About a Pint: Spring into Framboise Boon

Laurie Piatkowski 

Spring! It has finally arrived!

Bring on the warm weather and let the snow melt. Let the people open their curtains to the warm sun, and await their spring flowers pop up from the ground with all of their yellow, purple and red petals. While we wait for all of these wonderful things, another wonderful thing is happening -- spring beer is being wheeled into bars and package stores by the case, and into the bars.

I'd like to point out one of the more delicious of these spring beers:  Framboise Boon from Belgium's Boon Brewery. I found this bad boy at the Grapes and Gourmet Liquor Store in Jamestown, RI.

According to its brewers, Framboise Boon is a traditional Belgian Lambic fruit-beer. It is brewed according to the traditional Lambic style of spontaneous fermentation. Only fresh raspberries (25%) and wild cherries (5%) are used for this Lambic beer. Framboise Boon is the missing link between beer and wine and is served chilled in flute glasses. NO artificial sweeteners, flavorings, preservatives or coloring agents brewed in Lembeek, the village that gave Lambic its name.

Poured red, with a big pink creamy head, the aroma is of tart berries, with raspberries, cherries, and blackcurrants, as well as some tannins and earthy notes of Brett with a full body, and average carbonation. 

It boasts flavors such as tart raspberries, blackcurrants and wooden notes.  At 5% AVB it’s about as much as any beer in it's category Framboise Boon is most easily found in bottles but can be found on tap, if one looks hard enough..

Overall, I loved this beer and have actually put it on my "Buy Again" list. At, only at five dollars, this beer is truly a good deal. I recommend cellaring it due to bring out the perfect blend of wine and ale. However, I would not store this beer for long -- most would say it is best enjoyed when it’s young. I personally recommend pairing Framboise Boon with pork, but anything Italian will do.