On a recent trip to Kress Liquors in search of the Duchesse De Bourgogne for my better half, I was shutout. Fortunately, I am one of those take lemons and make lemonade kind of guys so I was able to find a number of mild if not fruity beers to pacify her palate. One of the bottles was an Organic Raspberry Fruit Ale from Samuel Smith. Now, I have made no secret of my love of Merchant du Vin and all things Samuel Smith, so the purchase wasn’t really a stretch.

From the Samuel Smith site:

A dramatic fruit beer with an intense, mouth-watering fruit character derived from the natural acidity of organic raspberries. Slow, complex fermentation lends structure and depth to this special fruit beer. Smooth body, finishes dry, with a soft raspberry note.

I found the Organic Raspberry to have the following characteristics.

Appearance: Ruby red with a layer of pink foam and a good lacing.

Ruby red with a layer of pink foam and a good lacing. Aroma: Sweet malt with a blast of berry not unlike the aroma of a juice box.

Sweet malt with a blast of berry not unlike the aroma of a juice box. Taste: Medium body with a sweet and syrupy texture and a long lasting raspberry finish.

Medium body with a sweet and syrupy texture and a long lasting raspberry finish. ABV: 5.1%

This is obviously not something for everybody, but I did find the Organic Raspberry to be a refreshing change of pace. I would pair this with lighter fare, poultry, salads, or a cheese of dessert course.