Raspberry Red Velvet Cupcake
Viking Artisan Ales

 

Pours a murky deep, rich burgundy red color with a half finger of a pulpy reddish head that dissipated immediately. Looks like one of those fruit smoothie beers. No lacing left on the glass, but there’s plenty of pulp on the glass as I drink it.

Aroma is loaded with raspberry. Both the flesh and the seeds. Marshmallow is there in the background. Not sure if I smell red velvet cake, but there is a cake-like smell dancing around in the background too. Little bit of lemon from what I’d imagine is the lacto in the base berliner.

Taste really does nail the flavor profile they were going for. There is a cake-like taste, marshmallow, and plenty of raspberry. The marshmallow and cake deliver flavor, but not too much sweetness due to the firmly tart base beer. The raspberry tastes bright and fresh and may slightly contribute to the tartness of the beer as well. Slight lemon from the lacto is present too.

Solid medium body. Drinks above it’s weight class at 4.5%. Pulpy, chalky, slightly sticky, very slight creaminess. Not as thick as other fruit smoothie beers and has more drinkability to it.

I really enjoy what these guys do. Despite some of the adjuncts they add to their berliners, they still manage to keep their beers drinkable and balanced thanks to a solid base berliner. I’m excited to see what they have in store as they branch out into IPA’s and stouts soon.