Frambozen Raspberry Brown Ale - New Belgium Brewing

kojevergas

California

3.13/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into a nonical pint glass in me gaff in high altitude Castle Rock, Colorado. Reviewed live. Expectations are average; I sipped one of these last week and wasn't horribly impressed. 6.5% ABV confirmed. Best before 02/17/13.

Served straight from the fridge. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

Not paired with food.

A: Pours a three finger head of pink-beige colour, poor thickness, limited cream, and good retention for the above average ABV (5+ minutes). Body colour is a vibrant light amber/red. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show.

Sm: Raspberries, light tartness, clean malts, a fleeting vague hint of soap, and a bit of sourness. A fairly strong fruity aroma. Pleasant and inviting. No yeast or alcohol is detectable.

T: Raspberry sweetness and some tartness. Quite sugary/sweet. Fruity all around. Clean malty foundation. Hopping is floral and vague. Balanced but simple. Lacks complexity and subtlety. That said, it's a pleasant easy drinking beer and it's pretty well executed for what it is. Clean and enjoyable.

Mf: Smooth and wet. A touch too thin. Slightly overcarbonated. Good palate presence, though it could use a bit more body.

Dr: Very drinkable, but not unique or special. I might have it on draught if I'm in the mood for a fruit beer. A decent offering from New Belgium.

As a side note, I think the moniker is misleading. Don't expect anything remotely close to a framboise in the sour sense of the connotation.

C+

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 03:56:42 | More by kojevergas

mactrail

California

4.33/5  rDev +18%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I do think this has one of the best aromas of any fruit-flavored beer, which is probably why I've liked it a lot over the years. Fizzy, champagne mouthfeel, reddish tint to the amber color in the New Belgium snifter.

Taste is a little sour, in keeping with real-world raspberries, with enough roasted malt to give it some mellow beeriness. Not much sweetness and a light body. Fruit flavor comes through on a high note.

Aside from the powerful fruit nose, it's a subtle experience. I can see why some may not like the flavor, but I look forward to it every year as a favorite Christmas seasonal, an alternative to the dark raisin bombs.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2011 03:28:06 | More by mactrail

Dogbrick

Ohio

3.6/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Acquired via trade. This is one of the better Fruit Beers I have tried, mostly because the fruit flavoring is not as in-your-face. Pours a dark ruby color with a thin light beige head and almost no lacing. Aroma is all raspberry. As mentioned, the raspberry flavor is less pronounced than in similar beers, it does taste more like a beer with raspberry added than a raspberry beer. Despite not being particularly strong, this would probably get old after the first couple. Finish is smooth but gets a little sour toward the end.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2003 08:46:33 | More by Dogbrick

JohnGalt1

Idaho

3.53/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Haven't seen this in Boise for years... Cool. Picked this one up at the COOP tonight. Poured into my Old Guardian goblet... thin tan head with a definite pinkish tinge. The brew is very clear walnut brown... just spots of lacing.

Nose is distinctive "real raspberry".... also shows a nice clean brown malty character with deep toast and hints of lite cocoa.

Flavor mirrors the nose and is actually pretty dry... just clean malts and sorta jammy raspberry essence.... pretty refreshing actually. Body is a bit on the light side, but plenty of smooth small bubble carbonation makes it seem a little creamy.

I am enjoying it more than I remember, but I still am only going to want this one bottle.

4/3.5/3.5/3.5/3.5

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2010 03:28:03 | More by JohnGalt1

tavernjef

Minnesota

4.22/5  rDev +15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

What a wonderful little brew with an exceptionally nice looking color with its dark syrupy brown with deep raspberry red tints and glowing even deeper when up to the light. Small off-white that fades fast and there isn't any real lace being left, which is fine by me cuz the glowing reddish quality is superb to see. Like looking into the heart of a raspberry jelly jar. Speaking of which, thats the smell of this delightful treat, fresh raspberry jam, albiet a bit subdued, but its there and freshly so. Some alcoholic hints and malts find there way past the raspberry jam aroma making this smell like a raspberry popsicle dipped in a alcoholic punch. Taste is exactly like the smell, a good amount of raspberry jam, somewhat lightly flavored and easier then I was hoping. Its not the raspberry tart of the New Glarus variety, not by a long shot, but this about being more calm and subdued, or at least it comes across that way. One dimensional in its character with easy fruity tang of raspberry jam all over the place, a touch of the alcohol pokes through along with a pleasant little orange flavor and finishes lightly of banana and sweet malts. Feel has a creamy start with a little fizz in the midway point with light carbonation and finishes with a tingley little raspberry zip and slight fruity dryness. Super drinkable and a nice little treat, would make for a great after meal dessert drink. Finished it no time and wanting more.

Thanks to jeffboo for the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2003 02:57:06 | More by tavernjef

thagr81us

South Carolina

2.78/5  rDev -24.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served from bottle into a New Belgium globe. Poured a ruby red-orange with one finger off-white head that subsided to a minimal amount slowly. Maintained nice lacing throughout the glass. The aroma as comprised of sweet malt, raspberry, fruit, and cream. The flavor was of sweet malt, raspberry, cream, roasted malt, and fruit. It had a medium feel on the palate with medium-high carbonation. Overall this was a fairly average brew. I have to be completely honest here… I really didn’t enjoy this brew too much. It wasn’t as my doppelganger’s fiancée says, “nasty crap”. But one bottle was pretty much enough for all of us drinking this one. Four of us had a bottle while spreading mulch and none of us went back for another. While it wasn’t one of the worst brews I’ve ever had, it just wasn’t nice. Wish it would have not been a brown ale as that might have saved it. But to each their own I suppose…

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2012 10:49:56 | More by thagr81us

ccrida

Oregon

3.58/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Fresh new 12 oz bottle (best before 30Jan09) poured into my St. Feuillien goblet, Frombozen is a dark reddish brown with a bubbly off-white head that leaves heavy lace.

Smell is sweet raspberry, chalk and musty wood. Served just above fridge temp, the smell is moderate, with the raspberry growing as it warmed.

Taste is big on raspberry but not overly sweet, the brown ale providing a firm, spicy bitterness. The caramel malt goes well with the tartness of the berry.

Mouthfeel is pretty creamy, rounded, but with a dry finish. Medium bodied.

Drinkability is pretty good, but I still don't think I want more then 1 at a time. While not my favorite style, the raspberry went well with the Belgian style brown ale. I wish this had been a sour brown instead, but I didn't expect that when I bought it and do not hold it against them.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2008 04:39:56 | More by ccrida

largadeer

Kentucky

3.45/5  rDev -6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: Clear but very dark mahogany in color, purple highlights give this a really pretty color. The off-white head shows a hint of purple as well, rising to a two finger height.

Smell: Chocolate covered raspberries immediately come to mind. Nicely balanced between sweet and tart aromas, but lacking in depth. This would be really nice if it were a bit more bold.

Taste & mouthfeel: Toasted grain and mildly tart berries - this tastes somewhat like one of those healthful breakfast cereals with freeze dried berries in it. There's a touch of chocolate, mild caramel sweetness and light acidity. Medium-light in body, rather dry on the whole actually. Not a bad brew, but something's missing here - depth of flavor I suppose? It's certainly decent, but it sounds better on paper. I could see this being good if executed better.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2008 04:26:57 | More by largadeer

avalon07

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a ruby color and a clear consistency. There was an inch of foamy, off white, long-lasting head. Good lacing. Head and lacing were both excellent for a fruit beer, which is usually deficient in this category.

S: A sweet, fruity smell of raspberries, malt, and something sugary.

T: Tasted of raspberries (of course), malt, and some caramel. Very vibrant and flavorful. Not nearly as tart as you might expect.

M: A highly carbonated beer with a slightly slick finish. Light-bodied.

D: A well made, drinkable fruit beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2010 13:11:15 | More by avalon07

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clean orange-ish to brown in color with a light tan head. In the aroma, malty and a small raspberry tartness. In the taste, a small tart raspberry and a nice caramel malt. A smooth and medium bodied mouthfeel, with a small dry tart raspberry in the aftertaste. Nice tart with big raspberry, with a decent brown ale under all of that.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 18:25:39 | More by OWSLEY069

Tone

Missouri

3.9/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear, dark amber color. 1/5 inch head of a pink-cream color. Slight retention and poor lacing. Smells of raspberry, sweet malt, yeast, and slight earthy aroma. Fits the style of Fruit / Vegetable Beer. Mouth feel is sharp and smooth with an average carbonation level. Tastes of slight roasted malt, sweet malt, yeast, and raspberries. Overall, smooth, good blend, and nice body.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2010 01:43:26 | More by Tone

Bitterbill

Wyoming

4.43/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from bottle(room temp) a deep gold-brown with a good sized head that showed good lacing.

The smell is all raspberry and that's just fine with me as I want as much infusion of the fruit in this ale as I can get!

The taste is a wonderful mix of raspberry and malt and works so darn well, it's hard to put the glass down. I've enjoyed this brew for many years and will continue to as long as NB wants to brew it. ;^)

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2005 20:50:54 | More by Bitterbill

twiggamortis420

Texas

3.55/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle with a best before stamp of 12FEB10, last of a sixer I bought in November 09. Pours a pretty clear, dark copper color with a pinkish hue. Medium sized, small-bubbled reddish foam displays average retention and the beer leaves lots of nice lacing on the glass. The red-tinted foam is interesting and noteworthy.

Nose has plenty of raspberries there with some sweet, slightly toasty darker malts. The fruit smells pretty fresh and not forced or artificial.

Tastes better than I remember the rest of the six-pack tasting a month or so ago, seems like the flavors have melded together a bit more of the sweetness in the beer has come out to play. I remember the fruit vying for attention with an unnecessary hop content and darker malts, the latter still being the case. The tartness of the raspberries seems to be a bit much and there is not a whole lot of sweetness going on here to help balance it out. I am on the fence with this beer, one sip I think it is pretty tasty and then the next not so much. I guess it is just one of those beers I do not want much more than one in a sitting and there are plenty of other fruit beers out there I like better. Still, not bad, and quite an intriguing and thought provoking beer for me.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2010 02:43:01 | More by twiggamortis420

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.98/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

not usually a fruit beer guy, but this brown ale packs a perfect mix of tart (NOT SWEET) raspberry fruit with some excellent caramel malts and the new belgium classic yeast notes. nose is sharp and puckery, with an boozey malty backbone. more balanced fruit in the taste, with a really smooth finish. this is a very sessionable beer and will be in my fridge again during this holiday season. a clever beer from new belgium, well done

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2011 05:09:03 | More by StonedTrippin

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.15/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a New Belgium globe.
6.5% ABv, Serve at 50°F, Best Before 24FEB13

A - Steady carbonation rises from the glass' nucleation point through the vibrant dark ruby colored beer to keep the loose pile of light pastel pink foam afloat. As the suds slowly sink, they leave drifts of lace all over the glass.

S - Frambozen opens with a robust raspberry aroma that's reminiscent of the fruit-filled lambics of Belgium though not quite as sweet. In fact, more tartness than anything blankets the faintly roasted brown malts which provide a complimentary cocoa and chocolate quality, however dull. Exactly what I'd imagine a brown ale with raspberries added smells like.

T - Gently raspberry fruitiness nudges the base maltiness of this beer with a tartness which works very well with the mildly roasted malts which provide a touch of chocolate to the beer. Cocoa and hops linger on the finish with a dry earthiness.

M - Medium-bodied and well carbonated, this brown ale starts with a classic dryness which lingers and is aided by tart raspberries for a refreshing and soothing beer with a light, crisp bite.

O - New Belgium carefully manages to extract the core concept of a fruity framboise and applies it to a brown ale while maintaining the beer qualities keeping it level and fruity without being completely fruity. Frambozen is a nice winter seasonal that offers gentle festive cheer without being over the top fruity or strong; these could be kicked back by the 6-pack at family gatherings no problemo.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 23:14:06 | More by BeerFMAndy

francisweizen

Australia

4/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is one of the better Raspberry beers that I have had lately. It pours a nice ruddy, yeasty brown colour with a small cap of white foam. The aromas are of tart raspberries, and nice belgian malts and yeast. The taste is very berry-ish, but also very belgian-y. This reminds me of a light alcohol Belgian dubble, mixed with a low abv lindemans framboise. Or something like that:-) The mouthfeel is creamy and smooth and the drinkability is good. Nice!

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2003 18:12:48 | More by francisweizen

GClarkage

California

3.88/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11/30/04- Purchased at my local Safeway in San Mateo, CA

Appearance- Pours a dark mohagany reddish color. Adequate head and light lacing.

Smell- Really not much of anything. A bit of rasperry fruityness at most.

Taste- Nice mix of raspberries and dark chocolate. More fruity than chocolaty. I guess it's the malt I taste in the background. Very tasty.

Mouthfeel- Goes down with ease as I drained it in about 5 minutes. Very nice carbonation level. Kind of like a soda.

Drinkability- Easily drinkable. Not as sweet as I expected. Kind of like a lambic, but not as sour. I nice change of pace drink that would be good during a cold or hot day. Glad I picked this one up.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2004 06:39:34 | More by GClarkage

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

3.58/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I got this beer in a trade with arvjunk. Thanks Ankur!

12oz bottle served in a large wine glass.

L - dark brown color with a beige head that left a few spots of lacing behind.

S - sweet raspberry aroma.

T - some upfront sweetness turns towards a tart berry taste with a dry, bitter finish.

F - medium bodied with a lively feel.

D - not bad for starting or ending an evening.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2011 23:46:06 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

flagmantho

Washington

3.83/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Bottle indicates this is best before 12 Feb 2010.

Appearance: rich amber brown with one finger of tan head. Pretty nice.

Smell: toasty, nutty aroma of a good brown ale. Just the faintest hint of raspberry. Pretty good.

Taste: a lot more raspberry than in the nose, but it is pretty good nonetheless. The fruit tastes natural and complements the brown ale well; a little of the nuttiness and caramel shine through. So far this is among my favorite of New Belgium's offerings.

Mouthfeel: medium-light body with a nice level of carbonation.

Drinkability: this is quite a drinkable beer. When I'm in the mood for a fruit beer this is what I'm usually seeking: a good base beer with just a little natural fruit added.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2009 20:19:23 | More by flagmantho

tdm168

North Carolina

3.63/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a ruby amber with a half inch of dense, off white head that has decent retention. The nose is predominantly raspberries. The taste is intense raspberries up front with some caramel malt undertones in the finish. This is a medium bodied beer with a good deal of carbonation.

Overall, this is a decent beer if you really like raspberries. In my opinion it's a little sweet and one dimensional.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 01:52:03 | More by tdm168

merlin48

Kentucky

3.85/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a goblet, this has a clear, radiant ruby body when held to the light. Small offwhite head quickly falls to lasting collar and film lace, with spotty lace on the glass, as well. Active carbonation is very visible.
Aroma is a pleasant union of malt, fresh berry, and an earthy fresh mushroom note of yeast.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation.
Taste is evenly balanced between caramel and chocolate malt flavors and fresh raspberries. The berry character is a bit understated, and doesn't overpower. There is a yeast note that evokes fresh morel mushrooms, similar to what I picked up in Troegs Mad Elf. Finish is slightly dry, with a muted raspberry aftertaste. Just enough hops bittering to balance the malt and berry sweetnesss.
This is an excellent fruit beer, ideal with desserts or as a nightcap. Thanks to babydoc for sending this one my way.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2005 12:42:33 | More by merlin48

Vancer

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Holiday party ale – good start, a ruby brown with sliding laces. Aroma was also malty, with just hints of raspberry. Taste, well, malty with, of course, undertones of raspberry and some cherry and chocolates.

Mouth is very tart and crisp, the carbs pack a punch and will awaken your taste buds. Very tangy, but perhaps a bit to sweet, you just can’t drink more that 2 before your mouth starts puckering up.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2005 21:32:10 | More by Vancer

Deuane

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to therealnomayo for the offering.

A-Bright, ruby highlighted dark copper brown witha medium light tan head that fades quickly to a thin cap that deposits a little lace.

S-Stinging raspberry acidity and not much else. This is quite one dimensional.

T-Light brown ale base and a healthy dose of raspberry acidity compete for dominance. In the end I feel that the raspberry bite wins out in the end but barely. I would hope for a bit more sour zing with this one.

M-Medium-light bodied and muddled in the end. Not sweet or sharp and ends with a confusing dry finish.

D-I don't hate it but I don't love it either. It was good but it didn't wow me like I had hoped it would. Considering what NBB can do with fruit beers this one disappointed me.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2010 00:36:18 | More by Deuane

GbVDave

Illinois

4/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Loterbol tulip. Thanks to HeatherAnn for the assist! Thanks to Dorothy and Udo for the hook-up!

Best before 15 Feb '08

A: Pours a dark, dark ruby color. With a slightly off-white head that's fed briefly by some lazy effevescence. Pretty looking film of lace coats the glass.

S: Inviting aromas of fresh raspberries, chocolate, yeast, and bisuit-y malt.

T: Juicy, tart, and finally dry, raspberry flavors take center stage. Following closely is a subtle mix of the aforementioned chocolate, yeast, and biscuits.

M: Initially, it has the potential to be quite pucker inducing, but the underlying flavors take the edge off the tartness and round out the palate.

D: This is a very easy drinking fruit beer and should please many people.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2007 00:43:41 | More by GbVDave

emmasdad

Colorado

3.18/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Having enjoyed this one a lot when I lived in San Diego (I found it in a suburb of Phoenix) and again when I first moved to Denver, I rashly bought a case. I think I gave away 5 or 8 bottles to a hooker, but I digress. poured a clear dark reddish brown with a large lasting tan head. Aromas of raspberry and cocoa. Palate was light bodied, smooth and a bit tart. Flavors of raspberry and a bit of cocoa with a smooth slightly tart finish.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2011 21:55:24 | More by emmasdad