New Planet 3R Raspbwerry Ale

New Planet 3R Raspberry Ale is a certified gluten-free fruit ale brewed at 5% ABV with sorghum, corn, and Oregon-grown raspberry puree. It earned a Gold medal at the Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition in the gluten-free category and a Bronze medal at the 2010 Great American Beer Festival. Note that this expression has been discontinued by the brewery, making remaining bottles increasingly scarce.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5%  |  Origin: Boulder, Colorado  |  Style: Gluten-Free Fruit Ale  |  Brewery: New Planet Beer Company

Production & Heritage

New Planet Beer Company, based in Boulder, Colorado, built its reputation on brewing flavorful beers accessible to those with gluten sensitivities. The 3R Raspberry Ale uses a base of fermented sorghum and corn extract rather than barley or wheat, achieving certified gluten-free status without relying on enzyme-treated conventional grains. Oregon-grown raspberry puree provides the fruit character, while additions of orange peel and hops round out the recipe. The "3R" name reflects the brewery's sustainability-minded ethos, and this expression became one of their signature releases before production ceased.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh raspberry leads immediately, followed by a light grain sweetness from the sorghum base. A faint citrus note from the orange peel lingers underneath, giving the nose a zesty, inviting quality.

Taste: The entry is crisp and lightly effervescent, with natural raspberry flavor arriving at the mid-palate without excessive sweetness. A subtle tartness from both the sorghum and the fruit puree creates a balanced interplay, while the body remains deliberately light and refreshing. The orange peel addition contributes a mild citrus brightness that keeps each sip moving forward.

Finish: The finish is clean and relatively short, closing with a zesty, citrusy snap and a whisper of residual berry. The light sorghum character fades quickly, leaving a dry, sessionable impression.

How to Drink 3R Raspberry Ale

Serve chilled between 40–45°F in a tulip glass or standard pint to appreciate the pinkish-amber color and preserve carbonation. Its light body and fruit-forward profile make it a natural warm-weather pour straight from the bottle as well.

• Raspberry Shandy: Blend with fresh lemonade for a gluten-free twist on the classic shandy — the ale's natural tartness harmonizes with citrus.
• Beer Mimosa: Substitute for sparkling wine alongside orange juice at brunch — the low ABV and fruit notes keep things light.
• Radler-style serve: Mix with grapefruit soda for a low-alcohol, effervescent cooler where the raspberry and citrus complement each other.

Best For

• Sharing at a summer barbecue with guests who follow gluten-free diets
• Introducing someone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity to craft beer
• Adding variety to a curated gluten-free beer tasting lineup
• Collecting a discontinued, award-winning craft release

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 3R Raspberry Ale taste like? It delivers a crisp, lightly tart raspberry flavor with subtle citrus from orange peel and a clean, dry finish from its sorghum and corn base. The fruit character is present but not cloying, sitting closer to a refreshing session ale than a sweet lambic.

How does 3R Raspberry Ale compare to Thirsty Dog Raspberry Ale? Thirsty Dog's version uses a traditional barley-based recipe, resulting in a fuller malt body and more pronounced sweetness, but it is not gluten-free. New Planet's 3R trades some of that malt depth for a lighter, crisper profile built on sorghum and corn, specifically designed for those avoiding gluten.

Is 3R Raspberry Ale good for someone new to gluten-free beer? Yes — the 5% ABV keeps it approachable, and the raspberry puree masks some of the sorghum grain character that can be unfamiliar to first-time gluten-free beer drinkers. It serves as a friendly entry point into the category.

Where is 3R Raspberry Ale made? It was brewed by New Planet Beer Company in Boulder, Colorado. Boulder's established craft beer scene provided a strong community for the brewery's gluten-free focused lineup.

What foods pair well with 3R Raspberry Ale? Grilled chicken with a berry glaze mirrors the fruit notes nicely. Goat cheese salads benefit from the ale's tartness cutting through the creaminess. Dark chocolate desserts create a classic berry-chocolate contrast. Lemon-dressed seafood like ceviche complements the citrusy finish, and soft pretzels made with gluten-free flour keep the entire pairing accessible.

What sizes does 3R Raspberry Ale come in? It was typically available in standard 12 oz bottles, often sold in six-packs. As a discontinued product, availability is limited to remaining retail stock.

Is 3R Raspberry Ale worth the price? It positioned as a mid-range specialty craft beer, carrying a slight premium over mainstream gluten-free options due to its use of Oregon-grown raspberry puree and its GABF and LA International medal credentials. Its discontinued status may add collector or scarcity value.

Why 3R Raspberry Ale?

This ale earned recognition at two major competitions — a Gold medal at the Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition and a Bronze at the 2010 Great American Beer Festival — placing it among the most decorated gluten-free beers of its era. Its recipe relied on genuine Oregon raspberry puree rather than artificial flavoring, a detail that distinguished it from many competitors in the gluten-free space. With New Planet Beer Company having discontinued production, remaining bottles represent one of the few chances to experience an early, award-winning example of American gluten-free craft brewing. For anyone building a gluten-free beer collection or simply curious about the category's history, this is a meaningful bottle to track down.