Wilderness ~ Love Me Anyway 5.0% Apricot Sour VG
Wilderness’s Love Me Anyway is a vibrant and refreshing apricot sour that offers a delightful balance of tartness and fruitiness. The beer pours a pale, hazy yellow with a frothy white head, signalling its light body and effervescent carbonation. The first sip is an invigorating burst of sharp, citrus-like tang that quickly transitions into the sweet juiciness of apricots. The wheat base adds a slight creaminess, while the Lactobacillus and Hornindal Kveik yeast contribute an intriguing depth of flavour. The macerated apricots infuse the beer with a delightful fruitiness that lingers, alongside hints of the skin and stone that ground the beer in its fruit-forward nature.
Interesting Fact: The use of Hornindal Kveik yeast in Love Me Anyway adds a unique character that’s becoming increasingly popular in modern sour brewing. Kveik, a traditional Norwegian yeast, is known for its high fermentation temperature tolerance and its ability to produce fruity, estery flavours that complement the apricot. Coupled with Lactobacillus, a bacteria responsible for sourness, this combination enhances the beer’s refreshing tartness without overpowering the delicate fruit notes.
Pairing Suggestions: This beer’s bright acidity and juicy apricot flavours make it an excellent match for light and fresh dishes. Try it with a goat cheese salad, where the tanginess of the cheese pairs perfectly with the sour and fruity notes. It also complements seafood, particularly grilled scallops or prawns, where the subtle sweetness of the fruit enhances the natural flavours of the shellfish. For dessert, consider pairing it with a lemon meringue pie or a fruit sorbet, where the beer’s crispness and fruitiness create a refreshing contrast to the sweetness.
Pilot ~ Philly Cherry Sour 5.0% Sour VG
Pilot’s Philly Cherry Sour offers a delightful dive into the world of sour beers, specifically the Philly sour style. This beer is packed with the juicy, tart goodness of morello cherries, making every sip a sweet and tangy experience. The vibrant cherry notes are complemented by a soft, pleasant sourness, with just a touch of funk from the fermentation process. The beer’s body is light and refreshing, with a gentle carbonation that enhances its spritziness. The use of wild fermentation in the Philly sour style gives it a slightly unique, fruity, and tart flavour profile that sets it apart from other fruit sours.
Interesting Fact: The Philly sour strain used in this beer is a hybrid wild yeast that not only ferments the beer but also produces lactic acid during fermentation, creating a natural sourness. This yeast is unique to the Philly sour style, providing a distinctively juicy, tart character with a smooth mouthfeel. The addition of morello cherries further intensifies the sour fruitiness, making it an ideal representation of the style.
Pairing Suggestions: The bright and juicy cherry flavours of this sour beer are perfect for pairing with charcuterie, especially with salty meats like prosciutto or salami, where the tartness of the beer cuts through the richness. It’s also fantastic with rich, creamy cheeses like brie or camembert, which contrast nicely with the beer’s sharpness. For dessert, this cherry sour would be great alongside a cherry clafoutis or a dark chocolate tart, where the beer’s acidity enhances the fruity and rich flavours of the dessert.
Vault City ~ Love Hurts 4.2% Strawberry Sherbet Session Sour VG
Vault City’s Love Hurts is a nostalgic, sherbet-inspired strawberry sour that brings all the tangy, fruity goodness of summer in a glass. This session sour, at a moderate 4.2% ABV, delivers a mouth-puckering combination of juicy Scottish strawberries and zesty citrus fruits. The sherbet-like tang adds a layer of effervescent sweetness, giving it a playful, candy-like quality. The mixed fermentation base contributes a subtle funk that rounds out the sharp fruit flavours with a clean, refreshing finish.
Interesting Fact: The beer’s inspiration comes from classic sherbet sweets, with Vault City’s team expertly capturing the tart, fizzy sensation of sherbet powder in liquid form. The use of Scottish strawberries ensures the beer has a rich, fruity character that adds depth to the sharpness of the citrus. This combination of fruit-forward flavours with a tangy sour base creates an irresistibly fun drinking experience.
Pairing Suggestions: The tangy and fruity nature of Love Hurts makes it a perfect match for sweet, fruit-based desserts. Pair it with a strawberry shortcake or a fresh fruit tart, where the beer’s acidity and sherbet tang enhance the sweetness of the fruit. For something savoury, try it with a goat cheese and strawberry salad, where the beer’s tartness balances the creaminess of the cheese and the sweetness of the strawberries. It would also work wonderfully with a light, citrusy ceviche, where the beer’s refreshing qualities complement the bright flavours of the seafood.
71 Brewing ~ Mr Blue Sky 5.5% Blueberry Sour VG
Mr Blue Sky from 71 Brewing is a vibrant and tangy fruited sour that showcases the juicy brightness of rescued blueberries. The beer’s slightly hazy appearance is matched by a refreshing tartness, with the blueberries providing a deep, fruity base that plays beautifully against the tangy sourness. The sharp acidity is tempered by the natural sweetness of the blueberries, creating a balanced and easy-drinking beer. The addition of sea salt enhances the refreshing qualities of the beer, while a subtle hint of bitterness lingers on the finish, adding a layer of complexity to the clean and crisp flavour profile.
Interesting Fact: Mr Blue Sky is brewed with 216kg of rescued blueberries, sourced as part of a partnership with Transition Dundee, a local charity supporting food waste initiatives. By using surplus fruit that would otherwise go to waste, 71 Brewing is not only creating a delicious beer but also contributing to environmental sustainability. A portion of the proceeds from each sale is donated to the charity, making this beer both a great choice for the palate and a positive contribution to the community.
Pairing Suggestions: The bright, fruity flavours of Mr Blue Sky are a natural match for light, refreshing dishes. Try it with a fresh summer salad featuring mixed greens, goat cheese, and roasted beets, where the beer’s acidity complements the earthy sweetness of the beets and the tanginess of the goat cheese. For dessert, pair it with a lemon and blueberry cheesecake or a berry sorbet, where the blueberry notes in the beer enhance the fruitiness of the dessert. It also works well with seafood, particularly grilled fish or sushi, where the beer’s refreshing qualities enhance the delicate flavours of the seafood.
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Cloudwater ~ Interstella Jazz 5.0% Pale Ale
Cloudwater's Interstella Jazz is a brilliantly refreshing pale ale that shines a spotlight on two of the brewery's favourite hops: Motueka and Nelson Sauvin. Pouring a hazy golden yellow with a fine, white head, the beer invites you in with a juicy aroma of citrus, lime zest, and a touch of tropical fruit. The first sip delivers a well-balanced burst of grapefruit, passionfruit, and a subtle hint of lime, making for a crisp and refreshing experience. The body is light but full of flavour, with the hops playing the starring role throughout, providing a distinct, juicy profile without overwhelming the palate.
Interesting Fact: Cloudwater has chosen to use Motueka and Nelson Sauvin hops, which are often seen in higher-ABV beers like TIPAs and DIPAs. These hops are known for their juicy, tropical fruit character—Motueka offering lime and citrus notes, and Nelson Sauvin delivering white wine-like flavours with hints of gooseberry and passionfruit. Despite being brewed at a lower ABV, Interstella Jazz captures the essence of these hops beautifully, offering a juicy, hop-forward experience in a more sessionable format.
Pairing Suggestions: Interstella Jazz’s bright, citrusy profile makes it an excellent match for light and flavourful foods. Pair it with a fresh seafood dish like grilled prawns with lime and coriander, where the zesty lime in the beer complements the citrusy flavours of the dish. It’s also fantastic with a goat cheese salad, as the tangy cheese and herbs enhance the beer’s refreshing qualities. For dessert, try it with a citrus sorbet or a lime tart, where the tartness of the beer highlights the zesty sweetness of the dessert.
North ~ Open Plan Living 3.8% Session IPA
North’s Open Plan Living is a crisp and breezy session IPA that offers an approachable yet vibrant drinking experience. This 3.8% beer pours a pale, slightly hazy yellow, with a bright white head that quickly dissipates. On the nose, the hops offer an inviting bouquet of citrus, with notes of grapefruit and orange zest. The first sip reveals a light but flavourful body, with zesty citrus fruit dominating the palate, accompanied by a smooth bitterness that carries through to a clean, crisp finish. The Motueka and Citra hops work in harmony, creating a refreshing beer that’s perfect for long, laid-back sessions.
Interesting Fact: Open Plan Living is brewed with Motueka and Citra hops, two varieties known for their citrus-forward character. Motueka imparts lime and tropical fruit notes, while Citra adds layers of grapefruit, lime, and a touch of tropical fruit, creating a refreshing and sessionable beer. The relatively low ABV makes it a perfect choice for a refreshing, easy-drinking IPA that doesn’t compromise on flavour.
Pairing Suggestions: Open Plan Living’s crisp, citrusy character makes it an ideal companion for light, fresh dishes. Pair it with a seafood ceviche or grilled fish tacos, where the citrus in the beer will complement the tanginess of the dish. It also pairs well with a fresh vegetable salad, especially one featuring avocado or herbs, where the beer’s refreshing quality enhances the natural flavours. For dessert, consider pairing it with a lemon meringue pie or a fruit salad, where the citrus notes in the beer elevate the sweetness of the fruit.
Overtone ~ Swally 5.0% Pale Ale
Overtone’s Swally is a pale ale that captures the spirit of good times shared with friends. A fan favourite, Swally is packed with a bold yet balanced hop profile, featuring Amarillo Lupomax, Simcoe, and Mosaic hops in both incognito and cryo forms. The beer pours a hazy amber, topped with a creamy white head, and the aroma is a pleasant mix of citrus, pine, and tropical fruit. On the palate, the beer is juicy and full of flavour, with vibrant notes of grapefruit, pineapple, and orange, all balanced by a subtle bitterness and a smooth, malty backbone. The finish is clean, making it a beer that’s easy to enjoy with friends.
Interesting Fact: Swally’s hop blend features Amarillo Lupomax, a highly concentrated hop form, which helps intensify the beer’s citrus and tropical fruit aromas. By using both incognito and cryo forms of Mosaic hops, Overtone is able to enhance the hop profile, intensifying the fruit flavours while reducing the bitterness. This results in a well-rounded, flavourful pale ale that showcases the brewery’s ability to balance boldness with approachability.
Pairing Suggestions: Swally’s balanced hop profile and juicy flavours make it a versatile pairing for a wide range of dishes. Try it with a spicy chicken tikka masala, where the beer’s fruitiness helps balance the heat and spices. It also pairs well with grilled meats like pork or chicken, where the beer’s citrus and pine notes complement the smoky flavours. For dessert, Swally is great with a fruit-forward dessert, such as a mango sorbet or a citrus pound cake, where the beer’s tropical fruit flavours enhance the sweetness of the dish.
Duration ~ Board Games 3.4% Session Pale Ale
Duration’s Board Games is a session pale ale designed for those cozy, relaxed nights spent with friends. At just 3.4% ABV, this beer offers a light and easy-drinking experience with a surprising depth of flavour. It pours a pale golden colour with a crisp, white head, and the nose is filled with the scent of fresh grapefruit, pine, and a touch of honey sweetness. On the palate, the beer is light but full of character, with bright grapefruit notes, subtle pine, and a sweet malt base that provides a nice counterpoint to the crisp finish. The Citra hops shine through, providing a burst of zesty fruit that makes this beer incredibly refreshing.
Interesting Fact: Board Games is brewed with Citra hops, known for their bright citrus and tropical fruit character. The addition of honey gives the beer a subtle sweetness that complements the bitterness of the hops, creating a balanced and refreshing session beer. The low ABV and refreshing flavour profile make it an ideal beer for extended drinking sessions, perfect for enjoying during relaxed evenings with friends.
Pairing Suggestions: Board Games pairs wonderfully with light and fresh dishes. Try it with a chicken and avocado salad, where the beer’s citrus notes complement the creamy avocado and fresh greens. It also works well with grilled white fish or shrimp, where the crisp, refreshing nature of the beer enhances the delicate flavours of the seafood. For dessert, enjoy it with a citrus sorbet or a lemon cake, where the bright grapefruit flavours in the beer elevate the freshness of the fruit.