Raspberry Malbec

The portrait

The Malbec Framboise was an experimental Brown Ale aged in Malbec wine barrels and enhanced with raspberries. This complex beer offered a two-part taste experience: an initial burst of fresh raspberry notes, followed by roasted and coffee aromas characteristic of barrel aging.

The balance of this beer was unique, with a tension between the fruity freshness of raspberries and the depth imparted by the Malbec barrel. Some tasters perceived pronounced vinous notes, attesting to the significant influence of barrel aging. This was a beer that required time to fully reveal itself, its balance refining with each sip.

This creation illustrated La Nébuleuse's desire to experiment in the field of barrel-aged beers, a demanding and fascinating brewing territory.

The story

The Malbec Framboise represents one of La Nébuleuse's first forays into the world of barrel-aged beers. This beer was created in 2018 and appears to have been brewed for a special occasion, possibly in collaboration or for a particular event.

Aging in Malbec barrels – an emblematic grape variety particularly of Argentina – brought an oenological dimension to this brown ale, while the addition of raspberries brightened and fruited a profile otherwise marked by roasting and wood.

Food and beer pairings

A beer of this complexity called for bold gastronomic pairings : dark chocolate with red fruits, game in sauce, mature cheeses like an old Comté or a Stilton, or even a dessert with cocoa and forest fruits.

The wine-like and fruity notes also made it an interesting candidate to accompany a duck breast with cherries or a country terrine.

The final word

The Malbec Framboise will be remembered as a bold experiment by La Nébuleuse, a beer unafraid of complexity and contrasts. Although this creation didn't make it into the permanent catalog, it testifies to the spirit of exploration that has driven the brewery since its inception. For those fortunate enough to have tasted it, it remains a cherished memory of a time when La Nébuleuse was pushing the boundaries of barrel aging.

Cheers! 🍻

The recipe