January 2025: Sour Beer Box

January 2025: Sour Beer Box

Brick Hedgerow Sour – Hedgerow Sour (5.0%)

Brick’s Hedgerow Sour captures the vibrant, wild essence of a British hedgerow in its lively, tart profile. Pouring a hazy pinkish-red, it bursts with aromas of cranberry, blackberry, blackcurrant, and raspberry. The flavour follows suit, offering a complex interplay of bright acidity and rich berry sweetness, balanced by a dry finish. This beer is both refreshing and intriguing, celebrating the bounty of seasonal fruits.

Interesting Fact: Inspired by traditional foraging practices, this beer is a nod to Britain’s natural abundance. The inclusion of wild fruits ties it to the changing seasons and underscores the brewery’s dedication to local, sustainable ingredients.

Pairing Suggestions: Pair this sour with creamy goat cheese or a fresh spinach salad topped with berries and nuts. For dessert, a raspberry sorbet or blackberry crumble perfectly complements the beer’s tartness.

Otherworld Elysia – Juicy Sour (4.0%)

Elysia is a refreshing and unique juicy sour infused with lime, fresh ginger, and Chinese Mu Tan tea. The beer pours a golden hue with a subtle haze and offers enticing aromas of peach, lime zest, and a touch of herbal tea. On the palate, the lime and ginger provide a zingy brightness, while the tea lends a soft, tannic complexity. Citra hops add a vibrant citrus tang that enhances the beer’s lively character.

Interesting Fact: The use of Mu Tan tea in brewing is a rare and innovative touch, bringing delicate floral and fruity notes to the beer. This ingredient showcases Otherworld’s creative approach to blending global flavours with classic sour styles.

Pairing Suggestions: Enjoy this beer with Thai green curry or sushi rolls with fresh ginger. Its citrusy profile also pairs wonderfully with a peach cobbler or lime-infused cheesecake.

Howling Hops Fruit Session No. 3 – Raspberry, Kiwi, Lemon Sour (4.0%)

Light, refreshing, and perfectly balanced, Fruit Session No. 3 combines raspberry, kiwi, and a splash of lemon to create a subtly tart yet fruity sour. The aroma is bright and inviting, with notes of fresh berries and tropical fruit. The flavour is a seamless blend of sweet raspberries, tangy kiwi, and a zesty lemon finish, all carried by a light, effervescent body.

Interesting Fact: This is the third instalment in Howling Hops’ Fruit Session series, each showcasing unique fruit combinations. The use of kiwi—an uncommon brewing ingredient—adds an exotic twist that sets this beer apart.

Pairing Suggestions: Pair this sour with a fresh fruit salad or a soft brie cheese. For dessert, a lemon tart or raspberry mousse echoes the beer’s vibrant flavours.

Vault City Teacake Sour – Modern Sour (5.0%)

A playful homage to a beloved Scottish treat, Teacake Sour combines marshmallow sweetness, creamy milk chocolate, rich biscuit, and juicy strawberries for a dessert-inspired delight. This beer pours a light brown with a slight haze, offering aromas of chocolate and jam. The flavour is an indulgent mix of soft sweetness and tart berry brightness, balanced by a smooth, biscuity finish.

Interesting Fact: Vault City’s Teacake Sour celebrates the nostalgic flavours of Scotland’s iconic tea-time snack while pushing the boundaries of what a sour beer can be. It’s a testament to the brewery’s experimental spirit.

Pairing Suggestions: Enjoy this beer with a chocolate-dipped shortbread or a strawberry cheesecake. For a savoury pairing, try it with creamy blue cheese to contrast the beer’s sweetness.

Hammerton Kiwi Vs – Kiwi & Pineapple Gose (4.6%)

Kiwi Vs is a tropical escape in a glass, blending kiwi and pineapple into a lightly tart Gose with a zippy citrus edge. The beer pours a pale gold with a frothy white head and offers aromas of tropical fruit and a hint of sea salt. The flavour is a harmonious balance of juicy kiwi, sweet pineapple, and a refreshing salty tang, making it an invigorating choice for any occasion.

Interesting Fact: The addition of Himalayan pink salt highlights the gose’s traditional style while enhancing the beer’s tropical fruit profile. This ingredient reflects Hammerton’s knack for innovation within classic styles.

Pairing Suggestions: Pair this Gose with grilled shrimp tacos or a tropical fruit salsa. For dessert, a pineapple upside-down cake or kiwi sorbet complements the beer’s fruity, salty character.

Vibrant Forest How Berry Dare You – Fruits of the Forest Gose (5.5%)

How Berry Dare You is bursting with forest fruit flavours, including blackberry, redcurrant, and cherries, backed by notes of raspberry and a refreshing salty finish. This deep red Gose is as vibrant as its name suggests, with a tart, fruity aroma and a balanced, tangy-sweet palate. The addition of spelt and oats enhances its smooth mouthfeel.

Interesting Fact: Originally a collaboration with Brew York, this beer highlights the creativity of two brewing teams coming together to celebrate seasonal ingredients and bold flavours.

Pairing Suggestions: Pair this Gose with a beet and goat cheese salad or roasted duck with a berry glaze. For dessert, a cherry clafoutis or blackberry pie complements its rich fruit character.

Brew York Picante – Chilli, Lime & Agave Gose (3.4%)

Picante is a bold fusion of craft beer and cocktails, inspired by the spicy margarita. This Gose combines tangy lime, a gentle kick of chili heat, and sweet agave for a crisp, refreshing experience. Aromas of lime zest and earthy chili greet the nose, while the palate delivers a balance of citrus brightness, mild heat, and a subtle sweetness, all rounded out by a hint of Himalayan pink salt.

Interesting Fact: Brew York partnered with Pimentae Cocktails to craft this unique beer, blending the best of both worlds for an innovative take on the classic Gose style.

Pairing Suggestions: Enjoy this beer with spicy fish tacos or a mango salsa. For dessert, a lime sorbet or chili-infused chocolate pairs beautifully with its complex flavours.

Yonder Boozer – Sweet Shop Sour (4.0%)

Yonder’s Boozer is a fun and fruity sour inspired by classic sweet shop flavours. Blackcurrant and apple dominate the palate, creating a vibrant, candy-like profile with a tangy finish. The beer pours a bright ruby-red and offers aromas of fresh fruit and confectionery sweetness, balanced by a light, effervescent body.

Interesting Fact: Boozer’s playful design and flavour profile make it a hit with fans of unconventional sours, showcasing Yonder’s knack for turning nostalgia into innovative brewing.

Pairing Suggestions: Pair this sour with a sharp cheddar or apple crumble. For a lighter option, try it with a fresh fruit parfait to highlight its fruity sweetness.

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