Additional Notes 12/02/22 (Pictured):

A lot of changes in a review of this 17 years after the original notes.

Carbonation in terms of the bottle pressure is much lower, and the beer itself was much less annoying in that department than it formerly was. The color is also better, as it is has a really unmistakable, dark cherry red and lovely pink complementary head.

This time cherries are obvious, there’s light sweetness and it seems deliciously balanced. Even with the balance I still never want more than one of these.

Finally this is labeled as 4.0 % whereas my original experience in 2005 notes a 5% ABV.

Fruit beers generally aren’t my thing at all, so it that regard no matter how good this really is it’s never going to thrill me, but its balance is impressive and its drinkability high, so there’s plenty to like if this is your thing.

Original Notes 01/29/05:

The cork almost took my head off as it shot out of the bottle like a bullet and hit the living room ceiling. You have been warned!

This was a taste of things to come as the carbonation proved to be very annoying. Even after letting the beer settle and despite some painstakingly careful pouring, the amount of froth and carbonation was excessive making it a pain in the backside to get at.

Anyway, having got it into the glass it looks a dirty red/brown, murky color with a very feint pink froth on top. The froth is persistent. It’s somewhat tart, but at the same time sweet (if that’s possible) a real sweet and sour experience. The cherries are not obvious to me, apart from the color, in fact it seems like much more of a general fruit experience than a specific one.

Very refreshing and would be an ideal ladies aperitif, but not something I’m going to be drinking a lot of. For me this is OK, but strictly novelty, it’s simply too much like a wine cooler for my taste. Not really my idea of “beer”.