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.
Siren Craft Brew ~ Cherry Negroni Sour 4.0% Cocktail Inspired Sour VG
Siren Craft Brew’s Cherry Negroni Sour is a playful and sophisticated take on the classic cocktail. This beer combines the tartness of cherries with the herbal, slightly bitter notes of the iconic Negroni cocktail, making it a unique and enjoyable sour. The sweet cherries balance the tangy sour base, while the botanical notes bring complexity to the beer. A hint of orange zest lifts the entire flavour profile, creating a harmonious balance of fruitiness, bitterness, and tartness.
Interesting Fact: The Cherry Negroni Sour is inspired by the iconic Negroni cocktail, known for its mix of gin, vermouth rosso, and Campari. The beer’s cherry infusion captures the sweet, fruity elements of the drink, while the herbal notes and orange zest evoke the cocktail’s signature complexity. This beer is a creative homage to the classic drink, bringing its flavours to a new medium.
Pairing Suggestions: This cocktail-inspired sour pairs wonderfully with Mediterranean dishes, particularly those featuring olives, feta cheese, and roasted vegetables. The beer’s bitterness and botanical notes complement the savoury flavours of these dishes, while the cherry sweetness provides a refreshing contrast. For dessert, try it with a dark chocolate and orange tart or a rich, tangy citrus sorbet, where the beer’s citrus and cherry flavours accentuate the fruitiness of the dessert.
Lakes Brew ~ Cherry Berry Crumble 5.5% Fruited Sour
Lakes Brew’s Cherry Berry Crumble is a deliciously fruity sour that combines cherries, blackberries, and a touch of sweetness from lactose to create a balanced and indulgent beer. The fruit puree adds a deep, vibrant fruitiness that shines through in every sip, while the lactose adds a creamy sweetness that softens the tartness. The result is a smooth, dessert-like sour that’s as satisfying as a warm berry crumble fresh out of the oven. The tangy fruit is complemented by a subtle malt backbone, creating a beer that’s both refreshing and comforting.
Interesting Fact: The combination of cherry and blackberry purée in this fruited sour is a nod to classic fruit crumbles, where the sweet and tart berries blend together to create a deliciously balanced dessert. The addition of lactose not only adds sweetness but also contributes to the smooth, creamy mouthfeel that gives this beer its dessert-like character.
Pairing Suggestions: This fruited sour is a natural pairing for desserts, especially those featuring berries. Try it with a traditional fruit crumble or a blackberry and peach cobbler, where the beer’s tartness enhances the sweetness of the fruit. For a savoury option, pair it with a charcuterie board featuring soft cheeses and fresh fruits, where the beer’s acidity contrasts with the richness of the cheeses. It also works well with a savoury-sweet dish like glazed ham, where the beer’s fruity flavours complement the sweet glaze.
Overtone ~ Giant Peach 5.5% Ice Cream Sour
Overtone’s Giant Peach is a refreshing and indulgent ice cream-inspired sour that combines juicy peach purée with the smooth bitterness of Lotus hops. The result is a velvety, creamy beer that offers a unique twist on the traditional sour. The peach flavour is vibrant and juicy, while the hops add a subtle bitterness that balances the sweetness. The beer’s smooth, creamy texture gives it an ice cream-like quality, making it a delightful treat for sour beer lovers.
Interesting Fact: The beer is inspired by the song "Giant Peach" by Wolf Alice, and its combination of peach purée and hops creates a smooth, balanced beer that captures the song’s lively and adventurous spirit. The Lotus hops, known for their floral and citrus notes, complement the sweetness of the peach, adding depth to the beer’s flavour profile.
Pairing Suggestions: This ice cream sour pairs beautifully with summer desserts, especially those featuring peaches. Try it with a peach melba or a peach sorbet, where the beer’s peach flavour enhances the fruitiness of the dessert. It also works well with a light, citrusy cheesecake or a creamy panna cotta, where the beer’s smooth texture and refreshing flavours create a harmonious balance. For a savoury pairing, consider serving it with a grilled chicken salad with citrus dressing, where the beer’s fruity notes complement the light, fresh flavours of the salad.
Pressure Drop ~ Promenade 4.8% Triple Fruited Gose
Promenade is a fun and tangy triple-fruited Gose from Pressure Drop that combines yuzu, apricot, and vanilla with a touch of sea salt. The result is a beer bursting with layers of fruit flavours, complemented by a zesty, tangy finish. The sea salt adds a touch of savoury contrast, enhancing the fruity sweetness and balancing the sourness. The smooth milk sugar creates a creamy mouthfeel that softens the sharpness, making this a refreshing yet complex beer.
Interesting Fact: The use of yuzu, a Japanese citrus fruit, in this beer adds an exotic twist to the traditional Gose style. Yuzu is known for its tart, fragrant aroma and its ability to bring brightness and complexity to dishes and drinks. When combined with apricot, vanilla, and sea salt, it creates a unique and well-rounded flavour profile that stands out among other goses.
Pairing Suggestions: Promenade pairs well with seafood, particularly sushi or sashimi, where the beer’s acidity and sea salt complement the fresh, delicate flavours of the fish. It also works beautifully with dishes featuring citrus, such as a lemon and herb roasted chicken or a seafood ceviche, where the fruitiness of the beer enhances the flavours of the dish. For dessert, try it with a lemon meringue pie or a tangy citrus sorbet, where the beer’s bright fruit notes elevate the citrus flavours of the dessert.