8 sours to savour this summer

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sours_728x300px_1Sour beer is a beer which has an intentionally acidic, tart or sour taste. The most common sour beer styles are Belgian: lambics, gueuze and Flanders red ale. Max Allen, journalist at Gourmet Traveller, pointed out the new adoption of sour beers by breweries. He wrote that, “Many of this country’s growing band of top craft brewers have dabbled at the sour and wild end of the beer flavour spectrum over the last couple of years, releasing one-off brews to huge acclaim. One of the leading producers, Feral Brewing in Western Australia, has even dedicated a whole brewery – its original Swan Valley operation – to the production of sour and fruit ales, following the success of its Watermelon Warhead.”
Ashailer, journalist at Beer & Brewer, wrote that, “With their acidity and often high carbonation, sour beer styles are brilliant palate cleansers.”
These are 8 sour beers that were featured in the Beer & Brewer by Ashailer:
(1) Bacchus Frambozenbier
Brewed in West Flanders, Belgium, this frambozenbier, or raspberry beer, is crafted using Bacchus Oud Bruin, which sets it apart from most raspberry beers that are based on lambic or geuze. The standout characteristic is its balance between sweet and sour, with aromas of sweet raspberries, malt and earthy yeast. Bacchus Frambozenbier is mild and slightly sour with hints of balsamic vinegar. The roast malt contributes a slight touch of caramel and the finish is dominated by sweet raspberries and a mild sourness. Black Forest cake best matches this beer. Alcohol by Volume (ABV) is 5%. The Recommended Retail Price (RRP) is $11 per bottle (375ml). For more information please visit Vanhonsebrouck.be
(2) Rodenbach Grand Cru
This Belgian brew is a blend of one-third young beer and two-thirds beer aged for two years in large oak vats. The result is a complex beer, with the longer proportion of oak matured beer contributing to its intense fruity, vinous long aftertaste. An incredible beer, which has a finish worthy of a great wine. Fresh seafood platters best match this beer. Alcohol by Volume (ABV) is 6%. The Recommended Retail Price (RRP) is $8 per bottle (330 ml). For more information please visit Rodenbach.be
(3) Boon Oude Geuze Black Label
A truly incredible beer, which picked up the Gold Medal in the Belgian-Style Sour Ale category at the 2016 World Beer Cup. Boon Oude Geuze Black Label is a dry beer, which presents fresh aromas of farmhouse yeasts (think horse blanket and farmyard) that lead to flavours of grain, citrus and sour apple. An outstanding dry lambic, which will appeal to all the true funk-loving sour fans out there. Cheeseboard of stinky blue, aged Brie and a sharp cheddar best suits the Boon. Alcohol by Volume (ABV) is 6.4% while the Recommended Retail Price (RRP) is $32 per bottle (750 ml). For more information please visit Boon.be
(4) Two Metre Tall Cleansing Ale
Crafted using only Tasmanian-grown ingredients, Two Metre Tall Cleansing Ale is clean, crisp, aromatic and flavoursome. After three to four months in the bottle, the ale will take on a lovely, light, fresh citrus acidity, which will keep it fresh, bright and ‘cleansing’ through many more months of ageing. The food match is a spread of Tasmanian oysters, abalone and scallops. Alcohol by Volume (ABV) is 4.9% while Recommended Retail Price (RRP) is $9.50 per bottle (375 ml). For more information please visit 2mt.com.au
(5) 8 Wired Palate Trip Sour IPA
Brewed for GABS 2016, 8 Wired Palate Trip Sour IPA hits you in the face with its sour fruity freshness. Grapefruit, lime, and orange flavours abound, intertwined with hop bitterness and some citric sourness. A refreshing beer that’s very moreish and perfect for sour beer lovers. Singapore chilli crab goes well with this. Alcohol by Volume (ABV) is 6.5% while Recommended Retail Price (RRP) is $8 per bottle (330 ml). For more information please visit 8wired.co.nz
(6) Almanac Tropical Platypus
A really interesting sour packed full of tropical fruit flavours. This sour blonde ale is aged in used wine barrels and oak foeders and has additions of tropical fruits such as kiwi, mango, lime and passionfruit. The inclusion of aromatic Galaxy hops from Australia means this beer is a tropical explosion. Pavlova would best match this beer. Alcohol by Volume (ABV) is 6% while Recommended Retail Price (RRP) is $23 per bottle (375 ml). For more information please visit Almanacbeer.com
(7) Boatrocker Miss Pinky
Miss Pinky is Boatrocker’s take on a Berliner weisse, a classic European beer style from the north of Germany. Using more than 250kg of fresh Victorian raspberries in the brew, it’s not surprising there are beautiful raspberry aromas and flavours up front with a dry and tart finish. A beer that doesn’t sacrifice flavour or body for the sake of its low alcohol content, this is the perfect beer for summer. Summer fruits or even pork belly if you’re feeling adventurous is a must-try dish along with this beer. It has 3% of Alcohol by Volume (ABV) while the Recommended Retail Price (RRP) is $5 per bottle (330 ml). For more information please visit Boatrocker.com.au
(8) White Rabbit RED
White Rabbit is letting nature take its course in defining this beer with spontaneous, wild fermentation taking place in oak barrels over an extended period of time to add an extra depth of flavour. A portion of this barrel aged beer is then blended with a fresh young beer to bring harmony and diversity to the palate. The play on sweet, sour and bitter creates a vibrant experience, accentuated by tart cherry and red wine like complexities. Blue cheese or a peppery salami is a perfect side-dish. Alcohol by Volume (ABV) is 4.9% while the Recommended Retail Price (RRP) is $25 per bottle (750 ml). For more information please visit Whiterabbitbeer.com.au
These are some of the suggestions from Beer & Brewer but a report recently showed that there were 20 more new sour themed beers discovered in 2016 in the United States alone. It’s believed that there are more undiscovered new beers in the world; Australia is no exception. Hence, you will never go dry looking for a new beer to tickle your taste buds.
Happy tasting!

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