Tonight while out shopping, the Mrs. (my Beloved Barbara) and I found ourselves at the local Sherlock’s liquor store, she in want of a small bottle of Grand Marnier and I, well, as usual in want of beer. Lucky for me I spied a few Sea Dog selections stacked next to the Shipyard beers.

Of course, that was no coincidence, since Sea Dog is really no more an independent concern, having been absorbed into the Shipyard fleet. But that’s fine by me, because the beers do not seem to have suffered for it, and here I am enjoying them deep in the heart of Dixie.

When I lived in New England, I enjoyed Sea Dog brews on a regular basis. I loved their refreshing fruit beers in summer (yes, we do have that up north), especially the Blue Paw Wheat. A raspberry laced wheat ale was something I had not come across, however.

Sea Dog says this beer is made with the essence of raspberries (juice perhaps?), rather than whole fruit. Alcohol content is average at 4.5% by volume.

Sea Dog Raspberry Wheat Ale pours to a pale golden color with a very lively and spritzy head formation that forms quite quickly and then suddenly dissipates with the same degree of alacrity. The nose hints at buttered toast and raspberry jam, and is really rather enticing.

The first sip yields a delicate touch of biscuity malt and tart wheat, nicely accented by a gentle Ringwood yeast buttery character and of course raspberry fruit. The raspberry is really reminiscent of fresh berry preserve, though it isn’t overpowering or cloying.

The beer finishes slightly tart with a gentle suggestion of the fruit, and is not at all sweet; nor is it bitter. Interestingly enough, the biscuity, slightly toasty malt along with the diacetyl-butter flavors and fruit really call to mind a large slice of toast slathered with raspberry jam.

That thought is as welcome on a summer morning as a glass of this beer is on a summer afternoon or evening, and the light refreshing body makes it a perfect warm weather quencher.

It’s a perfect match with a number of dishes; we enjoyed it with a rosemary-parmesan crusted pork tenderloin, and the crisp fruity beer complemented the delicate pork and zesty spice flavors wonderfully. I could see this beer pairing nicely with a garden salad garnished with walnuts and drizzled with raspberry vinaigrette dressing quite nicely, too.

I enjoy the refreshing traits and the subtlety here.

 

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

 



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