Sour Beer
Sour has an intentionally acidic, tart or sour taste. The most common sour beer styles are Belgian: lambics, gueuze and Flanders red ale.
At one time, all beers were sour to some degree. As pure yeast cultures were not available, the starter used from one batch to another usually contained some wild yeast and bacteria. Unlike modern brewing, which is done in a sterile environment to guard against the intrusion of wild yeast, sour beers are made by intentionally allowing wild yeast strains or bacteria into the brew. Traditionally, Belgian brewers allowed wild yeast to enter the brew naturally through the barrels or during the cooling of the wort in a Koelschip open to the outside air – an unpredictable process that many modern brewers avoid.
The most common agents used to intentionally sour beer are Lactobacillus, Brettanomyces and Pediococcus. Another method for achieving a tart flavor is adding fruit during the aging process to spur a secondary fermentation or contribute microbes present on the fruit's skin.
Because of the uncertainty involved in using wild yeast, the sour beer brewing process is extremely unpredictable. The beer takes months to ferment and can take years to mature.
-
Boatrocker Brewers & Distillersfrom $5.99
Berliner Weisse style ale brewed with two strains of Lactobacillus using traditional German kettle fermentation, and then a special ale yeast for s...
View full detailsfrom $5.99Sale -
8 Wired Brewing Co.from $10.50
Our Hippy Berliner was such a success that we ebbed to consumer demand and brewed a special edition with the addition of cooling cucumber. Bursting...
View full detailsfrom $10.50Sale -
Stone & Wood$12.50
Unapologetically strong and dripping with raspberry aromas and flavours from a secondary lactobacillus fermentation and maturation, this Imperial v...
View full details$12.50Sold out -
Sailors Gravefrom $7.50
Super refreshing Berliner Weisse, brewed with Blood Plums from Picnic Point Farm and dry hopped with Amarillo, El Dorado & Cascade. Creamy, tar...
View full detailsfrom $7.50Sold out -
Green Beaconfrom $5.50
Sour cherry and raspberry puree are added during fermentation in this kettle soured tart ale, giving it a beautiful red hue. Red berry flavour with...
View full detailsfrom $5.50Sold out -
Yulli's Brewsfrom $5.99
Dolly Aldrin is Yulli's take on a traditional German style sour wheat ale, where low alcohol, tartness, and fruit combine to create the ultimate su...
View full detailsfrom $5.99Sold out -
Wayward Brewing CoNo reviewsfrom $5.99
This ridiculously refreshing beer (formerly known as Sourpuss) is our take on the classic Berliner Weisse style. Bursting with bright raspberry fla...
View full detailsfrom $5.99Sold out -
Deep Creek Brewing Co.$8.99
A Berliner Weisse that's full of Kiwi summer fruit - nectarines, peaches and apricots. Expect layers of sweet fruit and a lovely tart finish. Brewe...
View full details$8.99Sold out -
Deep Creek Brewing Co.$8.99
A release from our Tiki Range of fruit cocktail inspired sours, this guava passionfruit sour style (Berliner Weisse) is made with 100% fruit pulp, ...
View full details$8.99Sold out -
Stone Brewing (Arrogant Consortia)$48.99
Have guitar, will travel. Check. Have mash paddle, will travel. Check. Have invitation to Berlin to brew, will travel. Hell yeah. Cue our friend To...
View full details$48.99Sold out -
Boatrocker Brewers & Distillers$24.99
Back in 2015, we did just one barrel of Sternweisse. Due to popular demand, it's back! So, what is it? It's a double barrel aged Brett Berliner wei...
View full details$24.99Sold out -
The Bruery$34.99
Welcome to Frucht, our land of fruited Berliner Weisse-style beers. Known for a tart flavor profile and traditionally low ABV, our German-style whe...
View full details$34.99Sold out