Luna De Miel: Raspberry Meade
Bluegrass Brewing Co. - East St. Matthew's

Luna De Miel: Raspberry MeadeLuna De Miel: Raspberry Meade
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From:
Bluegrass Brewing Co. - East St. Matthew's
 
Kentucky, United States
Style:
Braggot
ABV:
7.82%
Score:
85
Avg:
3.74 | pDev: 12.03%
Reviews:
22
Ratings:
29
Status:
Retired
Rated:
May 22, 2015
Added:
Sep 12, 2002
Wants:
  7
Gots:
  0
Historically a meade was made to celebrate the union of a couple and given to them for celebration of their marriage. Truly defined as a braggot, BBC Luna De Miel is a fermented honey ale flavored with a blend of raspberries and blackberries. Luna De Miel is a refreshing change from standard BBC offerings. Luna De Miel is effervescent, fruity, and light, yet warming from its moderate strength. BBC Luna De Miel is offered in a wine glass.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by LXIXME:
Photo of LXIXME
Rated by LXIXME from New Mexico

3.99/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
I have a love for honey and raspberries and these come together pretty good in this drink.
May 22, 2015
More User Ratings:
Photo of SackBlabbath
Rated by SackBlabbath from Kentucky

2.89/5  rDev -22.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
These are five words because mead is just ok.
Feb 05, 2015
 
Rated: 4.5 by ZachRusk from Ohio

Jul 21, 2014
 
Rated: 2.75 by bigred89 from Maryland

Aug 07, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by ADTaber from South Carolina

Aug 06, 2013
Photo of mrfrancis
Reviewed by mrfrancis from Kentucky

3.93/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A: Pours a clear pink with no head.

S: Subtle aromas of raspberry, blackberry, grain, and honey are present on the nose. Far from overpowering and extremely inviting.

T: Notes of honey, red raspberry, blackberry, and grainy malt wash across the palate. The finish presents a blend of honey, raspberry, and alcohol flavors.

M: Light-to-medium in body, delicate, and very dry. Carbonation is obvious, but unobtrusive. Alcohol is much less noticeable than one would expect. Very light, but also very drinkable.

O: This is my first braggot and I have to say that I really enjoy it. I expect that others are more complex, but Luna de Miel is a very pleasant, straight-forward ale. I could see myself drinking quite a few glasses of this on a hot day.
May 23, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by GoodOmens1986 from Kentucky

Apr 08, 2012
Photo of TMoney2591
Reviewed by TMoney2591 from Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Served in a Chicago Bears shaker pint glass.

What better way to celebrate the interim between the two NFL conference championship games than with a braggot, amiright? This one pours a clear amber-garnet topped by several fingers of fizzy, sandy tan foam. The nose is awash in light dank raspberries, though some traces of dark greens and very mild toffee peek through small peepholes at random, minute intervals. The taste follows suit, though the greens and toffee are replaced by honey and very light apple cider (granny smith, in this case). The body is a hefty light, with a moderate carbonation and a dry, airy finish. Overall, a crisp, semi-refreshing braggot, though it's a bit one-dimensional and effervescent for me to really place any special significance on it.
Jan 22, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by freewill35 from Indiana

Nov 17, 2011
Photo of Chaney
Reviewed by Chaney from District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served on tap at BBC in a 4-6 oz. glass.

A: Mildly cloudy, red-vanilla color, with absolutely no head whatsoever. After all, this is a mead right?

S: Fruity, but not too tart. The raspberry was very understated and buried under a small bed of vanilla.

T: If I had tried this one sight unseen, I would have pegged this as a cherry rather than raspberry mead. But never mind that. This was pretty good.

M: I got a mild prickle from something that resembled carbonation, but that was about it. The fact that there was no alcohol detected made me a very happy camper.

O: Not a great braggot, but still pretty good. I commend BBC for stretching their legs a bit and experimenting with this one.
Jun 07, 2011
Photo of Tone
Reviewed by Tone from Missouri

3.05/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Pours a clear, dull pink color. 1/4 inch head of an off-pink color. Decent retention and slight lacing. Smells of slight pale malt, slight grain, slight metallic, off-raspberry, and slight honey. Fits the style of a Braggot. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of off-raspberry juice, slight metallic, slight sweet malt, slight grain, slight pale malt, and slight honey. Overall, the raspberry flavor is metallic and barely reminiscent of actual raspberry flavor.
May 04, 2011
Photo of hattingc
Reviewed by hattingc from Illinois

3.18/5  rDev -15%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Got a bottle of this beer because it was new here in Chicago.

Reddish brown in color. Lots of head.

The raspberrys really come out in the beginning.
Lots of honey taste at the end.
Finishes like a light wine.

It is a really sweet beer and is a good summer beer while sitting outside. Just a bit sweet for my tastes.
Apr 16, 2011
Photo of nova009
Reviewed by nova009 from Kentucky

4.03/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a bomber into a snifter

A- pours a clear red reminiscent of blush wine, about a one finger pink head appears and slowly dissipates to patchy bubbles and a fluffy ring, pretty nice lacing as the head sticks well to the side of the glass

S- smells of ripe raspberries, the sweetness of the honey comes through as well, theres a sharp alcohol tinge that comes out as well which really reminds me of a wine

T- starts out sweet and tart, you get the raspberry and honey in a swirl, the taste transitions into a red wine like taste with a some alcohol that finishes dry in your mouth, i definitely get a bready malt finish in the aftertaste, the only aspect of this that reminds me of a beer, the taste pretty much lives up to the description of the style, however this is my first braggot

M- light-medium body similar to a champagne/ sparkling wine, medium high carbonation that works well with the flavors

D- not sure on the abv of this one but the alcohol wasnt very noticeable, pretty tasting and interesting, ive had meades before but this braggot combines the two worlds of meade and beer, this is a nice desert style wine, pretty easy to drink, solid job on the part of BBC
Mar 04, 2011
Photo of bluejacket74
Reviewed by bluejacket74 from Ohio

3.73/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
750 ml bottle. Served in a snifter, the beer pours a dark pink/reddish color with about an inch cola-like carbonated light pink head. Head retention is good, with a decent amount of lacing. Aroma is raspberries, honey, and red wine. For some reason the aroma reminds me of drinking some Boone's Farm stuff, I'm not sure if that's a good sign or not. Taste is similar to the aroma, but it's more sweet than it is wine-like, although the wine taste is still noticable. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit slick and syrupy. The carbonation is very strong at first, but it does smooth out as the beer warms. Drinkability is decent, a smaller glass of this at BBC wouldn't be bad, but a 750 ml bottle of this is a bit too much for me. I thought this was a decent brew, it's the first Braggot I've tried and I would try one again. I'll have to get this on tap the next time I go to BBC.
Apr 10, 2010
Photo of BillyBoysPie
Reviewed by BillyBoysPie from Kentucky

3.95/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
On-tap at BBC on 4th Street. In a wine glass.

A slightly funky pink like rosé wine. White head, some lacing.

Smells like, as advertised, a raspberry meade. It's got raspberry, honey, and simple two-row-ish malt. Hints of complexity like honeysuckle and other florals, but nothing significant.

Light and refreshing. Mostly very barley flavored with a strong malt backbone. Honey is next with sweet raspberry. Clean, refreshing.

Not a syrupy as it would have been, but was light enough to not make me feel oversaturated with honey.

For someone who is into this, a second glass would be good. I liked it, but prefer other styles.
Feb 08, 2010
Photo of Buschyfor3
Reviewed by Buschyfor3 from Kentucky

3.81/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Enjoyed this raspberry meade fresh off the tap at BBC's Shelbyville Rd. brewpub. Served in a small wine glass, approx. 8oz.

A: Crisp and clean red body. The look reminds me of church wine - a vivid, red chianti. There is just the thinnest, pink head of small, frothy bubbles - kind of looks like pink icing sitting on top. Patchy lacing on each sip and swirl.

S: Smells of fresh raspberries (obviously) blended with sweet clover honey. There is also a slight musky note - reminds me of the scent of a wineskin for some reason. Smells more like wine than a beer, but maybe that's just me?

T: Mildly sweet and tart raspberry complimented by a kiss of light honey and some cereal/grain notes. Just the slightest presence of alcohol comes through, very reminiscent of wine with fruity esters and a drying quality in the finish.

M: Spritzy thanks to the carbonation; very similar to a sparkling wine if you ask me, but it works.

D: 7.82% ABV according to the beer menu and fairly easy to drink, although the serving size is rather small. An 8oz wine glass almost isn't enough for the meal because this disappears quickly.

An interesting beer/braggot/meade. Never had this style before, but after enjoying Lindeman's Framboise Lambic, I figured there was no harm in giving another raspberry flavored beer a chance. Definitely something to try on a warm summer evening. Paired well with the spinach artichoke dip and the chicken salad sandwich.
Jul 31, 2009
Photo of hopdog
Reviewed by hopdog from Pennsylvania

3.06/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
750ml bottle shared courtesy of weeare138.

Poured a deep reddish / amber / orange color with a smaller sized off white head. Aromas of honey combs with some berries. Tastes of sweet honey. Sweet and sweet. I know this is a Braggot, but did I mention that this one was sweet...

Notes from 12/22/06
Dec 17, 2008
Photo of daftafne
Reviewed by daftafne from Illinois

3.69/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Had this off the draft at the brewpub. Served in a tall wine glass. Beautiful magenta color. It was described as a sweet honey meade made with fresh raspberries. The smell was not very strong but was primarily of raspberry. The taste came on quick and tart almost entirely of raspberry and left the palette fast. It was kind of watered-down tasting and not extremely flavorful. Really, kind of what you would imagine raspberry juice, water, and the warmth of alcohol to be like. Though, it wasn't bad and I would have enjoyed a few glasses. I havent had many meades but most of the ones I've had have been aged for at least five years or just simply a more massive beer (e.g. midas touch by dogfish head). However, I did have a freshly brewed meade at cumberland brews in louisville about 3 weeks ago and it also did not have this massive flavor. Just a different experience, still good. I do prefer a bigger flavor though.
Jun 26, 2008
Photo of Slatetank
Reviewed by Slatetank from Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
I had this on draft at the brewpub on Shelbyville Road in Louisville. Served in a small wine glass relatively well chilled. The abv was listed as 7.82% on the tap board.

A - Deep berry shades of ruby w/ a magenta hue and the appearance of champagne w/ a fingernail clipping for a head w/ wispy white traces. The clarity of this is excellent and appears as raspberry juice.

S - Very raspberry influenced aroma w/ a sweet fruit aroma much like fresh raspberry puree.

M - Very light bodied and not too sweet - more like raspberry ale spritzer. This is not bad just nothing fantastic or remarkable and a light feel when you expect a mead or 'honey wine'

T - I am unsure of why this is classed as a braggot. Probably since mead is not reviewable anymore. This is not very challenging as far as fruit ales go. The sweetness is restrained and very much aroma oriented w/ more of a slightly fruit/honey finish w/ a fine malty flavor in the middle. The overall effect is dry w/ the fruity aspect balanced rather well.

D - A nice mead, but this doesn't have much in common w/ braggot IMO. It really has no spice flavor and the honey sweetness is there, but more raspberry than anything else. It is drinkable, but I would probably stick to one in an evening unless you like the carbonated fruit flavoring. The fruit tastes fine, not artificial w/ a honeydrenched effect. I consider it better than avg, yet it somehow fell short of my expectations compared to other meads. I could probalby handle more than 5oz of this considering the Dubbel was served in an 8oz glass and has .02% higher abv w/ more flavor. I could appreciate this as a dessert drink, I guess I have mixed emotions about this 'meade'
Mar 30, 2008
Photo of atrus138
Reviewed by atrus138 from Kentucky

4.13/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Had this on-tap at the BBC restaurant on Shelbyville.

Came in a small wineglass. Nice ruby red color with a small white head.

Smelled strongly of fruity honey. Nice and sweet.

Great taste! One of the better meads I've had. Sweet, but not tangy. A fantastic aftertaste of wheat.

While a delicious drink, it's kind of hard to have several wines in one sitting for me. Definitely plan on having this again, but I can't see having more than one per sitting.
Oct 10, 2007
Luna De Miel: Raspberry Meade from Bluegrass Brewing Co. - East St. Matthew's
Beer rating: 85 out of 100 with 29 ratings