Signature Brew ~ Summer In The City 4.8% Strawberry, Raspberry & Watermelon Sour
Signature Brew's Summer In The City is a vibrant sour that embodies the essence of a summer fruit punch. At 4.8% ABV, this beer is both thirst-quenching and invigorating, boasting a dynamic blend of strawberry, raspberry, and watermelon. Each sip delivers a fruity explosion of tartness that is beautifully balanced by the beer's slight sweetness. The texture is light and effervescent, providing a refreshing mouthfeel that complements its bold fruit flavours. The finish is crisp and clean, leaving a lingering taste of ripe berries and watermelon.
Interesting Fact: The combination of strawberry, raspberry, and watermelon in this sour is not just about flavour but also about creating a visual and sensory experience reminiscent of a summer day. This fruit trio is known for its high vitamin content and hydrating properties, making it a perfect choice for a beer designed to keep you cool and refreshed.
Pairing Suggestions: This sour beer pairs wonderfully with light, fresh dishes. Try it with a summer salad featuring strawberries and feta cheese, or a watermelon and mint salsa served with grilled chicken. The fruity tang of the beer complements the sweetness and acidity of the salad, while the refreshing qualities of the beer enhance the flavours of the salsa.
Brick ~ Raspberry & Basil Sour 3.3% Fruited Sour
Brick's Raspberry & Basil Sour is an intriguing twist on the fruited sour style. With a moderate ABV of 3.3%, it offers a delicate balance of sweet, tangy raspberries and the aromatic, herbal notes of basil. The initial burst of raspberry juice is both bright and vibrant, quickly followed by the basil’s grassy, minty undertones. This combination creates a complex, multi-layered flavour profile that is both refreshing and unique.
Interesting Fact: Basil, a herb traditionally used in Italian cuisine, provides an unexpected yet delightful contrast to the tartness of raspberries. The herb's inclusion in brewing is relatively rare but adds a sophisticated depth of flavour that enhances the overall sour profile. This beer exemplifies how combining unconventional ingredients can lead to innovative and delightful beer experiences.
Pairing Suggestions: The herbal basil notes of this sour pair well with dishes that feature similar herbal elements. Consider enjoying it alongside a goat cheese and basil salad or a light, fresh pasta with pesto. The tangy raspberry flavour will complement the creaminess of the goat cheese, while the basil will echo the herbal notes in the pasta dish.
Yonder ~ Strawberry Shortcake 3.0% Pastry Sour
Strawberry Shortcake from Yonder is a decadent pastry sour that brings the essence of a classic dessert into a beer glass. At 3.0% ABV, this brew is light but full of flavour, with a creamy oat milk base that adds a smooth, dessert-like quality. Infused with vibrant strawberry puree and a touch of vanilla, it delivers the rich, sweet flavours of a strawberry shortcake. The beer’s low ABV ensures it remains refreshing despite its dessert-inspired profile.
Interesting Fact: This beer cleverly uses oat milk to replicate the creamy texture of a pastry, while the strawberry puree and vanilla work together to mimic the flavours of strawberry shortcake. The use of oat milk in brewing is a relatively new trend, reflecting a growing interest in alternative ingredients that can add unique textures and flavours to beers.
Pairing Suggestions: To complement this pastry sour, pair it with a dessert such as a strawberry tart or vanilla ice cream. The sweetness of the beer enhances the dessert flavours, while the creamy mouthfeel of the oat milk complements the richness of the treats. For a savoury option, try it with a light, fruit-forward cheese plate featuring soft cheeses and fresh berries.
Vault City ~ Lemon Drizzleberry Cupcake 4.8% Blackberry & Lemon Drizzle Pastry Sour
Vault City's Lemon Drizzleberry Cupcake is a delightful pastry sour that balances tartness with a creamy, sweet finish. This 4.8% ABV beer features a mix of Scottish blackberries and zesty lemon, layered with vanilla and lactose to create a cupcake-like experience. The result is a creamy mouthfeel with a tangy citrus edge, reminiscent of freshly baked lemon cupcakes topped with berries and sweet vanilla icing.
Interesting Fact: The incorporation of lactose into this sour not only adds sweetness but also contributes to a richer, creamier texture that mirrors the mouthfeel of a cupcake. This technique highlights how brewers are increasingly using adjuncts to create more complex and dessert-like flavours in sour beers.
Pairing Suggestions: This beer pairs perfectly with light, sweet desserts like lemon bars or blackberry crumble. The tart and creamy elements of the beer will complement the tanginess of lemon desserts and the sweetness of berry dishes. For a more savoury pairing, consider enjoying it with a mild, creamy cheese like brie or a light, fresh salad with citrus vinaigrette.
Full Circle ~ Pinky Promise 4.5% Peach & Raspberry Sour
Pinky Promise from Full Circle delivers a nostalgic punch of peach and raspberry flavours in a 4.5% ABV sour. With 400kg of fresh peaches and raspberries, this beer captures the essence of summer in every sip. The balance between the sweet peach and the tangy raspberry creates a refreshing and satisfying beer that evokes memories of frozen treats and sunny days.
Interesting Fact: The combination of peach and raspberry in this sour not only provides a delightful mix of flavours but also highlights the versatility of fruit in brewing. The use of large quantities of fresh fruit ensures that the beer retains a vibrant and authentic fruit character, making it a standout example of the fruit sour style.
Pairing Suggestions: This beer is ideal for pairing with summer fare, such as grilled peaches or a fresh raspberry and peach salad. The fruity flavours of the beer will enhance the sweetness of the dishes, while the tangy finish provides a refreshing counterpoint. For a unique combination, try it with a peach and berry tart, where the beer's sweetness complements the dessert's flavours.
Siren Craft Brew x Alien: Romulus ~ Something In The Water 6.0% Red Berry Sour
The Something In The Water collaboration between Siren Craft Brew and Alien: Romulus is a 6.0% ABV red berry sour that bursts with cherries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries. This limited-edition sour is a tribute to the film Alien: Romulus, offering a deliciously fruity and tangy experience that feels both special and refreshing.
Interesting Fact: The extensive use of multiple red berries in this sour not only enhances its complexity but also pays homage to the rich tradition of fruit-forward sours. The blend of berries contributes a diverse range of flavours, from tart cherries to sweet strawberries, showcasing how different fruits can interact to create a harmonious and vibrant beer.
Pairing Suggestions: This berry-forward sour pairs wonderfully with desserts such as berry pavlova or a mixed berry sorbet. The tartness and sweetness of the beer will complement the fruity flavours of the desserts. For a more savoury option, consider pairing it with a goat cheese salad topped with fresh berries, where the tangy beer enhances the cheese's creaminess.
New Bristol x Fierce ~ Peach Melba Frozen Yoghurt Sour 4.0%
The Peach Melba Frozen Yoghurt Sour is a collaborative creation from New Bristol and Fierce, presenting a juicy and refreshing session sour with a 4.0% ABV. This beer captures the essence of peach melba through the use of peach puree, raspberry puree, and Madagascan vanilla, creating a frozen yoghurt-inspired sour that is both creamy and tangy.
Interesting Fact: The inclusion of Madagascan vanilla in this sour adds a layer of depth and sweetness that mimics the creamy texture of frozen yoghurt. This approach demonstrates how brewers are creatively using traditional dessert elements to enhance the flavour profile of their beers, creating a delightful fusion of tastes and textures.
Pairing Suggestions: This beer pairs excellently with summer desserts like peach melba or a raspberry and peach fool. The creamy and fruity elements of the beer will complement the desserts' flavours, while the tangy finish provides a refreshing contrast. For a more savoury option, try it with a light, citrusy salad or a mild cheese platter featuring fresh fruits.
Gweilo ~ Key Lime Pie 3.4% Session Sour
Gweilo's Key Lime Pie is a session sour with a 3.4% ABV that transforms the classic dessert into a refreshing beer. The combination of barley, oats, and wheat forms a biscuit base, while tart lime and creamy sour cream flavours provide a sharp yet sweet profile that evokes the essence of a key lime pie.
Interesting Fact: The use of barley, oats, and wheat in this sour to create a biscuit-like base is a clever nod to the crust of a key lime pie. This method of brewing highlights how brewers can use different grains to replicate familiar dessert textures and flavours in a beer, resulting in a unique and satisfying experience.
Pairing Suggestions: This beer pairs beautifully with a slice of actual key lime pie or a tangy lime cheesecake. The beer’s tart lime and creamy finish will enhance the dessert's flavours. For a savoury alternative, consider pairing it with seafood dishes such as ceviche or a lime-marinated grilled fish, where the beer’s acidity complements the freshness of the seafood.