Black Raspberry Lambic by Area Two Experimental Brewing is a black raspberry lambic and is being evaluated as a Fruit Lambic (category 23F from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Lambics are known for their sourness and wild characteristics that are traditionally derived from natural (or “spontaneous”) fermentation by airborne and wood-bearing yeast and bacteria. Fruit lambics impart an additional dimension to the beer with the fruit flavors (the fruit sugars can be either fermented out to dryness or the beer can be back-sweetened). 

Black Raspberry Lambic pours dark purple in color with good clarity and a huge, fading pink-colored head. The aroma is intense, rich black raspberry with a light lactic undertone and notes of leather. The flavor is similarly intense, rich black raspberry, with moderate lactic sourness and a contrasting light sweetness; a light leather funkiness contributes to the complexity. The beer finishes lightly bitter with rich, ripe raspberries and a sour-over-sweet balance.

While this beer is not as funky as some traditional Belgian lambics, the sourness is prominent yet kept in check by a subtle sweetness. The black raspberry character is outstanding; the fruit is a little forward but is extraordinarily rich and fresh. Seek this one out!