Raspberry Kringle Stout

Review Date 8/2/2024 By John Staradumsky

  Style: Imperial Stout   Brewery: Central Waters   Country: USA   State: Wisconsin   $ Per OZ: $.35 (B)   ABV: 12%

It’s #christmasinjuly time folks, and here I am drinking a beer that may not be a holiday brew per se, but sure reminds me of Christmas. I mean what’s more Christmas than (Kris) Kringle? Then too, I love to eat Kringle cakes at Christmastime, and they are of course the theme for Central Waters Raspberry Kringle Stout, part of the brewery’s Brewer’s Reserve series.

There’s no information on this beer on the brewery website, but the label on my bottle says:

We took our wonderful Kringle stout and infused it with bright and tangy raspberries for a flavor combo that will have you coming back for more!

That labels also proclaims BOURBON BARREL in bold capital letters, so you know this beer is barrel aged. Do they make a version of this beer that isn’t barrel aged? I’m sure I don’t know.

Central Waters Raspberry Kringle Stout has an alcohol content of 12% by volume and I paid $6.99 for my 12-ounce bottle from Half Time Beverage. Total Wine sells it for $16.99 a 4-pack in their Burnsville, Minnesota location, though they appear to be sold out as I type. The label is marked “Vintage:” on the side, and my bottle has the year 2024 notched. I bought it on December 25^th of 2023. Make of that what you will.

Central Waters Raspberry Kringle Stout pours to a jet-black color with a thick but short lived fizzy tan head and a nose of dark chocolate and bright raspberry fruit. Taking a sip, the beer is full and rich in body and slides luxuriantly over the tongue. I get dark chocolate, toasted nuts, bright juicy raspberry fruit, black coffee, and boozy bourbon throughout but especially in the finish. That finish is rich and warming with alcohol, though not especially roasty or hoppy bitter. It’s gently sweet as a Kringle might be.

Other than the sweetness, though, there’s not a lot Kringle like here for me. It is a delicious sipping brew, though, and it would be a delight paired with a slice of Christmas Kringle cake. If I get the chance, I just might try that someday.

Glad I tried it?  T

Would I rebuy it??