Oliphant The Raspberry Experiment 4Pk

Oliphant The Raspberry Experiment 4PK is a raspberry-driven sour ale from Oliphant Brewing in Somerset, Wisconsin, sold as a four-pack. Part of the brewery's experimental lineup, this release showcases Oliphant's signature approach to fruit-forward sour ales.

Quick Facts: Style: Raspberry Sour Ale  |  Origin: Somerset, Wisconsin  |  Brewery: Oliphant Brewing  |  Format: 4-Pack

Production & Heritage

Oliphant Brewing operates out of Somerset, Wisconsin, where the team has built a reputation for inventive sour ales and fruit-forward beers. A defining element of their process is the addition of fruit before fermentation rather than after — a technique the brewery credits with producing a noticeably smoother sour ale with better-integrated fruit character and less pulpy texture. The Raspberry Experiment fits within Oliphant's tradition of pushing boundaries with fruit and acidity, letting the raspberry shine as the central ingredient rather than a background accent.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh raspberry leads immediately, with bright berry sweetness and a subtle tart edge. Behind the fruit, light wheat and mild lactic notes round out the nose.

Taste: The palate opens with ripe raspberry, delivering a balance of natural berry sweetness and puckering sour acidity. Mid-palate, the tartness builds without becoming aggressive, and the fruit integration stays clean throughout — a hallmark of Oliphant's pre-fermentation fruit addition technique.

Finish: The finish is crisp and moderately tart, with lingering raspberry that fades gradually. Light and refreshing, it leaves a dry, clean impression that invites another sip.

How to Drink The Raspberry Experiment

This sour ale is best served cold, straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to concentrate the fruit aromatics. Its bright acidity also makes it a versatile ingredient behind the bar. A Berliner Weisse-style serve with a dash of woodruff or elderflower syrup complements the raspberry tartness. It works well in a Beer Shandy, mixed with lemonade for a refreshing warm-weather drink. Try it in a Raspberry Radler by blending it with sparkling grapefruit juice for an effervescent, low-ABV sipper.

Best For

• Introducing a sour beer skeptic to the style with an approachable, fruit-forward entry point
• Backyard cookouts and warm-weather gatherings where something tart and refreshing fits the moment
• Pairing alongside a cheese board or brunch spread
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast who seeks out limited experimental releases

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Raspberry Experiment taste like? It delivers a prominent raspberry flavor balanced by sour acidity, with clean fruit character and a crisp, tart finish that avoids excessive sweetness.

How does The Raspberry Experiment compare to Oliphant's Super Squishy? Super Squishy is a 5.0% ABV sour ale that blends blackberry, raspberry, coconut, sea salt, vanilla, and lactose for a more complex, dessert-leaning profile, while The Raspberry Experiment focuses squarely on raspberry with a leaner, more straightforward tart character.

Is The Raspberry Experiment good for sour beer beginners? Yes — its clean raspberry flavor and smooth tartness make it an accessible starting point for drinkers new to sour ales, without the aggressive acidity found in some Belgian-style sours.

Where is The Raspberry Experiment made? It is brewed by Oliphant Brewing in Somerset, Wisconsin, a small town in St. Croix County in the western part of the state.

What foods pair well with The Raspberry Experiment? Soft goat cheese or brie benefits from the beer's tartness cutting through richness. Grilled chicken with a berry glaze echoes the raspberry notes. Dark chocolate desserts contrast the acidity. A fresh arugula salad with vinaigrette mirrors the beer's bright, tart personality. Smoked pork pairs well, as the fruit and acid cut through fat and smoke.

What sizes does The Raspberry Experiment come in? It is available as a 4-pack from Oliphant Brewing.

Is The Raspberry Experiment worth the price? It positions as a craft sour ale from a small-batch Wisconsin brewery, and the focused raspberry profile and pre-fermentation fruit process deliver a level of quality that justifies its place in the specialty craft tier.

Why The Raspberry Experiment?

What sets this beer apart begins at the production level: Oliphant's practice of adding raspberry before fermentation yields a smoother, more cohesive fruit character than the post-fermentation additions common across much of the sour ale market. The result is a beer where raspberry flavor reads as integrated rather than layered on top. For drinkers who find many fruit sours one-dimensional or cloyingly sweet, The Raspberry Experiment offers a cleaner, more balanced alternative from a small Wisconsin brewery committed to doing fruit sours their own way.