[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Beer, lambic, cider; None of the above. Does not meet the Reinheitsgebot (Wasser, maltz, hops). They put fruit into it but controlled the yeast used (Not wild), and aged it, not lambic, but close. Not a cider, since not apple.

So! Fortified beverage it is!

[TexasGator]

“So! Fortified beverage it is!”

Not fortified.

[Fungi]

True. The German purity law does not apply to US brewers, but even with that, a 28% alcohol beer is closer to a brandy or other fortified beverage than a beer. Nevertheless, it’s all about marketing and uniqueness, and don’t forget the money.