Celis Raspberry - Michigan Brewing Company

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

2.17/5  rDev -25.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Bright peachy orange with a definite rosy hue. The softly creamy cap is ivory in color with contributions from pastel orange and pastel pink. I don't know that I've ever seen quite this combination of colors before in a glass of beer. The head lasts long enough to achieve respectability, but leaves no more than a few arching ribbons of lace.

The nose smells amazingly like orange-raspberry SweetTarts candy. Alternatively, it smells like children's chewable aspirin. How is it possible for beer to smell powdery, or to bring powdery substances to mind? Odd that. In any case, it smells nothing like good beer and will have to suffer the consequences.

Unfortunately, it tastes pretty much how it smells. I don't believe that I've ever had a beer quite like Celis Raspberry (and for that I'm thankful). As was the nose, the flavor is rampant with an artificial quality that is candy-like without being overly sweet. I'm not sure what the brewery did to get it to taste like this, but I wish they'd stop.

Tangy raspberry is identifiable, as is the same crushed, orange-flavored aspirin quality that was present in the nose. I'm sure that the greater than usual amount of fruit beer bitterness is contributing to the aspirin association in my mind. I'd like to see Celis Raspberry get a complete overhaul, because (as is) I can't even see it appealing to reluctantly beer drinking women.

I can't find too much fault with the body/mouthfeel. It weighs in at light-medium and holds up well throughout each mouthful. Even the amount of carbonation is to my liking. Too bad the flavor sucks.

I expected Celis Raspberry to be pretty good beer since I enjoyed Celis White and since I thought the two Michigan Brewing Company beers that I had in the past several weeks were enjoyable. The truth is though, this is one of the worst fruit beers that I've had in quite some time. Buyer (and drinker) beware.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2006 13:43:02 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.08/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle poured into an 8oz hotel glass

A - Poured a very amber colored amber with a deep rich tone and some good carbonation streaking up towards the top. No real signifcant head formed, and the only thing really of notice was some decent side glass lace and a thin film across the top.

S - The aroma was full of rasberry, however it was all chock full of grain which suprised me a little and lef me guessing. Some bready smells as well seemed to be ever present.

T- The flavor was somewhat drowned out, I was expecting a nice fruit beer and the fruit was there, just not nearly as strong as I would have liked. It was blended in with a thick grain and bread flavor that seemed to all but destroy the rasberry and make it take a second seat to the rest of it.

M - Very light bodied with a good carbonation profile that stayed around until the very end. I was actually quite impressed with how well balanced it was in the feel, untill it warmed and lost some of its warmth.

D - Not bad, but not good either. It was just a little off for me and not something I would care to have more then one of to be honest, but it could have been worse.

Overall nothing terrible but I have had better and this could have been better. I will look for something a little stronger next time, just seemed a little to generic.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2008 00:17:53 | More by mikesgroove

brentk56

North Carolina

2.25/5  rDev -22.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5

Appearance: Pours a vaguely pink-toned honey color with a rocky head that hangs around for a while but fails to deliver much lace

Smell: A cross between Pez and Children's Aspirin

Taste: Opens like it smells, although there is a developing yeasty complexity that keeps it from being merely awful; after the swallow, the yeast flavors fade and we are left with the awful opening elements

Mouthfeel: Light bodied with fizzy carbonation and a chalky mouthfeel

Drinkability: Off the charts

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2008 00:52:11 | More by brentk56

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

1.02/5  rDev -64.9%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

Sample at the Mondiale 2005: Poured a light reddish color ale with a bubbly head with minimal retention. Aroma is totally dominated by fake raspberry cough syrup. The chemical smell is overpowering and gross. Taste is also exclusively dominated by this horrible smell. This is a shame that Celis name is attached to such a foul drink.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2005 18:35:06 | More by Phyl21ca

WesWes

New York

3.88/5  rDev +33.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a light pink color with a 1/4" white head that quickly fades to lacing. The aroma is decent. It is a light raspberry scent. This is a scaled down version of the Celis I rememeber from Texas. The aroma is less intense. The taste is good. It has a smooth, fruity flavor along with light pale malt taste. Again, the TX version was fruitier; better. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a low bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a highly drinkable beer. It has a light fruit character along with a light malt taste.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2005 00:59:13 | More by WesWes

Mora2000

Texas

2.9/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

The beer pours a hazy golden color with a white head. The aroma is heavy on the raspberry with some biscuit malt mixed in. The flavor is definitely heavy on the fruit. I get a lot of sweet, syrupy raspberry with a tad bit of biscuit malt. The fruit tastes a bit artificial and is not that well done. Thin to medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2011 01:04:05 | More by Mora2000

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This beer poured out as a lightly hazy reddish color. The head was white and a little fizzy. The smell of the beer has some decent raspberry aromas. The taste had some sweet tart raspberries and a decent wheat like base. The mouthfeel is on the light side. Overall I found this beer to be average at best. It might be better to someone who really enjoys the style.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2011 00:03:50 | More by Knapp85

emerge077

Illinois

3.03/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

BBD: 6/23/11, Last one on the shelf.

Reddish orange color, hazy like a witbier, with a fingers width of white foam. Lasting skim, retention is above average, leaving spotty streaks of lace randomly in the glass.

Faint raspberry and sugar cookie aroma, though not overly sweet.

Faintly tart raspberry in the taste also, some dusty sweet candy wafer and sugar cookie again. Moderate carbonation, thin bodied. Pretty middle of the road stuff. Thankfully not overly sweet or syrupy, though it's fruit character doesn't come across as especially authentic either

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2011 01:13:36 | More by emerge077

WVbeergeek

Ohio

1.53/5  rDev -47.4%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

Beer man Dan put's it pretty well definitely a glorified malt beverage. Appearance is slightly pink hazed golden hue with a vibrant quickly fleeting white head leaves behind specks of scattered lacing. Aroma strong chemical smelling raspberry tone they claim it's juice but this sent is screaming extract. Taste has a sharp acidity to it between the wheat and raspberry "juice" it puts me off immediately. Lacks balance or any other substantial wit flavors horrible offering at least the others were pretty good, 3 outta 4 aint' bad. Mouthfeel is sticky with residual sugars in this syrupy extract like creation doesn't come together well carbonation is spritzy. Drinkability is definitely cloying early on in the drinking experience I would steer away and I plan to myself.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2006 16:35:54 | More by WVbeergeek

Billolick

New York

3.78/5  rDev +29.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce brown bottle, showing no freshness indication. Pours a softly cloudy light tangerine tone, minor pinkish white tiny bubble head and some sticky lacing left behind. Nose is the expected fruity sweet stuff. It swell like fuity lifesavers candy. This is a sweet, fruity ale. Raspberry flavor is subtle and not over powering. Pleasing slight dryness in the finish. Nice summer beer or with dessert. Worth a try for fruit beer enjoyers. Good to try on the fairer sex and/or with newbies.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2005 18:11:40 | More by Billolick

Zorro

California

1.63/5  rDev -44%
look: 1 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 1

Cloudy purple brown colored liquid with a faintly purple tinged head on it. Hard to even describe this as a beer, looks more like sewage water.

Smell is Very sweet with a vanilla and berry smell. Can't say it smells like raspberry just a vague berry smell.

Starts out sweet with a cloying vanilla wafer flavor. Berry flavor is at best an aftertaste.

Mouthfeel is OK.

Overall this is a Drain Pour! YUCK IF you are looking for a beer that looks like sewage and tastes like old cookies, this is IT!.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2011 00:56:56 | More by Zorro

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

1.53/5  rDev -47.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 2

Good golden color, solid carbonation and white head, lasts. Light, faint smell of raspberries, the color on the bottle makes me imagine something synthetic and medicinal about it though.

Way too sweet, a totally non enjoyable taste. Maybe if you're one of those alternative lifestyle types who like gueze, but I don't swing that way. Stays thin, kinda hot for this kind of beer. Nothing I'd like to have again, pricey as well. Pass.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2010 17:46:16 | More by Beerandraiderfan

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev +21.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Picked up at the brewery.

A: Pinkish-copper, clear, not at all hazy. Fizzy, white head, very little retention, tries to lace.

S: Sour fruit with an underlying sweet maltyness (toffee, cotton-candy).

T: Raspberry, a little malty bread/caramel, with a crisp, tart finish. There's a very nice sweet/tart balance (not too much funk).

M: Light to moderate body, slightly acidic; moderate carbonation.

D: Approachable & balanced, but not my thing.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2006 22:19:46 | More by Derek

Dogbrick

Ohio

3.05/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This beer pours a clear pinkish-orange color with a medium thin white head that diminishes steadily. Thin rings of lacing. Aroma of raspberries, yeast and corainder. Light, crisp body with a tart raspberry character. Light yeast, spice and bubblegum flavors as well. The finish is soft and fruity, and leaves a sweet spice aftertaste. Average all around.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2008 20:12:52 | More by Dogbrick

twiggamortis420

Texas

3.33/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a crystal clear (without the yeast) medium gold color with a fluffy white head that fades pretty quick. Leaves a nice collar and some decent lacing.

Smell is very much fruit forward - fresh smelling raspberries. Seems to have a wit-like backbone with some coriander and orange peel notes.

Yes, this is definitely a wit with raspberries added in. The fruit adds a tart sweetness to the spicy base brew...doesnt seem to work quite right. Pretty refreshing and crisp, I'd drink it again, but I like the Celis White better.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2009 02:59:54 | More by twiggamortis420

bluejacket74

Ohio

3.3/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 ounce bottle, date on bottle says 4/1/2008. I'm not sure if this is a bottling date or a best by date. Served in a pint glass, the beer pours a weird dark gold/pink color with an inch white head. Head retention and lacing are both low. The aroma is raspberries (more like syrup then fresh raspberries) and candy sugar. It doesn't smell bad at all, but then I like raspberries a lot too. Taste is the same as the aroma, like sugar and raspberry candy/syrup. There's more of an artificial raspberry taste than anything else. Mouthfeel/body is light, and it's not watery. Drinkability is OK, not awful but not exactly good either. Overall it's an average beer, but it's not as good as other raspberry and fruit beers I've had. With that being said, I wouldn't turn down one of these but I wouldn't go out of my way to seek it out either.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2008 00:40:58 | More by bluejacket74

Deuane

Pennsylvania

2.2/5  rDev -24.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

A-Dark pink, like rose wine. with a small white head that leaves some lacing behind.

S-Some maltiness but the overwhelming presence of "fake" raspberries. Reminded me of St. Joeseph's Childrens Aspirin...and that is not good for a beer!

T-See above....WTF! Are there real raspberries in here or is it all extract? I really do not like this. It is barley above drinkable for me. I was hoping for something along the lines of a poor man's New Glarus Rasp. Tart....no such luck!

M-Medium carbonation with a light body.

D-I doubt I will ever want this again....I actually did not finish it. The sick sweetness was too overwhelming for me. I also did not appreciate the "fake" fruit tatse.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2008 13:39:56 | More by Deuane

Metalmonk

North Carolina

3.43/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Fiery orange/rust with reddish tint, small cap of foam that thins to a crown quickly. Not much lace at all.

Raspberry is obvious in the nose, but also something like fruit skins, mostly apple but some other berry varieties. A sweetness like cake frosting, cake batter or flavored bubblegum. Real nice.

More cake batter in flavor, with raspberry as the main fruit (ya think?). Enough malty sweetness that it's not one-dimensional, but it loses its appeal after the first couple impressive sips.

Soft, buttery texture is nice and goes well with the cake batter character (was more carbonated at first, but I'm reviewing it now as just barely below room temperature). Only a mild tartness in the finish, and not as puckering as many other fruit beers.

Not bad at all. I miss the Belgian-ness that this seems to boast. Yeast is muted here, in every category, and a yeasty presence would've been the thing to help this sit with the big boys (as would've more malt and more fruit). But it's enjoyable enough and worth a shot, just nothing I'm anxious to return to.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2008 00:27:07 | More by Metalmonk

Mitchster

Michigan

4.13/5  rDev +41.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at MBC and remembered liking it, so I picked up a bottle. I was totally surprised when it poured out pink! Very cool. It's pinkish-orange, forming a large pink-tinged white whipped head with very good retention and decent lacing. Aroma is very piquant, with strong raspberry notes, but also that cheesiness and funk that I like about the MBC Celis products. Carbonation is moderate. Tastes very good...at first a little cheesy and yeasty, with a touch of pale malt and clove notes before the semi-sweet and very fruity raspberry finale. The finish is just lightly candy-ish and soapy, but is not detracting. Mouthfeel is lightly spritzy and tart with a medium-light body and lightly ruddy coriander finish.

All in all, a very enjoyable beer. A dessert beer that will appeal to my girlfriend. Interesting character. This beer would be great on a hot summer day while lounging on the beach. Yummy.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2004 23:58:56 | More by Mitchster

Pencible

Virginia

2.7/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

A: This poured a hazy pinkish gold with moderate white head.
S: It smelled like creamy yeast and sugary artificial raspberry, with some copper and cotton candy/bubble gum.
T: It tasted like artificial strawberry and raspberry and bubble gum, with some creamy yeast and cheap white wine. It had a sweet and gross aftertaste.
M: It was oily with moderate carbonation. Nice and slick body.
D: This beer didn't seem natural at all. More like a cotton candy wit beer than anything else. The scent and taste weren't very good at all. At least the body was nice, but it was still tough to finish the glass. Not recommended.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 20:04:11 | More by Pencible

clayrock81

Virginia

2.85/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A clearish, pinkish hue almost that for a second had me worried that it was a bad beer. Minimal head that left little lacings. A sugary, almost oversweet smell tart raspberries and a hint of some yeast strains. Light-bodied but a tad syrupy for my liking, this had a tart raspberry taste that felt a little like a cherry soda taste (sharp, carbonated and not great). Then it dried my mouth off and made finishing the six-pack impossible (I gave a few to my neighbor). I won't be having this again the near future.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2008 16:37:33 | More by clayrock81

ClockworkOrange

Pennsylvania

3.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A 12 ounce bottle poured into my shaker glass. Appears a clear golden copper color with barely a finger of off white head that sticks around not more than a few seconds. Smells and tastes of bread grains with a medium berry presence as well as crisp apples, Hawaiian sweet rolls, and metal. A bit thin bodied with medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2009 03:46:32 | More by ClockworkOrange

allengarvin

Texas

3.63/5  rDev +24.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours out a ever-so-slightly hazy golden color with a pure white head of foam. Fair amount of raspberry aroma. Taste is full of raspberries as well, both tart and sweet, but it's well-balanced with clean malt and a light bitterness (with no hop flavor). Body is medium with a crisp texture.

This seems quite a bit different than the original Celis Raspberry as brewed in Texas, which was overflowing with raspberry flavor and also almost cloyingly sweet. I appreciate this version's drier, less sweet character, but I somewhat miss the raspberries-out-the-wazoo of the older one.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2005 01:24:51 | More by allengarvin

lackenhauser

Maryland

3.9/5  rDev +34%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Very nice color. I ws put off a bit at first but it really is quite a lovely beer. Pale pink with a slight golden tint to it. Aroma screams rasberries with a slight yeasty-ness to it. Flavor is a crisp, rasberry upfront. Theres a slight maltiness/wheat in the backround. Somewhat dry in the finish. Good body. Overall an enjoyable brew. I dont know how many I could do in a sitting. Good beer for a hot summer day.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2005 19:38:53 | More by lackenhauser

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.65/5  rDev +25.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear orange goldish color with a fizzy white head. Smell is raspberries, coriander and cloves. Taste is spiced heavily with cloves and subtle raspberries. There is a good balance between the raspberries and the strong clove character. Mouthfeel is lighter in body....good carbonation. Great for the summertime. Drinkable for the most part.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2012 00:49:34 | More by WoodBrew