Allagash Heart Of Hearts 375ML

Allagash Heart Of Hearts 375ML is a foudre-aged raspberry sour beer from Allagash Brewing Company in Portland, Maine, bottled at 6.1% ABV. Built on a complex grain bill and rested for four months on fresh-plucked raspberries, it holds a 4.1 out of 5 rating on Untappd across more than 2,200 reviews.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.1%  |  Origin: Portland, Maine  |  Foudre-Aged Raspberry Sour  |  Brewery: Allagash Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Allagash Brewing Company, founded in 1995 in Portland, Maine, has long been one of America's most respected producers of Belgian-inspired ales and wild fermented beers. Heart Of Hearts begins with a grain bill of local Vienna malt, local pale malt, local oats, rye malt, raw white wheat, and a base malt blend — a notably diverse foundation for a sour beer. The brew is aged in large French oak foudre vessels, a traditional European technique that imparts gentle wood character without the intensity of smaller barrels, then rested for four months on fresh-plucked raspberries before bottling in 375ML format.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh raspberries lead immediately, followed by subtle oak and a bright hint of lemon. The fruit is vivid and true to its source, not candied or artificial, with the foudre aging lending a delicate woody backdrop.

Taste: The entry is tart and fruit-driven, with ripe raspberry hitting the palate first. At mid-palate, lemon-like acidity amplifies the sourness while oak tannins provide structure and balance. The interplay between sweet berry fruit and clean acidity keeps the beer lively without veering into puckering territory.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering raspberry tartness and a dry, gently tannic close from the foudre aging. A subtle floral quality emerges as the fruit fades, leaving the palate refreshed and clean.

How to Drink Heart Of Hearts

Heart Of Hearts is best served chilled, around 45–50°F, in a tulip glass or wine goblet that concentrates its aromatic complexity. Pouring slowly and allowing a few minutes of warming brings out more of the oak character beneath the fruit.

• Berliner Weisse–style serve: Pour over a scoop of raspberry sorbet for a dessert-like presentation that amplifies the berry notes.
• Sour Shandy: Blend with fresh-squeezed lemonade for a low-ABV summer refresher that leans into the beer's natural citrus tones.
• Beer Mimosa: Combine with a splash of dry sparkling wine in a flute — the acidity of both components melds into something bright and celebratory.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates wild and sour styles
• Pairing alongside a cheese course at an intimate dinner party
• Celebrating a special occasion with a small-format, high-quality pour
• Introducing wine drinkers to the world of foudre-aged sour beer

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Heart Of Hearts taste like? Heart Of Hearts delivers bright, tart raspberry flavor supported by gentle oak tannins and a lemon-like acidity. It balances sour and sweet elements in a way that feels fruit-driven rather than aggressively acidic.

How does Heart Of Hearts compare to Allagash Stories Told? Stories Told is often described as the darker cherry-blackberry equivalent within the Allagash sour lineup, while Heart Of Hearts focuses squarely on raspberry with a brighter, more floral profile. Both are foudre-aged, but the fruit choices push them in distinctly different flavor directions.

Is Heart Of Hearts good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its 6.1% ABV, layered fruit character, and balanced acidity make it an ideal standalone sipping beer, especially when served chilled in a stemmed glass.

Where is Heart Of Hearts made? Heart Of Hearts is produced at Allagash Brewing Company in Portland, Maine. Allagash has brewed Belgian-inspired and wild ales since 1995 and ages this beer in large French oak foudre vessels on site.

What foods pair well with Heart Of Hearts? Aged goat cheese complements the tartness with its tangy creaminess. Duck liver pâté benefits from the beer's acidity cutting through richness. Fresh berry tarts echo the raspberry character. Grilled salmon pairs well as the fruit and oak stand up to the fish's fat. Dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao provides a bittersweet counterpoint to the sour fruit.

What sizes does Heart Of Hearts come in? Heart Of Hearts is available in a 375ML bottle, the standard small format Allagash uses for many of its specialty and cellar-aged releases.

Is Heart Of Hearts worth the price? Heart Of Hearts positions as a premium specialty sour, justified by its foudre aging, use of fresh whole raspberries, and complex multi-grain bill. Within the American sour beer category, it sits in the upper tier alongside other small-batch, fruit-conditioned releases — and its critical ratings support that standing.

Why Heart Of Hearts?

Foudre aging sets Heart Of Hearts apart from the majority of American fruited sours, which typically rely on stainless steel or standard oak barrels. The large-format French oak vessels allow slow, controlled micro-oxygenation that develops complexity without overwhelming the fruit. A four-month rest on fresh-plucked raspberries — not purée or extract — delivers an authenticity in the berry character that comes through clearly in the glass. With a 4.1 rating on Untappd and a 3.95 on BeerAdvocate, it has earned consistent critical approval as one of Allagash's most compelling seasonal releases.