Dogfish Head Fruit-Full Fort

Fruit-Full Fort is a raspberry-driven strong ale from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton, Delaware, and a sibling to the brewery's stronger Fort. The Belgian-style framework is the point of reference here. Belgian fruit ales of this kind typically pair a lightly spicy, yeast-driven base with a generous fruit addition. The raspberries are the lead flavor. Expect a tart-sweet profile, with the berry's natural acidity keeping the sweetness from turning syrupy. The strength is the other thing to know before you open it. The reference describes it as a strong ale, and strong Belgian-style beers usually carry a warming, rounded body that makes them slower to drink than a standard fruit beer. Hop bitterness is generally restrained in this category, so the structure comes from the malt backbone, the fermentation character and the raspberry tartness, not from hops. The ABV and IBU are not listed in the details I have, so check the label for the exact figures. Serve it cool, not ice cold. About 45 to 50°F (7 to 10°C) is a good target, roughly 30 to 40 minutes in the refrigerator. Colder than that mutes the berry aroma and flattens the yeast character. A tulip glass or a stemmed Belgian goblet suits it best. The flared rim lets the raspberry aroma open up, and the tapered bowl holds a foam head if it pours with one. Pour into a clean glass, leaving any sediment behind if the bottle has it. At the table, the tartness works the way a fruit sauce does. It suits duck breast, roast pork with a berry or mustard glaze, and charcuterie with pâté. Soft, creamy cheeses such as brie or goat cheese give the raspberry something to cut through. For dessert, dark chocolate, a plain cheesecake or vanilla ice cream will all work. Pairing it with something very sweet will flatten the fruit, so keep the dessert on the restrained side.