Blue Monkey Pac-Man Weisse 4.0%
Blue Monkey's Pac-Man Weisse is a Berliner Weisse that brings a delightful twist to the classic style. At just 4.0% ABV, this beer is light, crisp, and refreshing, with the perfect balance of tartness and fruitiness. The beer pours a pale, hazy yellow with a thin, white head, releasing aromas of fresh pineapple and zesty ginger. On the palate, the sharp tartness typical of a Berliner Weisse is balanced by the sweet, tropical fruitiness of pineapple puree. The root ginger adds a pleasant, spicy warmth that lingers on the finish, enhancing the beer's refreshing qualities without overpowering it. The overall experience is smooth and easy-drinking, making it an ideal choice for a summer day or as a palate cleanser between richer dishes.
Interesting Fact: Berliner Weisse is a traditional German sour wheat beer that has been brewed for centuries. Typically low in alcohol and intensely refreshing, the style is often enjoyed with flavoured syrups to enhance its fruity tartness. Pac-Man Weisse takes a unique approach by infusing the beer with both root ginger and pineapple puree, elevating the complexity and adding an extra layer of warmth and fruitiness. This blend of flavours makes it a contemporary take on the classic Berliner Weisse.
Food Pairings: Pac-Man Weisse pairs beautifully with light, fresh dishes. Try it with a simple goat cheese salad, where the beer’s acidity and fruitiness will complement the tangy cheese. It also works wonderfully with grilled seafood, like shrimp or scallops, where the beer’s crispness will enhance the delicate flavours of the fish. For a snack pairing, enjoy it with spiced nuts or lightly salted popcorn, where the beer’s ginger warmth and tartness will balance the salty flavours.
SALT Blackcurrant Krush Fruited Sour 4.5% VG
SALT's Blackcurrant Krush is a fruited sour that packs a serious punch in terms of both flavour and refreshment. At 4.5% ABV, this beer is juicy, tart, and downright sessionable. The colour is a deep, vibrant purple, and the nose is bursting with the rich, tangy aroma of blackcurrants. On the palate, Blackcurrant Krush is incredibly juicy, with the blackcurrants providing a tangy burst of fruitiness that is both tart and slightly sweet. The sourness is bright and clean, cutting through the richness of the fruit and leaving a crisp, refreshing finish. The beer’s moderate alcohol content and vibrant flavour make it an ideal choice for easy drinking.
Interesting Fact: Blackcurrants are known for their high levels of antioxidants and vitamin C, and they are often used in beverages for their bold, tangy flavour. SALT has taken full advantage of these qualities by creating a beer that showcases the fruit’s sharp, tart profile. This fruited sour combines the refreshing acidity of blackcurrants with the complex, funky characteristics of a sour beer, offering a lively and satisfying drink.
Food Pairings: Blackcurrant Krush is perfect for pairing with fresh, summery dishes. Try it with a goat cheese salad or a fruit-forward cheese platter, where the tartness of the beer will complement the creamy cheese. It also works wonderfully with chargrilled chicken, where the beer’s acidity contrasts with the savoury richness of the meat. For dessert, enjoy it with a lemon meringue pie or a berry sorbet, where the beer’s blackcurrant flavours will enhance the fruitiness of the dessert.
Vault City Sugar Plum Spritz Plum, Grape & Cherry Cocktail Sour 4.5% VG
Vault City's Sugar Plum Spritz is a cocktail-inspired sour that combines juicy plum, grape, and cherry flavours in a beautifully balanced brew. At 4.5% ABV, this beer is crisp, refreshing, and bursting with fruitiness. The beer pours a light pink, almost sparkling, with a fizzy carbonation that makes it feel like a fizzy, fruity cocktail. The plum flavour is prominent, providing a rich, sweet base, while the grape and cherry add layers of tartness and complexity. The wine grape juice enhances the beer’s vinous character, making it feel almost like a spritz or a sangria in beer form. The finish is clean and crisp, with a slight sweetness that balances the tartness of the fruit.
Interesting Fact: The idea for Sugar Plum Spritz came from the growing trend of cocktail-inspired sour beers, where brewers are taking inspiration from popular mixed drinks and infusing them into the beer world. The combination of plums, grapes, and cherries is particularly notable because these fruits work together to create a beer that is both sweet and tart, with a complexity that mirrors the layered flavours of a cocktail. The use of wine grape juice adds a touch of sophistication and depth to the sour beer style.
Food Pairings: Sugar Plum Spritz is an excellent pairing for light, fruity dishes. Try it with a goat cheese salad with fresh berries, where the beer’s fruitiness will complement the tangy cheese. It also pairs well with grilled seafood, especially shellfish like prawns or lobster, where the beer’s crisp finish will enhance the natural sweetness of the seafood. For dessert, enjoy it with a fresh fruit tart or a citrus sorbet, where the beer’s refreshing acidity and fruit flavours will complement the dessert’s sweetness.
Farm Yard Stay Crumble Plum & Apricot Sour 4.5%
Farm Yard’s Stay Crumble is a fruit-forward sour inspired by the comforting flavours of a classic fruit crumble. At 4.5% ABV, this beer is rich and fruity, with the tangy sweetness of plums and apricots leading the way. The beer pours a hazy amber, with aromas of baked fruit, vanilla, and a hint of creaminess. On the palate, the fruit flavours are front and centre, with the plums providing a tart, juicy kick and the apricots adding a smooth, mellow sweetness. The lactose and vanilla add a creamy, dessert-like quality, balancing the tartness and giving the beer a smooth, satisfying finish that’s reminiscent of a warm fruit crumble topped with custard.
Interesting Fact: The use of lactose in Stay Crumble is key to achieving the smooth, creamy mouthfeel that makes this beer feel like a dessert in a glass. Lactose, a milk sugar that doesn’t ferment in beer, adds sweetness and body without contributing to alcohol content. The combination of plums, apricots, and vanilla gives this sour a well-rounded, dessert-inspired character, making it a beer that is both refreshing and indulgent.
Food Pairings: Stay Crumble is a natural match for rich, dessert-like foods. Try it with a classic apple crumble or a fruit tart, where the beer’s tart fruit flavours complement the sweetness of the dessert. It also pairs well with a soft, creamy cheese like brie or camembert, where the beer’s fruitiness will enhance the richness of the cheese. For a savoury option, enjoy it with a roasted pork dish with a fruit glaze, where the beer’s fruity sweetness will balance the richness of the meat.
Vault City Tropical Twist Ice Lolly Sour 4.5%
Vault City’s Tropical Twist is a vibrant, ice lolly-inspired sour that brings the refreshing taste of summer to a beer glass. At 4.5% ABV, this sour is light, fruity, and incredibly sessionable, making it a great choice for warm weather. The beer pours a bright, almost neon colour, with aromas of tropical fruits like pineapple, mango, and passionfruit. On the palate, Tropical Twist is a burst of juicy fruit flavours, with the tangy acidity of the sour base perfectly balancing the sweetness of the tropical fruits. The finish is crisp and clean, making it a highly drinkable beer that’s both refreshing and full of tropical character.
Interesting Fact: The inspiration behind Tropical Twist comes from the classic ice lollies, often enjoyed on hot summer days. Vault City’s ability to capture the essence of those frozen treats in beer form is a testament to their creativity and dedication to producing bold, flavourful sours. By infusing the beer with tropical fruits, they’ve created a beer that’s not only fun and refreshing but also packed with vibrant, juicy flavours.
Food Pairings: Tropical Twist is perfect for pairing with light, fresh dishes. Try it with a grilled fish taco or a fresh ceviche, where the beer’s tropical flavours will complement the tangy, citrusy notes of the dish. It also works well with a fruit salad or a tropical fruit sorbet, where the beer’s fruity character will enhance the sweetness of the dessert. For a more savoury option, enjoy it with a grilled chicken salad with mango salsa, where the beer’s acidity and fruitiness will complement the freshness of the salad.
New Bristol Brewery Cornish Blackberry Crumble & Clotted Cream Sour 6.0% VG
New Bristol Brewery’s Cornish Blackberry Crumble & Clotted Cream Sour is a beautiful, nostalgic beer that evokes the comforting flavours of autumn. At 6.0% ABV, this beer is rich and smooth, with the tartness of blackberries providing a bright, fruity opening. The beer pours a deep purple, with aromas of baked fruit, cinnamon, and the creamy richness of clotted cream. On the palate, the blackberry flavour is upfront, complemented by the smooth, dessert-like sweetness from the lactose and the complexity of the malt base. The finish is creamy and rich, making it a perfect beer for those who love fruit-forward sours with a touch of sweetness.
Interesting Fact: The inspiration behind Cornish Blackberry Crumble & Clotted Cream Sour comes from the classic British dessert, blackberry crumble with a dollop of clotted cream. The beer captures the essence of this beloved dish by combining the tartness of blackberries with the creamy sweetness of clotted cream. The use of lactose and malted oats in the brewing process adds to the beer’s smooth, dessert-like texture.
Food Pairings: Cornish Blackberry Crumble & Clotted Cream Sour is a natural pairing for fruit-based desserts. Try it with a slice of blackberry crumble or a warm fruit pie, where the beer’s tartness will complement the sweetness of the dessert. It also works well with creamy cheeses like brie or goat cheese, where the beer’s smooth mouthfeel enhances the richness of the cheese. For a more savoury option, enjoy it with a chargrilled pork dish with a berry glaze, where the beer’s fruitiness balances the savoury richness of the meat.
Wilde Child Dangerous Liaison Passionfruit & Guava Sour 4.8% VG
Wilde Child’s Dangerous Liaison is a vibrant, tropical sour that delivers a burst of passionfruit and guava flavour. At 4.8% ABV, this beer is bright, zesty, and incredibly refreshing. The beer pours a hazy yellow, with tropical aromas of passionfruit, guava, and citrus. On the palate, the beer is full of juicy fruit flavours, with the passionfruit providing a tart kick and the guava adding a smooth, tropical sweetness. The beer’s clean sour finish makes it incredibly refreshing, and the vibrant tropical character ensures that each sip is as exciting as the last.
Interesting Fact: The combination of passionfruit and guava is a common flavour pairing in tropical-inspired beers, as both fruits offer bold, tropical flavours that balance sweetness and acidity. Wilde Child’s use of these fruits in a sour beer creates a bright, flavourful experience that showcases the best of the tropical fruit world.
Food Pairings: Dangerous Liaison pairs perfectly with light, fresh dishes. Try it with a seafood salad or a fresh ceviche, where the beer’s acidity and fruitiness will complement the bright, tangy flavours of the dish. It also works well with grilled chicken or tacos, especially with a tropical salsa or fruit topping, where the beer’s tropical flavours will enhance the dish. For dessert, enjoy it with a fruit sorbet or a tropical fruit salad, where the beer’s passionfruit and guava notes will enhance the natural sweetness of the fruit.
Yonder Coconut Key Lime Pie Pastry Sour 4.0%
Yonder’s Coconut Key Lime Pie is a pastry sour that perfectly captures the essence of the beloved dessert in a refreshing beer. At 4.0% ABV, this beer is light, zesty, and smooth, with the bright tang of key lime providing an immediate citrus punch. The addition of toasted coconut brings a sweet, tropical richness that balances the tartness of the lime, while the lactose adds a creamy, dessert-like sweetness to the beer. The smooth, slightly tart finish makes it incredibly drinkable and refreshing, reminiscent of enjoying a slice of key lime pie on a warm, sunny day. It’s a fun, flavourful take on a pastry sour that delivers both the familiar flavours of the dessert and a new, beer-inspired experience.
Interesting Fact: The use of coconut in this pastry sour adds a layer of sweetness and creaminess that mimics the texture and flavour of a coconut crust, a key element in traditional key lime pie. The addition of lactose enhances this effect, providing the beer with a rich, smooth mouthfeel, while the bright key lime flavour delivers the tart contrast expected from the dessert. It’s a perfect summer brew that takes inspiration from a classic American dessert.
Food Pairings: Coconut Key Lime Pie pairs wonderfully with tropical and creamy dishes. Try it with a coconut shrimp curry, where the beer’s coconut sweetness complements the richness of the curry’s sauce. It also works well with a classic key lime pie or coconut cream pie, where the beer’s tart lime and coconut flavours enhance the dessert’s creamy richness. For a savoury option, enjoy it with a grilled chicken salad, especially one with a citrus dressing, where the beer’s acidity and smooth body will enhance the freshness of the dish.