Liefmans Fruitesse (Fruitbier)
Liefmans Fruitesse "2010" on the cork, and "08-2012" on the cap of the cage. Label states Acesulfame-K (artificial sweetner) as an ingredient. Website has mixed drink recipes and recommends drinking "on the rocks" which I tried, and it doesn't improve anything. Blood red, crystalline scarlet, bright and vivid with high clarity. Creamy cap of pinkish foam that laces on the sides, ok retention. Zero sediment in the bottle, most likely filtered. Aroma is sweet, raspberry/cherry cough drops and cotton candy. Artificial mixed berry jello comes to mind. Some minor tartness in the taste, and even a seedy raspberry tannic element, suggesting some real fruit in there somewhere. Fairly effervescent and sweet. Odd nutrasweet-like aftertaste that must be the Acesulfame-K at work. Slightly sticky on the lips like hard candy. Pretty much a standard-issue panty dropper, though the slight tartness is quenching, ultimately the beer is too cloying. Something to drink instead of kool-aid in the summertime. As this is a fruit beer and not attempting to be a lambic, it's approaching decent if you have a sweet tooth. More tartness than Lindemans, but nothing as traditional as Liefmans Kriekbier & Frambozenbier used to be. Edit: Blended the last half of the bottle with some JP Calabaza Blanca, and it was pretty good. Would recommend over vanilla ice cream too.