Dark Horse Brewing Company- Raspberry Ale: Stick your nose up in the air at this one?
Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 5:17PM | by Wes 
A year ago I would have laughed at any fruit flavored beer. I thought fruit in beer was for ladies, end of story. But in the last year many things have changed. Most importantly I have had some downright delicious beers with flavors like, pumpkin, blueberry, lemon and even apple. I have also begun home brewing and have found a new respect for the intricacies and nuances that fruit can impart in beer.
Dark Horses Raspberry Ale pours a pretty copper with an overly carbonated profile and a cloudy complexion. The snow-white head is thick and frothy like Santa’s beard. The bouquet is earthy with hints of citrus and a raspberry overload. It smells like raspberry iced tea. Not a beer that makes a very good first impression.
Dammit. That is all I can say. These are the kind of beers that make people freaking hate fruit ales. The raspberry is overwhelming. Dark Horse has a tasty amber ale base here but something was lost in translation. I am a thorough believer that fruit should add to the complexity and flavor of a brew, not as a fresh coat of paint on a rusty car. The raspberries in this beer are simply over used and don’t complement the rest of the flavors. It tastes like a half beer/ half diet raspberry iced tea. This might make a good summer brew for your girlfriend. I found it about as fun as fresh dog shit on your new shoes.
ABV: 5%
Consumed: Pint Glass
Verdict: Skip it!
