Founders Blushing Monk

Founders Blushing Monk is a Fruit Beer fermented with a Belgian yeast strain, 9.2% ABV. This was the one beer in the Backstage Series I was never sad about missing, but I’m glad I decided to try it when it was brewed again this year. If you read my reviews you know I am not a fan of raspberries, and I really did not like Founders Rübæus at all, way too much raspberry for me. When I saw this on tap at a recent Founders event in Savannah I figured a 6oz pour would be worth a try.

This pours with a ruby reddish, almost pink color. Well, there is certainly a lot of raspberry flavor, but it isn’t syrupy sweet like Ruabeaus was too me. The Belgian yeast really helps this a lot by giving it more complexity. A lighter mouthfeel is helping me enjoy this as well. Glad I tried it, but 6 ounces was more than enough.

Now if you’re willing to wait 8 years this is a better beer in my opinion! The bartender, Rudy, had a bottle of the original 2007 Vintage he was sharing that night. The 2007 comes in a bit higher at 12.3% ABV. I really like this one a lot more. The big sweet raspberries have become more tart after all that time, tasting a bit more cranberry along with the raspberries. The yeast has more of a rustic Saison quality at this point as well.

Just a tick for me overall, but I’m very grateful for the chance to try the original aged version. Thanks Rudy!