Dovetail Vignette Frambois 12.7OZ

Dovetail Vignette Framboise 12.7oz is a spontaneously fermented wild ale brewed with raspberries by Dovetail Brewery in Chicago, Illinois, at 5.8% ABV. Dovetail's Framboise line has earned 96 points from Wine Enthusiast, placing it among the most critically acclaimed American-made spontaneous ales available today.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.8%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  Spontaneous Wild Ale with Raspberries  |  Brewery: Dovetail Brewery

Production & Heritage

Dovetail Brewery operates out of Chicago's North Center neighborhood, committed to traditional European brewing techniques rarely attempted in the American craft landscape. The Vignette Framboise begins with a turbid mash — a labor-intensive, multi-step process borrowed from Belgian lambic tradition — and is then transferred to the brewery's custom-built coolship, where it undergoes spontaneous fermentation using wild yeasts native to the Chicago environment rather than any commercially cultivated strains. The resulting beer is aged on whole raspberries, drawing flavor from the fruit's juice, skin, and seeds before blending and packaging in 12.7oz bottles.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh whole raspberries rise immediately, followed by earthy oak and barrel-derived funk. A lactic acidity threads beneath the fruit, lending a vinous, almost wine-like dimension to the nose.

Taste: The entry is bright and juicy with ripe raspberry, but the mid-palate shifts quickly into complexity — seedy, leafy tannins emerge alongside pronounced oak character and a subtle floral note. A light Brettanomyces presence surfaces toward the peak, adding a dry, farmhouse-like earthiness that balances the fruit's natural sweetness.

Finish: Tart and drying, with lingering seed-like tannins and a whisper of dill from fresh oak contact. The finish is moderately long, leaving behind clean acidity and a ghost of raspberry skin.

How to Drink Vignette Framboise

Serve chilled at 45–50°F in a tulip glass or wine goblet to concentrate the aromatic complexity. This is a sipping beer — the tartness and layered fruit reward slow, deliberate drinking. For cocktail-curious drinkers: use it as a topper in a Berliner Fizz (gin, lemon, simple syrup, topped with Framboise) for a sparkling tart finish; blend it into a Lambic Sangria alongside seasonal stone fruits and a splash of brandy; or try a Framboise Kir, substituting it for wine in a classic Kir preparation with a small measure of crème de cassis.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates traditional Belgian-inspired brewing
• Pairing alongside a cheese board at an intimate dinner gathering
• Introducing wine drinkers to the world of spontaneous wild ales
• Celebrating a special occasion with something rare and locally produced

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Vignette Framboise taste like? Vignette Framboise delivers bright, juicy raspberry fruit up front, followed by earthy oak, floral notes, and a tart, drying finish driven by wild yeast and barrel character.

How does Vignette Framboise compare to Lindemans Framboise? Lindemans Framboise is a sweeter, more approachable Belgian lambic that uses added sugar for broader commercial appeal, while Dovetail's version is drier, more tart, and fermented with Chicago-native wild yeasts rather than traditional Belgian microflora. The Dovetail expression emphasizes oak tannin and Brett complexity over fruit sweetness.

Is Vignette Framboise good for sipping neat? Yes — its layered acidity, fruit depth, and barrel-derived tannins make it an ideal sipping beer, best enjoyed slowly from a tulip glass at cellar temperature.

Where is Vignette Framboise made? Vignette Framboise is brewed at Dovetail Brewery in the North Center neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, using the brewery's custom-built coolship for spontaneous fermentation with locally occurring wild yeasts.

What foods pair well with Vignette Framboise? Aged goat cheese complements the tartness with creamy richness; dark chocolate brings out the berry depth; duck confit echoes the earthy, funky barrel notes; fresh berry tarts create a harmonious fruit-on-fruit pairing; and charcuterie with mild pâté offers a savory counterpoint to the acidity.

What sizes does Vignette Framboise come in? The standard format is a 12.7oz (375ml) bottle, a traditional size for Belgian-style spontaneous ales and fruit lambics.

Is Vignette Framboise worth the price? Vignette Framboise positions as a premium craft wild ale, and its labor-intensive turbid mash, coolship fermentation, extended aging, and whole-fruit maceration justify its placement above standard craft beer pricing — comparable to imported Belgian gueuze and fruit lambics.

Why Vignette Framboise?

Spontaneous fermentation via coolship is extraordinarily rare in American brewing, and Dovetail is one of a handful of U.S. breweries committed to the process year after year. What distinguishes this Framboise from both domestic sour ales and Belgian imports is its fermentation with Chicago's own wild microflora — no two vintages will ever taste exactly the same. The 96-point recognition from Wine Enthusiast for Dovetail's Framboise line signals that this is not a novelty experiment but a serious contribution to the category. For drinkers seeking a domestically produced wild ale that rivals traditional Belgian Framboise in complexity and authenticity, Dovetail's Vignette stands in rare company.