In my sojourn as a Fruit Beer Dork, I've learned that a fruit beer is best when it's made with real fruit. That said, I had some high hopes for Great Divide's Wild Raspberry Ale because they have the same philosophy and stock this fruit ale with loads of red and black raspberries.

I don't think I was disappointed. "Think?" you might ask. Yes, think, because I did pull a dusty six-pack off the shelf and tested it about seven months after it was brewed. I know that fresher beer is better, and I'm guessing that if you drank this in summer soon after it was brewed and not during a Chicago January when you're trying anything you can to get to feel some warmth, it would taste a bit better.

However, the Wild Raspberry Ale is pretty tasty. The appearance alone will make you say, "Whoa." The pour doesn't give much head, but the appearance is bright red. It smells fruity, but not overly so. However, there's not as much fruit taste as the smell would make you believe, and that's a bit disappointing. The beer itself tasted a little creamy on the tongue, and it went down smoothly.

Overall, I wouldn't call this a great summer beer, but I did enjoy it. What makes it not-so-great is that it's an ale and not a wheat beer. I think that wheat beers hold the fruit taste a little bit better and provide that summertime refreshment that I'm looking for in a fruit beer. Also, the age factor of my sample may have been a detriment to this rating, so I'm willing to try it again in the summer and see if my opinion changes.

Reviewed by Jill Jaracz on January 14, 2007.

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