Sour Beer

Sour beer is a unique beer type known for its tart and acidic taste that sets it apart from other styles. This refreshing and distinct sour flavor profile has gained popularity among beer enthusiasts who are looking for something new and different from their usual brews.

Sour beers have a broad range of tastes, from mildly tart to mouth-puckeringly sour, often incorporating just the right smack of fruity flavors that further enhance their appeal. Some can be a serious refreshment while others can be reminiscent of a dry white wine.

Sour Beer Features

Sour beers are a diverse group of brews with a wide range of alcohol content, bitterness, and color. Their unifying feature is the tart and acidic taste that makes them stand out.

Here are some key features of sours:

• Strength (ABV): wide range, depending on the style
• Bitterness (IBU): wide range, depending on the style
• Color: wide range, from pale to dark
• Taste: acidic and tart flavor, often with fruity notes. Sourness ranging from slightly sour to very sour.

Food Pairing with Sour Beer

Sour beers can make for delightful food pairings, as their acidity and tartness complement various flavors. Some popular pairings of sour ales include:

• Tangy cheeses, such as goat cheese or blue cheese
• Cured meats, like salami or prosciutto
• Seafood dishes, such as ceviche or sushi
• Fruit-based desserts or pastries (especially those made with stone fruit)
• Spicy dishes, like Thai or Mexican cuisine

Types of Sour Beer

Sour beers come in various styles, each with its distinct flavor profile and brewing techniques. Here are some popular types of sour beer, showcasing the diverse world of tart and acidic brews:

• American Wild Ale: This category includes various sour beers brewed in the United States using wild yeast strains and wild bacteria. American Wild Ales often incorporate local ingredients and can vary greatly in flavor, acidity, and appearance.
• Lambic: A traditional Belgian sour beer, Lambics are spontaneously fermented using wild yeast and bacteria found in the air. Lambic beer can be aged for years and often showcase complex, fruity, and funky flavors.
• Oud Bruin: Another Belgian-style sour beer, Oud Bruin (or Old Brown) is characterized by its darker color and a mild, sweet-and-sour flavor profile. It is typically aged for an extended period to develop its unique taste.
• Berliner Weisse: A light and refreshing German-style sour beer, Berliner Weisse has a low alcohol content and a mild tartness. It’s often served with flavored syrups, such as raspberry or woodruff, to balance the sourness.
• Gose: Originating in Germany, Gose is a slightly salty and tart wheat beer brewed with coriander and sea salt. This unique combination of flavors creates a refreshing and well-rounded sour beer.
• Flanders Red Ale: Hailing from the region of Belgium, Flanders Red Ales are aged in oak barrels or red wine barrels and known for their deep red color, complex fruity notes, and a sharp sourness reminiscent of red wine.

Sour Beer History and Origins

The history of sour beer dates back centuries, long before modern brewing techniques were developed. In fact, most beers made prior to the Industrial Revolution had some level of sourness due to spontaneous fermentation and the lack of proper sanitation.

The wild yeasts and bacteria present in the open environment played a significant role in the tart and acidic taste of the first sour beers.

The Evolution of Sour Beer

As brewing practices evolved, particularly in Europe, various regions began to develop their unique styles of sour beer. In Belgium, Lambics and Flanders Red Ales emerged, while Germany saw the creation of Berliner Weisse and Gose.

These regional styles were often influenced by the specific strains of wild yeast and bacteria present in the area, which contributed to their distinct flavors and characteristics.

With the rise of modern brewing techniques and the widespread use of carefully controlled fermentation, the production of sours became less common. However, within the past decade, there has been a resurgence of interest in these tart and acidic brews.

Sour Beer Today

Craft breweries around the world, particularly in the United States, have embraced the sour beer tradition and experimented with new styles and flavors, such as American Wild Ales.

Today, sour ales have a dedicated following among beer enthusiasts who appreciate their unique and complex flavor profiles. As more breweries continue to explore the art of sour ale brewing, these tart and refreshing brews will likely remain a popular choice.

Brewing Process

The brewing process of sour beers is quite distinct from that of traditional ales and lagers. The unique tart and acidic flavors are primarily achieved through the use of specific microorganisms, such as wild yeast (brettanomyces yeast) and lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus or Pediococcus), during fermentation. This process is what sets sours apart and creates their characteristic taste.

To begin, brewers create a wort, which is essentially unfermented beer. The wort is then introduced to a combination of wild yeasts (as opposed to cultured yeasts) and bacteria. These microorganisms work together to ferment the wort and create the desired sour flavor profile.

Once the primary fermentation is complete, sour beers are often secondarily fermented to develop more complex flavors and a higher level of acidity. This secondary fermentation can take place in various vessels, such as wooden vessels or stainless steel tanks. During this stage, the beer continues to ferment and mature, sometimes for more than a year!

The sour beer brewing process is a fascinating blend of art and science, as brewers carefully balance the use of wild yeast and bacteria to create the perfect tart and acidic flavor profile. This intricate process is a testament to the skill and dedication of the brewers who bring these unique and delicious brews to life.

Popular Sours

Some popular sours that showcase the diverse flavors and styles of this category include:

• Queen of Tarts from Karl Strauss Brewing Co.
• Le Petit Prince from Jester King Brewery
• Ching Ching from Bend
• SeaQuench Ale Session Sour Beer from Dogfish Head

Sour Beer vs. IPA

Comparing sour beers to IPAs (India Pale Ales) can help highlight the differences between these two popular beer styles. Both have gained a dedicated following among craft beer enthusiasts, but they have distinct characteristics that set them apart.

• Color: Sour beers can range widely in color from pale to dark, while IPAs are typically amber to copper in color.
• Flavor Profile: Sours are known for their tart and sour notes, while IPAs are characterized by their hoppy bitterness and strong floral or citrus notes.
• Brewing Ingredients: Sours utilize wild yeast and bacteria for fermentation, whereas IPAs rely on traditional brewing yeast and often feature a variety of hops for added flavor and aroma.
• Malt Character: Sour beers typically have a lighter malt profile, allowing the acidity to shine through, while IPAs often have a more pronounced malt backbone that balances the bitterness from the hops.

Sour Beer vs. Wheat Beer

Sour beer and a tart wheat ale are both refreshing and flavorful beers. Although you will definitely find the occasional tart wheat ale that borders on sourness, the two beer styles have quite a few unique qualities.

• Color: Sour beers have a wide range of colors, while wheat beers are typically hazy and pale yellow to golden in color.
• Flavor Profile: Sours are known for their tart and acidic taste, while wheat beers often have a mild, fruity, and slightly spicy flavor profile.
• Brewing Ingredients: Sour beers rely on wild yeast and bacteria for fermentation, while wheat beers use a high percentage of wheat malt along with traditional brewing yeast.
• Malt Character: Sours generally have a subtle malt character, while wheat beers showcase a more pronounced wheat malt flavor, which can be bready or grainy.

Sour Beer Festivals and Events

Sour beer enthusiasts can find a variety of festivals and events that celebrate and showcase these unique brews. Some popular sour beer events include:

• Upland Sour Wild Funk Fest (Indianapolis, IN)
• The Festival of Barrel-Aged Beers (Chicago, IL)
• Sour Beer Day (International event, celebrated annually in September)
• Sour Fest at Avery Brewing (Boulder, CO)
• Shelton Brothers Festival (Various locations)

Sour Beer FAQs