Flossmoor brewer Todd Ashman is a minor legend in Midwest brewing circles, and his highly impressive and often innovative brews are the reason why. While I didn't make it to the Chicago suburbs to sample all of his wares, I did spend some time chatting with Todd and tasting his beers at the Great Taste of the Midwest. (Please see this month's Feature Article for more on the fest.)
The Framboise was one of Flossmoor's special tappings, which occur at the fest at pre-arranged times and pour almost non-stop until they're gone. Through nothing more than coincidence, I was fortunate enough to be at the booth when this beauty was cracked, and in no time at all found myself with a full glass of deep red ale.
Fermented with raspberry puree and gerwertztraminer grape concentrate, the Framboise offers a big fruity nose with evident skins and seeds and a body which continues along the same lines, with a complexity of fruit sweetness, raspberry tartness and some citrusy and soft alcohol notes. The finish is off-dry and gently warming. This is one of those beers that expresses the fruit at the same time as it reminds you that, yes, it is still very much an ale in your glass.
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