Tap Handle #291: Anthony Martin Brewery - Timmermans Framboise Lambic

This tap bears a strong resemblance to the Stella Artois tap, except for the cherubs on each side of the tap holding on to a raspberry. Since it is from a Belgian brewer, these taps are pretty hard to come by. There are a few variations of this tap, with slightly different labels and also small differences in the appearance of the cherubs.

Timmermans was founded in Brussels, Belgium in 1702 by Jacobus Walravens (another site lists Jan Vandermeulen as the founder). Nicknamed “The Mole Brewery” (“Brasserie de la Taupe”), it included a farm, an orchard, a cafe and a malt-house. Early in the 20th century, Paul Van Cutsem, the son-in-law of Frans Timmermans, and the fifth generation of Timmermans to run the brewery, changed the name to Timmermans Brewery. Timmermans is primarily known for its Lambic, which it has been brewing for more than two centuries, making it the oldest Belgian Lambic brewery.

Most beers are produced by the introduction of a cultured yeast to a malted grain in a tightly controlled environment.  Lambic beer is a product of “wild yeast” which is believed to native to the Senne Valley, in which Brussels lies, in a process called spontaneous fermentation.  This process may only be performed from October to May as the summer months present too many impurities in the air which may spoil the beer.  Gueuze Lambic is a mixture of young (one year old) and old (two or three year old) Lambics which is then bottled.  The young portion re-ferments the beer increasing its alcohol content and producing carbon dioxide.  These bottles may be aged a year to twenty years.

About the time of the brewery's name change, Bourgogne des Flandres was developed. Called “infusion of lambic,” a selection of the best lambic is mixed with high-fermentation ale. Timmermans began brewing Bourgogne des Flandres in 1985, and now uses a sweetener in their Lambics, except for the "Traditional" line which uses real fruit. In 1993, the Anthony Martin Brewery bought Timmermans.

Timmermans Framboise is a fruit Lambic made by adding 100% natural raspberry flavouring to lambic. After a period of maturation in oak barrels, the beer turns a red-amber in color, with a fresh raspberry aroma and a sweet-sour taste. Weighted average on ratebeer.com is 2.84 out of 5.

Anthony Martin's Timmerman Webpage (English)