Judge’s Review: 97 Rating – Framboise Hibiscus Lambicus by Brouwerij Timmermans

Fruit Lambic | Year-Round | Belgium

By James Link

Judges Rating: 97
Aroma: 23
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 39
Mouthfeel: 10
Overall Impression: 19

Framboise Hibiscus Lambicus by Brouwerij Timmermans was reviewed as Style 23F, Fruit Lambic, per the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines.
A fusion of aromas are lightly expressed to create a unique and complex bouquet in the nose. Sweet yet not candied raspberry notes are first noticed at the onset and are joined by a light presence of tartness and earthiness.
Cardinal red in color and very clear with a pinkish-white head that held up nicely.
For a lambic on the low end of the gravity scale there was a lot of complexity here. The raspberry sweetness up front was balanced by a touch of acidic sourness and just a bit of horse blanket character often found in properly aged lambics, which this one certainly was.
The body was thin yet smooth with a slight acidic bite on the side of the tongue. Carbonation levels were appropriately expressed.
The authentic nature of this beer is clearly visible throughout. Well-conceived, refreshing and very drinkable. A world-class example of a fruited lambic.