Founders Blushing Monk
9.2% ABV. This is essentially an “Imperial Rübæus,” this ale contains four times the amount of raspberries as Rübæus and is fermented with a Belgian yeast strain. In other words, this is a Belgian Style Ale fermented with pure raspberries from Founders Brewing Company in Grand Rapids, MI. Came across this beautiful bottle (2011 vintage) at a local beer shop when picking up a rare bottle of Founders CBS. The nose is raspberries, raspberries, and raspberries along with some sweet tarts and strawberry funk. Flavor is again, all raspberries, very sweet, juicy, puckering sweet and tarty. I really enjoyed this fruit beer from Founders – have to say the appearance took me by surprise. Would’ve loved to do a side-by-side with Wisconsin’s New Glarus Raspberry Tart even though I am not big on sours or fruit/vegetable beers (except pumpkin).
theBeerAuthority: B+
