Mybeerbuzz. com Highlights North Coast Tart Cherry (Review)

In the late 1990’s I was just starting to discover imperial stouts, and a whole new world of Russian Imperial Stouts.  I sampled quite a few different beers back in the day, but one of those beers really changed my view of the style and to this day I consider it one of my favorites and the high-bar that I still judge all other RIS beers by.  Of course that beer was Old Rasputin from North Coast Brewing, and while we’re not sampling that beer today, I am excited to try the new Tart Cherry coming from North Coast.

North Coast Tart Cherry is a Berliner-style Weisse brewed in the “Berlin White” style.  This beer is one of three Berliners coming from North Coast, and this seasonal release has to be one of my favorite fruits to choose; Cherry.  The upcoming Berliner-releases will include Passion fruit-peach, and cranberry-quince but I’m really excited to try this new cherry beer…so off we go.

Image Courtesy of North Coast

Tart Cherry pours a bright pink-red color that quite simply looks very appetizing.  The fresh Michigan Montmorency cherry aromas are prominent with a punch of tartness at the end.  The beer is effervescent and lighter bodied and the flavors follow the traditional fruited tart wheat ale formula from a classic Berliner Weisse (with perhaps just a bit less acidic sharpness—a good thing).  With cherry leading the way and lots of fruit forward presence, you won’t have to wonder what flavor Berliner this is for more than a sip.  Overall the beer is tart and refreshing with a nice balance of malt and fruit flavors.   Tart Cherry is crisp and clean and really easy drinking and I really liked the overall balance of Tart Cherry.

As a side note, we did not try it, but I was very curious how the punch of tart cherry from this beer would taste blended with a little Old Rasputin, but we’ll take care of that test another time.  North Coast Tart Cherry is a great example of a classic Berliner Weisse and I can’t wait to try the upcoming Berliners from North Coast.  The beer hits a really sessionable 4.1%-AbV and it is available now in 12oz bottles….so get out there are try Tart Cherry for yourself.  And when you do try it, be sure to let us know what YOU think.