From its raspberry-doused cork and pink-headed magenta hue to its extremely ripe sweet-tart raspberry edginess, this aged-in-oak Belgian ale is probably a better aperitif than marginal red wines. Zesty citric pep and pomegranate-juiced cranberry-cherry-strawberry souring help define distinguished character of truly original brew. Eye-squinting raspberry tartness inundates resilient sour grape pungency and syrupy caramel malting, getting musty by sherry finish. Mighty fine fruited dessert fodder.

Crucial Belgian-styled framboise set the stage for many American-bred Euro-based fruit ales to compete favorably. Ripe raspberry-juiced fermentation of ruby-hazed pink-blushed medium body stays sublime above syrupy cherry soda tartness and lightly creamed vanilla sweetness. Vinous lemon-soured red grape, cranberry, rosé  and champagne pucker contrasts sugary candy apple glaze. Tertiary Victoria plum, strawberry, elderberry, apricot and tangerine illusions embellish slim floral bouquet. Prickly hop pep gives busy framboise its soda-like carbolic fizz. Compares favorably to redoubtable New Glarus Raspberry Tart.

Dry-bodied oak-aged garnet-hued raspberry ale with tart fruit essence and spice-hopped hesitance maintains puckered sourness as tangy cherry-apple adjuncts and bubbly pink champagne illusions underline effervescent whitewater freshness.

Vintage-aged ruby-hazed pinkish-headed framboise proffers tart raspberry sourness and tannic white grape pucker as carbolic hop spritz saddles fragrant dry esters. Leathery oak acridity enhances cherry-skinned crabapple-cranberry insinuation, vinous white wine sharpness, and mildewed cork tinge. Grating vinous acidity frustrates harshly bitter finish and exorbitant $28 price for 22-ounce bottle gets steep. Only daring drinkers need apply.

Limited edition pinkish-headed magenta-bodied ale brings up-front raspberry puree notion and oak-dried cherry tartness to dissipating peppery hop sequence. As soda-like carbonation thins out, raspy cranberry dryness heightens.