Sea Dog Raspberry Wheat Ale - Sea Dog Brewing Company

mfnmbvp

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +31.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle, with the label notches saying best before October 2012, so we're a little late to the party but oh well. Another random find off the mix a six pack shelf at the local beer store. My bottle is a little different than the one pictured, and says only Sea Dog Raspberry, with the bottle claiming at 4.70% abv rather than the 4.5% listed by BeerAdvocate. "Beer with natural flavor added". We'll see. This is review #200 for me!

Poured into a Firestone Walker pint glass.

A - Pours a nice bright golden orange colored body with about three fingers of tall fluffy off-white head; slightly cloudy. Lots of carbonation bubbles rising to the top. Fluffy lacing.

S - Nice raspberry iced tea bag type smell; the raspberries don't smell completely natural, although they don't smell sick or medicinal either. Has a berry juice concentrate type of smell to it. Bit of a grassy wheat presence in there also.

T - Taste is comprised of bready malt and wheat with a hint of raspberry tartness. Raspberry is subdued and isn't overwhelming, which may be because this beer is beyond it's prime. Either way, it works for me, and there is enough juicy fruit presence to keep things interesting, and the raspberry tastes authentic enough. Has a metallic / coppery sort of aftertaste.

M - Feel is crisp & carbonated, but not overly so. Sugary, a bit tart, & some metallic aftertaste.

Overall, it impressed me well enough, considering I was expecting cheap medicinal swill, like I have run into before. A pleasant surprise from a brewery that was previously unknown to me. Nice and light-bodied, with an easy sipping 4.70% abv, this would go good on a hot summer day. Definitely a beer I would have again, and I am interested in trying more from Sea Dog Brewing Co.

Sea Dog Raspberry ---4/5.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 19:55:57 | More by mfnmbvp

SaCkErZ9

Florida

3.58/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

First of all, this one does not look like a wheat beer at all mit pours crystal clear with a smallish white head of okay size. Some lacing but nothing of note.

The aroma is more wheat like with some cloveiness and wheat yeast being apparent. Slight raspberry aromas but definitely not overdone withthe raspberry.

I am actually digging the flavor. It is light and refreshing. There is definitely raspberry, but it doesnt seem artificial, rather more like a fresh raspberry flavor. I wouldnt compare this to Wisconsin Belgian or anything, but I find the raspberry flavor quite authentic and tasty.

Mouthfeel is a little chewy with a nice finish. I do get some adjunct sort of flavors in the finish.

Certainly an easy drinker and probably a great beer for summer beach time. I may have to revisit this in the summer. I was actually surprised with the tastiness of this one. Who knew!

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 21:45:23 | More by SaCkErZ9

cbutova

Massachusetts

2.43/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A- Fairly hazy golden-orange body pours into a pint glass with a silky white head. The cap builds to about one finger and has lackluster retention. No lace right away but a nice blanket of smooth foam covers most of the bottom of the glass.

S- A blast of raspberries comes off the beer right after the pour. The fruit aroma is inviting but has just a bit of an artificial feel. Beyond that is a hint of bread and light malts.

T- The good from the nose really doesn't hold up that well here. I mostly get just a diluted raspberry flavor that kind of reminds me of melted fruit popsicles. Also hints of light malts, sugars, vegetables and fruit soda.

MF- Very light body with high-end, foamy carbonation. The overall consistency is like a soda, not all that creamy and fizzy. Not sure hops are even used in this beer (sarcasm).

It is sort of hard to take these beers seriously sometimes. It really reminds me a ton of soda more than beer, you could easily trick me. Mostly tastes like watered down raspberries, meh.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 01:33:24 | More by cbutova

microbrewlover

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This brew pours an orange-brown color with a half inch head which dissapates fairly quickly.

The smell is very sweet, full of raspberries as well as straw and wheat.

The taste follows the nose with a strong, sweet taste of raspberries follwed by straw and wheat. There were no detecable malts or hops.

The mouthfeel is crisp and clean, sweet and tart; very slightly chewy.

Overall this is a decent beer for a hot summer day; serve cold. Fruit beers tend to be simple but this one is too simple. It would benefit from some complexity; some malts and/or hops to distract from the super sweetness of the raspberries.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 22:51:09 | More by microbrewlover

TheSixthRing

California

2.85/5  rDev -4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Appearance - Pours a clear, golden orange with a fizzy half inch head which, if you blink, you might miss it. About a quarter size worth of lace remains in the middle of the glass.

Smell - Smells like raspberries, wheat and a hint of alcohol.

Taste - Starts with a touch of wheat on the tongue, followed rapidly by sweetened raspberry notes which then fade into the finish.

Mouthfeel - Watery, and poorly carbonated. There's a little bite, but not nearly enough; comes across as flat.

Overall - I feel like I'm drinking a diet raspberry soda that's been sitting out for several hours. Their blueberry offering isn't great, but it's better than this.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 02:49:41 | More by TheSixthRing

tdm168

North Carolina

3/5  rDev +1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - copper with a big, fizzy, off white head that fades quickly to a thin lacing

S - artificial raspberries

T - sweet raspberry syrup

M - light bodied, crisp, a bit heavily carbonated, sticky

This is a rather mediocre beer. The artificial syrup dominates the aroma, flavor, and mouthfeel. I'll avoid this in the future.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2012 01:57:49 | More by tdm168

yesyouam

New York

3.4/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Sea Dog Raspberry is a very clear, very sparkling golden beer with a thin white head that quickly dissipates into a swirling film. It has a huge raspberry candy aroma. It's light bodied and very lively. The finish is quick and clean. The flavor is dominated by raspberry. It seems kind of sweet. There is a little leafy bitterness at the finish. It's like sweetened raspberry tea. This is very simple. This is perfect for, like, children. It would be a major hit at a slumber party. That said, I find it quite enjoyable. It's good for slamming, ice cold.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 19:04:39 | More by yesyouam

jmbranum

Oklahoma

3.03/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Cute bottle with a dog on the label.

Aroma is the best part of this beer. Tons of raspberries.

Pours a clear light amber/dark gold with a white head.

Flavor is... well rather cloying. Way too sweet and not enough tartness. Strange aftertaste.

Medium to light mouthfeel.

I ended up throwing in some raspberries to improve it. Not sure if it helped but it is pretty in the glass. Overall though, this beer just isn't very interesting.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2011 06:06:05 | More by jmbranum

zeff80

Missouri

2.78/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

A - Poured out a clear golden color with orange highlights. It had a small, white head of fizzy, bubbly foam. It left no lacing to speak of.

S - It smelled of sweet raspberry. Some caramel and that's it.

T - Sweet raspberry up front with some caramel and wheat flavors.

M - It was crisp, sharp and very smooth. A light bodied ale with a very clean finish.

O - This just doesn't do it. It could use some tart to balance the sweet.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 00:58:04 | More by zeff80

BEERMILER12

Maine

3.1/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Pours a clear straw yellow with almost no head that fizzles out quickly

S: Raspberry, some malts, and possibly some light grassy hops

T: Raspberry overtones along with some malts and light hops. The aftertaste brings them together the most, and the beginning is just a slam of raspberry followed by the malts and hops. Fairly unbalanced until the aftertaste, and even then it's still quite a mess and all over the place

M: Light bodied with moderate carbonation

O: This is an average fruit beer that will satisfy your girlfriend and not much else. The raspberry is definitely there, it just isn't very well balanced with the other elements that make this a beer

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2011 22:36:49 | More by BEERMILER12

Tastybeer007

Georgia

3.28/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

i have tried a couple of "blueberry"/ "raspberry" beers and i havent liked much.

The appearance is nothing to be excited about, the foam doesnt last more than two seconds....

The smell was good. It smelled a little bit like fruit/berries but you could still smell the hops and malts and the beer-like smell.

It wasnt too carbonated, and it was not too sweet either. It had a hint of raspberry flavor, which did not taste artificial to me, but I could still taste malt and beer.
It was a tad watery, and I am sure some will not like, but I can say I could drink this again..

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2011 22:22:44 | More by Tastybeer007

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.15/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle, best before Dec 2011, 4.7% ABV, and attributed to Pugsley Brewing LLC., Bangor, Maine. Perhaps I need to do some Anheuser Busch-level back-tracing...

This beer pours a clear medium golden colour, with one scrawny finger of fizzy white head, which doesn't have the courtesy of even asking for directions before disappearing in a flash, leaving nothing in the way of lace. It smells of sweet green raspberry puree, generic pastry malt, and mild earthy hops. The taste is somewhat acrid grainy malt, chemical-oriented raspberry fruitiness, and further nondescript drying, more hoppy that boozy, given the input parameters. The carbonation is moderate, and a bit zippy, the body approaching medium weight, aided by some sugary uplift. It finishes off-dry, the grainy, mildly pseudo-raspberry fruitiness carrying the day.

Not a bad fruit beer, if my barometer is widely-distributed US offerings. On its own, though, this is a mediocre, yet generally inoffensive fruit-forward pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2011 01:35:23 | More by biboergosum

K9AleingPiss

Oklahoma

3.15/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This bottle has no expiration marked ,the appearance was very nice. A trasparent gold,very clean looking,thought it was a pilsner,howver,not much head or lace. The odor almost adnauseam,as if you picked up someone's beer that had been chewing a big wad of dime-store bubble gum. The taste surprisingly was good,still could tell it was beer. I wouldnt ask for one,but if given to me,Id drink again. With all the fruit,no after taste, very smooth.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2011 01:36:28 | More by K9AleingPiss

jeffjeff1

California

3.05/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I picked this up at Cost Plus World Market.

Appearance- golden color, thin head that dissipates quickly

Smell- raspberries, malt

Taste- artificial raspberry flavor right off the bat and strong flavor of it

Mouthfeel- light bodied

Drinkability- ok but artificial flavor was too strong, probably would not buy it again but I would drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2011 03:25:54 | More by jeffjeff1

Brenden

Ohio

3.15/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This raspberry beer is a completely clear gold that's just lighter than verging into amber territory. An off-white head fades straightaway and little is left; the same goes for lacing.
The aroma is all raspberries, nicely sweet with a tart edge rather than the other way around. There's just enough actual beer character comes out to make this above average as the wheat and then an actual malts presence comes out.
Less of that comes out in the flavor, and there's just enough dull hops presence to go a little sour in the finish.
The body is light with a moderate carbonation and a nice, crisp feel. A bit of slickness comes through at the end of each sip.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2011 01:18:58 | More by Brenden

Portertime

Florida

2.23/5  rDev -24.9%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Sea dog is a female friendly beer. I know this because when I poured it at the tasting at my store, all the college girls loved it. Poured a blasé, thin amber color. They could have at least put a hint of red. This makes believe this will be a fake raspberry taste. Smell was thin and dominated by that faux raspberry puree sweetness. The taste was surprisingly tame and not oversweet but did not offer any complexity and actually took a turn for the worse with a flat maltiness and say, rasberry flavored Cheerios in the finish. Not the beer for me.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2011 01:11:02 | More by Portertime

JohnnyS17

Maryland

2.7/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Maybe a finger thick of head after the pour. It doesn't matter because it did not last long and left no lacing. I was surprised the beer had no hints of red in the color, just a clear amber.

It smells like stale wheat with sweet undertones. The taste is a very sweet raspberry. However, it tastes like artificial flavoring and not actual raspberries mixed in during the brewing. That probably explains the lack of a red tint to the color.

Light body and medium carbonation. Overall, "it is what it is" I guess. It is really sweet and tastes like raspberries. Maybe a good beer to start someone off on who is just beginning to drink beer. However, for me it lacks complexity and originality.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2011 19:13:41 | More by JohnnyS17

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

2.6/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

This beer reminded me a lot of Great Divides Raspberry Wheat. The color is a semi opaque golden with a white fluffy head. The aroma is strong with Raspberries which is really good. The flavors are packed with wheat and has just a slight taste of Raspberries. It's very minimal could use just a bit more. I understand they want to retain the beer flavor but I think that it could use just a bit more on the tongue. Mouthfeel is light and smooth, pretty refreshing for a summer brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2011 00:27:07 | More by Knapp85

shaunb81

Florida

2.78/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

At my local pub, I had tried almost everything on the menu, except this one.

Appearance - It pours golden brown with a dismal 1/4" foam head. Lacing is about the same. Ugh...

Smell - Obviously there are raspberries right off the bat with a slight apple nuance. Pungent grassy hops and a slight medicinal odor.

Taste - The fruit comes through in the front with a quick bitter middle. It finishes with long lasting berries. There are subtle bready malts. This beer gets a little skunky after about 15 minutes.

Mouthfeel - There is a major sting in the beginning. A little too much carbonation for my liking, but it goes away pretty soon. There is a creamy feel on the palate after a bit.

Overall - This is a decent wheat beer. It's decent because it's flavorful, but isn't overbearing with the fruit. It borderlines a cider and I'm not sure if I like that, but I'm willing to give it another go.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2011 05:54:25 | More by shaunb81

WVRadar

West Virginia

4.43/5  rDev +49.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

1/2 inch fizzy white head on a clear, sparkling deep gold body. Lots of bubbles rising to the top and good lacing slowly sliding down the glass. I'm not very good at describing the aroma, but the raspberry in this beer is unmistakable. Taste is a good match for the smell, light and sweet, and the raspberry is not subtle. Mouthfeel is medium, oily, fizzy. Probably too fruity for a lot of other beer drinkers, but I'm a sucker for this style. I could drink a few of these.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2011 00:55:51 | More by WVRadar

KajII

North Carolina

2.53/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

[Best served in a Flute glass]

Poured a sparkling clear amber with a very small white fizzy head that was fully diminishing and had poor lacing. The aroma was extremely strong of raspberry's with a mild sweet yeast and a light bread malt scent. It tasted sweet and very light with healthy notes of raspberry in the beginning and finished about the same with the flavor disappearing quite rapidly. Mouthfeel was light in body and watery in texture with a nice lively carbonation. Overall not a brew worth drinking again.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2011 17:17:58 | More by KajII

Cyberkedi

Georgia

2.65/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Aroma is strongly of raspberry and semi-sweet. It pours a clear yellow with a fairly fluffy white head. Flavor is malty with a raspberry overtone and a bit wan but still palatable. Texture is fairly fizzy, leaving behind a nice tingle and a surprising woody hint.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2011 01:15:52 | More by Cyberkedi

alleykatking

Indiana

1.85/5  rDev -37.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Poured from 12oz bottle.

A- Pours a golden color with light red hue to it. One finger white head shows poor retention. Light spotty lace on the sides of the glass.

S- Sickly artifical raspberries on the overall aroma. This might actually be the worst artifical raspberry aroma I have actually smelled. Some malted wheat in the background with a light adjunct cereal tone to it as well.

T- Raspberry and when I say that I mean artifical raspberry all around the flavor. I couldn't really taste much of anything else..maybe a little malted wheat in the backend with more of a alcohol finish.

M- Light mouthfeel. Carbonation is higher than what it should be for the style. Raspberry is all I can taste with some sweet alcohol in the aftertaste. Light drying on the palate from the alcohol. Flavors are raspberry overload and not balanced. No off flavors except for the artificial raspberry.

D- This beer was a artifical raspberry mess. The ABV was low on it but it could almost be like drinking Boones Farm. Watery at times and a mess of flavors. Not a good beer at all in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2011 04:08:56 | More by alleykatking

smakawhat

Maryland

2.35/5  rDev -20.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Pours a very small 1/2 finger head that dissipates quickly. Dark gold/copper clear with no head staying power, and no lacing. Medium carbonation and very watery looking.

Smell is predominant vegetative with a candy gummie bear fruit bouquet. Smells like penny candy with no wheat or chew biscuit components. Not that great.

Taste is flat, but a faint chew on after taste. However it's mouthfeel and bigger cheap gummy fruit taste is weak, stale, extremely wet, not even that fruity virtually no body in this beer at all.

I will never have one of these again and Sea Dog has done much better but this is really not good.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2010 17:29:09 | More by smakawhat

allergictomacros

Ontario (Canada)

3.1/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Clear straw with a thin head.

S - Lots of raspberry in the nose, with a background of wheatiness.

T - A little bit of tartness up front and a good dose of raspberry flavour. There's some husky grain, light hopping.

M - Kinda hard on the carbonation. Not too light bodied.

D - OK drinking fruit beer. Nothing special.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2010 22:11:06 | More by allergictomacros