Crimson Briar Review: Counter Weight's Raspberry Berliner Weisse

Crimson Briar is Counter Weight Brewing Co.'s raspberry kettle sour, a 4.8% ABV beer that sits in the enjoyable space between fruit beer and tart wheat ale. The brewery describes a jammy raspberry aroma, mild tartness, and a raspberry-led finish. I like that balance as a clear promise: this is a berry beer first, but the sour base should keep it from drinking like a sweet fruit soda. My rating for Crimson Briar is 4.13 out of 5.

Crimson Briar at a glance

At a Glance

The official brewery listing calls it a kettle sour with raspberries, while several public beer directories place it in the Berliner Weisse family. Those descriptions fit together: kettle souring describes a production approach, while Berliner Weisse is a style reference. Counter Weight does not publish an IBU, hop bill, full grain bill, or calorie figure for this beer, so I am leaving those fields unfilled instead of borrowing numbers from a different raspberry sour.

Who makes Crimson Briar?

Counter Weight Brewing Co. is an independent Connecticut brewery founded in 2017 by Matt Westfall and Niki Ellis. Westfall came to the project after a long stretch in professional brewing, including nine years as head brewer at New England Brewing Company. Counter Weight began in Hamden before moving to a larger Cheshire brewery in 2022. That facility gave the team considerably more room for brewing, packaging, a taproom, and the broad portfolio of traditional and experimental beers that now sits behind the brand.

The brewery's own description of its approach is a useful lens for Crimson Briar. Counter Weight talks about honoring established beer traditions while also experimenting with brewing methods and ingredients. A raspberry kettle sour is a natural fit for that mix: it takes a recognizable tart wheat-beer idea and gives the fruit a starring role. The brewery is now at 7 Diana Court in Cheshire, Connecticut. If you are visiting, check the current tap list and opening details before setting out, as rotating beers can change.

Counter Weight's range is not limited to sours. It makes hop-forward beers, lagers, Belgian-inspired ales, and wood-aged or wild projects. That breadth makes the brewery interesting to follow even if Crimson Briar is the beer that first catches your eye. Its official listing is short and focused: raspberry aroma, moderate tartness, and a finish with plenty of berry flavor. For me, that is a more useful promise than a long tasting-note paragraph that tries to describe details the brewery has not published.

ABV, ingredients, and what is not published

Crimson Briar clocks in at 4.8% ABV. That is a moderate strength for a flavorful sour, high enough to carry some body and still low enough for a relaxed pour. It is not a very low-alcohol beer, but it is lighter than many double-digit pastry sours and strong fruit ales. I would expect it to work well as a first pour or a palate-resetting glass alongside a meal, rather than a slow-sipping barrel-aged specialty.

Raspberry is the only specific ingredient the brewery names. Counter Weight says it uses copious amounts of the fruit, and the brewery's phraseology points toward a direct raspberry character rather than a vague berry impression. A raspberry addition can bring aroma, color, acidity, and a little fruit pulp character, depending on how and when it is used. Without a published recipe, though, there is no sound basis for claiming a particular raspberry variety, fruit quantity, malt percentage, or hop variety. The brewery does not list an IBU or calories either.

The kettle-sour description is meaningful. In a typical kettle-soured beer, brewers acidify the wort in the kettle before boiling and fermentation, creating a controlled tartness without relying on an extended mixed-culture fermentation. That method can produce a clean sour profile that leaves room for fruit. I would not assume every detail of Counter Weight's process from the style label alone, but it is a helpful way to understand why Crimson Briar's berry flavor can lead while the acidity stays measured.

If you want the style background, our guide to Berliner Weisse explains the light wheat-beer tradition that public listings associate with Crimson Briar. For another sour family, our Gose guide covers the salty, citrusy side of tart beer. The difference matters: Crimson Briar is built around raspberry and a gentle sour note, not the savory salt-and-coriander character that defines a gose.

Appearance, aroma, and flavor

Crimson Briar pours a saturated ruby-red to deep raspberry shade in a tulip glass, with a pale pink head that softens quickly. That color is an immediate clue that the fruit is not a background accent. The glass looks vivid without implying an opaque or heavy beer; the impression is closer to a bright fruit sour than a dark, syrupy dessert ale. A gentle pour should show the color best and keep the carbonation from building a tall foam cap.

The nose is all ripe berry. Counter Weight itself calls out a jammy raspberry aroma, and that makes sense for a beer intended to carry a generous fruit addition. I would look for a mix of fresh raspberry skin and soft jam-like sweetness, rather than the sharp candy note found in some fruit-flavored malt beverages. Underneath, the kettle-sour base should contribute a light grain impression and a clean acidic lift.

On the palate, Crimson Briar's stated character suggests a straightforward sequence: raspberry comes first, mild tartness follows, and the fruit remains through the finish. I prefer that sort of balance in a fruited sour. If the acidity stays gentle as described, it should let the berry flavor remain recognizable without stripping the palate or turning every sip into a sour challenge. The 4.8% ABV also gives the fruit space without making the beer feel weighty.

There is an important distinction between raspberry flavor and sweetness. A beer can smell like jam and taste strongly of berries without being syrupy. The brewery's wording emphasizes mild tartness and a raspberry finish, not a dessert-level sweetness. That points toward a more drinkable glass, although actual sweetness can shift with the batch and the amount of fruit. If you usually avoid aggressive sours, Crimson Briar sounds like a friendlier entry point than a sharply acidic wild ale.

For a sense of how the fruit character changes across the sour category, compare this with our reviews of Lindemans Framboise and Dogfish Head SeaQuench Ale. Framboise brings the traditional lambic approach and a different balance of fruit and acidity, while SeaQuench is a more citrus-forward, salt-edged session sour. Crimson Briar's identity is much more direct: raspberry up front, tartness in support.

How sour is Crimson Briar?

The brewery calls the flavor mildly tart, which is a useful signal for shoppers who are wary of sour beers. Crimson Briar is not described as a palate-punishing sour or a funky, oak-aged wild ale. I would expect a light, refreshing acidity that keeps the raspberry lively. That should make it easier to enjoy on its own than a more intense lambic or a barrel-aged sour with layered vinegar-like sharpness.

Sourness also changes how you notice the fruit. A touch of acidity can make raspberry seem brighter and fresher, while sweetness pushes it toward preserves. If you want a benchmark for the broader category, the site has a deep dive on sour beer brands and a wider best sour beers guide. Those pages cover very different fermentation approaches, which helps explain why two beers both called sour can taste nothing alike.

Food pairings for Crimson Briar

Raspberry and moderate acidity make this a flexible food beer. I would start with creamy or salty dishes: goat cheese, a mild blue cheese, brie, or a soft cheese spread. The fruit's sweetness can soften salt, while the beer's tartness helps cut through the richness. A simple cheese board with crackers and fresh berries would let the beer echo the ingredients without overwhelming them.

It should also work with grilled pork, roast chicken, or a salad with toasted nuts and a tangy vinaigrette. For spicy food, raspberry can bring a cooling contrast to chili heat, especially with Thai or Korean dishes that lean sweet and savory. I would avoid pairing it with a very sugary dessert, since a sweet dessert can make the beer's fruit seem thinner. A tart berry tart, lemon bar, or vanilla cheesecake is a better match. Our guide to pairing beer with desserts explores that sweet-versus-tart balance in more detail.

For a casual cookout, think grilled sausages, pulled pork, or a burger with a sharp cheese rather than a heavily smoked plate. The fruit can be a bright counterpoint, and the modest strength leaves room for more than one course. If you want a different sort of pairing idea, browse our beer and taco pairing picks. A fruit sour can be an especially nice foil for rich, spicy fillings.

Crimson Briar compared with other raspberry beers

Crimson Briar is a kettle sour from a Connecticut craft brewery, so I would put it in a different lane from a traditional lambic even though both can feature raspberry. Lindemans Framboise is the familiar reference point for a fruit lambic: a more Belgian, wine-like frame around the fruit. Crimson Briar sounds more like a clean, modern sour wheat ale where the berry aroma and flavor stay up front.

Another comparison is Odell Friek, a fruit-driven sour that uses cherries and raspberries in a different composition. And for a raspberry beer that is not built primarily as a sour, look at the Founders Rubaeus review. That comparison helps make the point: the same fruit can read very differently in a kettle sour, a lambic, or a fruited wheat ale.

If you want other examples to hunt down, our best raspberry beers list and best fruit beers guide give you a wider selection. I would choose Crimson Briar when I want the raspberry to lead but still want an unmistakably tart beer. I would move to a raspberry lambic for a more traditional, layered character, or choose a wheat beer when the fruit should be gentler and the acidity lower.

Where to find it, and what to try if it is not on tap

Crimson Briar is a regional brewery beer, so the most reliable starting point is Counter Weight's current tap list and Cheshire taproom. Availability can change with the season and release schedule, and I did not find this exact beer listed on Saucey. Rather than send you to a dead-end purchase page, here are five real, similar beers with existing Saucey links. They are not identical substitutes, but each brings a fruit-forward or tart profile that fits the same general mood.

Collective Arts Raspberry Dry Hopped Sour Ale is the closest direct match if you want raspberry and sourness together. Boon Framboise and Lindemans Framboise are fruit lambics that take the berry in a Belgian direction. Shock Top Raspberry Wheat is a softer, more approachable choice, while Dogfish Head SeaQuench keeps the acidity lively but swaps berry for lime and salt. Check availability for your delivery location, since online inventory varies.

My verdict: a raspberry sour built for balance

Crimson Briar's appeal is easy to understand from the brewery's own description: jammy raspberry aroma, mild tartness, and a fruit-forward finish at 4.8% ABV. Those traits make it sound like a good pick for someone who wants a proper sour beer but does not want acidity to take over the glass. The raspberry is the lead singer, with the tart base keeping the performance lively.

I rate it 4.13 out of 5. I gave Crimson Briar a 4.13 because its fruit-forward character, moderate alcohol level, and restrained sour edge make a focused, easy-to-enjoy sour. It will not be the choice for someone chasing hop bitterness, oak funk, or a bone-dry classic Berliner Weisse. But as a berry-led kettle sour, Crimson Briar has a clear personality and a strong reason to seek it out when it returns to the tap list.

Crimson Briar FAQs

What kind of beer is Crimson Briar?

Crimson Briar is a raspberry kettle sour from Counter Weight Brewing Co. Public beer directories also classify it as a Berliner Weisse-style beer, a tart wheat-beer family.

What is the ABV of Crimson Briar?

Counter Weight lists Crimson Briar at 4.8% ABV.

How bitter is Crimson Briar? Is an IBU published?

The brewery does not publish an IBU for Crimson Briar. Its published description emphasizes raspberry and mild tartness, not hop bitterness.

What ingredients are in Crimson Briar?

The brewery confirms that it is brewed with raspberries. It does not publish a complete malt bill, hop bill, or recipe details for this beer.

How many calories are in Crimson Briar?

I could not find an official calorie figure for Crimson Briar. Since alcohol strength and residual sugar both affect calories, estimates based only on its ABV would be unreliable.

Where can I buy Crimson Briar?

Start with Counter Weight Brewing Co.'s Cheshire taproom and current beer list. If Crimson Briar is not available nearby, the five alternatives above offer real raspberry or sour-beer options with Saucey links.

References

• Counter Weight Brewing Co., All Brews: official Crimson Briar description and ABV.
• Counter Weight Brewing Co., Visit the Taproom: current address and taproom information.
• CT Insider, article on the brewery move to Cheshire, June 10, 2022: brewery history and Cheshire expansion.
• TapHunter, Counterweight Crimson Briar: style and ABV listing.