crimson in color, off white head with hints of pink in the foam, translucent and not very cloudy

Smell: smells great, of tart raspberries, light and crisp, not very sweet. smells just like a raspberry tart.

Taste: tastes of tart raspberries and is not overly sweet, slightly malty, is dry and appealing, delicious. it tastes like a raspberry tart.

Mouthfeel: very light bodied, very crisp and well carbonated

Drinkability: extremely drinkable. I've had this beer before but this is top notch aged. I'd greatly recommend grabbing a bottle from someone if any remain. It's too bad this is retired.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2010 17:04:52 | More by aasher

BlindPig

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Thin light pink/white head than fades pretty quick. Sitting a cloudy dark pink/red body.
S- Big raspberry nose but also a nice helping of caramel malts that I wasn't expecting. It is a very interesting aroma. I think the way they brewed it really gives off many different layers of raspberries. I also want to say there is some grass hops in there too.
T- Very interesting taste. Many levels of raspberries blended in with a light alcohol that just tickles your tongue, sugar, a caramel body, and a hint of grass hops. The alcohol warms up back of throat just a touch. It feels like I am missing some flavors but at the same time I think it's just the raspberries. Nice fresh raspberries that blend between a sour and light bitterness.
M- Thin/medium body with a nice dry finish. Low amount of carbonation to really make this a nice finish.
D- I think this is an excellent brew and would get it again if I saw it in stores on vacation. Once again Founders didn't let me down (only on one or two of their brews)

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2007 03:17:44 | More by BlindPig

jasonjlewis

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a little head that fades fast, but some retention remains. Nice amber color.

Smell: Nice raspberry smell with some faint malts underneath.

Holy shit what nice flavor from the fruits, no off tannins just pure nice fruit flavor. The maltiness isn't anything I can pick apart but it's sweetness balances nicely with the raspberries.

Creaminess on the palate with light carbonation. PERFECT!

I could drink this beer all fucking day, oh man.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2007 04:11:43 | More by jasonjlewis

ckeegan04

Texas

4.55/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a hazy reddish-pink color with foamy light pink head. Decent retention and lacing. Granted, not what a normal beer looks like, but with raspberries added it seems appropriate.

S - Sweet smell of raspberries with just a little tartness. No other discernable aromas.

T - Light sweetness initially, primarily raspberry in flavor. A lip-puckering tartness comes through mid-drink to provide an excellent balance to the sweetness. Finishes slightly tart. Nothing artificial tasting at all about this fruit beer, excellent job Founders.

M/D - Medium bodied and slightly sticky/syrupy on the feel. Very refreshing and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2008 23:14:22 | More by ckeegan04

Skidz

Wisconsin

4.63/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours out a hazy pinkish color and sits a lightly foggy pimped out ruby-pink in the glass with a good sized pink-tinted head, fading slowly to a light skim. Very wine-like in appearance, a young pinot noir is most comparable in tone. Tampax is now at the ready...

Smells of ripe, juicy red raspberries. Tart, creamy sides with hints of honey and smooth malty core. Very attractive, but not overpowering.

Tastes lightly sweet up front, nice initialy malt presence. Raspberry flavors start out soft and sweet, and tartness intensifies to a peak of fruit flavors. Doses of grapes, apricots and raspberries are all jammed up and spread out over a layer of lighlty toasted malts. Finish lends a very mild bitterness, fruit flavors linger on and on.

Soft, young body boasts light and pillowy carbonation. Very refreshing and flows very well.

I've had very few good fruit beers, and this is one of them. For those who can't handle the over-the-top fruit mimicry done by New Glarus (which I think are excellent), this might be right up your alley. Fruit flavor is nicely balanced and allows the inner beer shine through just enough. Well suited for a (expensive) fruit beer session. Very tasty, and I'm not surprised one bit. Founders has impressed me yet again.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2005 02:49:33 | More by Skidz

Frozensoul327

Michigan

4.65/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Damn, this beer near killed me when I opened it. A loud pop like a .22 rimfire. Don't know why or how. Anyway, so upon pouring, the carbonation rears it's head and i'm left with 4 inches of foam, and 1 inch of beer. Ok... Um, this is different. Finally it cooled off and I was able to pour it and really get into it. Dark raspberry red color with high carbonation. Major foamy head was present. Aromas of raspberries and some malt with a touch of sweet alcohol. Taste is exceptional. Right up a the fruit beer alley; flavors of raspberries, strawberries, malt, sweet hops and alcohol blend in fantastic harmony. Tartness is present yet not overpowering, adding to the presentation of the flavors. Sour finish is smooth and slightly warming. Mouthfeel is light and airey, not watery or sticky like some other fruit beers. This beer has a high level of drinkability, as this could be enjoyed year round, but more so in the summer. Highly recommended beer for this unique style. If you want raspberries in your beer, look to this, not a rasberry eisbock.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2005 01:32:28 | More by Frozensoul327

benito

Oregon

4.65/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Fourteen bucks for a six pack of a fruit beer? I was skeptical, but now I'm a convert, as this is the best fruit beer I've seen available on the American market.

It is a raspberry red with hints of brown and a strong, fruity bouquet...of raspberry. The flavor is equally aggressive--lots of raspberry throughout and a slight alcohol presence in back to remind me that this is a beer. What sets this beer apart from so many other fruit brews is its overall feel. Like New Belgium's Frambozen (and for the record, I believe that this is a far superior beer to Frambozen) it has a strength of body and dry finish that balance out the fruit well. As it should, raspberry dominates almost every aspect of this beer; however, it doesn't go fully unchecked. What's more, it's got tremendous length with a sweet and sour aftertaste that lingers long after each swallow.

This is a top-notch summer brew that, as I understand it, was brewed with the intention of 'dethroning' the American pale wheat ale as the unquestioned king of easy-drinking Summer styles. Rubaeus makes a good case that APWAs should play second fiddle to other, more challenging and equally refreshing summer styles--saisons, kolschs, or, in this case, a full-bodied fruit beer. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2006 02:21:43 | More by benito

CameronCosby

Michigan

4.65/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This beer drinks really easy and isn't very filling, which is what I liked the most about it. Have it on tap at my bar (Old Chicago in Okemos Michigan). Nothing to complain about with this beer except the price. Founders makes great
beers, holding it down in the Midwest market.

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2008 01:23:12 | More by CameronCosby

gdfan47

Pennsylvania

4.68/5  rDev +20%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

i kinda steer away from most sweet beers since i got into flander's and guezze's but this one is worth checking out

first off my grandmother used to grow rasberries in her backyard, so growing up we always had jam and fresh raspberries

so needless to say i like rasberries

this one is very good
in my opinion much better than a popula belgian rasberry lambic(which shall remain namelss)

good work founders

this is good, kinda too sweet to drink more than a few , but def nice and im very happy i can get it sometimes

ps they also make an imperial version (blushing monk) I have yet to try this but really want to

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2008 09:30:43 | More by gdfan47

rousee

Massachusetts

4.72/5  rDev +21%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Beautiful magenta pour. Small head. Smell is vinegar and sugarplums, apples also, and I guess some raspberries. The taste is absolutely amazing !!!

This is one of the finest American examples of taking a Belgian sour/Flemish red and blending it with a sweet lambic like Lindemann's framboise. An excellent combo. The mouthfeel and drinkability are excellent also.This one is really worth seeking out.

Tasting notes:(in addition to sour cherries/raspberries would be some real woody maltiness)

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2006 01:27:44 | More by rousee

BlueHammer

Connecticut

4.72/5  rDev +21%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I was on a fruit beer kick today! The Rubaeus was my fourth fruit beer of the day and I have to say it was impressive! Poured from the bottle, it was a deep opaque brown with reddish tones. It smells of a strong, sweet rasperry, an almost syrupy smell. It tastes of a strong raspberry flavor but the sourness very nicely balances the fruity sweetness! The flavor was delicious and refreshing. It was smooth through the entire glass. This was a thoroughly enjoyable finish to the day.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2006 01:40:20 | More by BlueHammer