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.
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8 Wired Brewing Co.$23.99
A sour ale brewed in the Belgian tradition. Aged in wine barrels, then refermented with pureed raspberries. Vibrant flavours of funk and fruit. Co...
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3 Ravens$28.99
This release features a variety rarely seen on its own, and shared with us by our mate JonJo at Cre Wines. We’ve used these same skins in the past,...
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La Sirene Brewingfrom $8.99
MAHOGANY is a Wild Ale aged in Sherry casks for 60 months under a layer of naturally-occurring Flor Yeast.Pouring a clear copper/mahogany colour (h...
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3 Ravens$24.99
Golden Sour with Yellow Gum Honey A blend of barrel-aged mixed culture farmhouse ales refermented on (and bottle conditioned with) a large quantity...
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3 Ravens$27.50
Invoking the traditions of Belgian brewing, our latest Wild Ravens release was brewed in the spirit of Flemish Red Ales. Our brewers very care...
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Wildflower Brewing & Blending$31.99
Distinctly Perceived is a blend of two ferments of our Gold aged individually on Chardonnay pomace from Canobolas-Smith Winery in Orange, NSW and V...
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Wildflower Brewing & Blending$27.99
A sparkling Australian Wild Ale made with organic malted schooner barley (AU), organic black patent malt(AU), organic raw sugar(AU) and Pride of Ri...
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Wildflower Brewing & Blending$29.99
A balanced six barrel blend with good oak elements... spicy and creamy, very vinous. Toasty, mandarin marmalade and honeyed aromas. The palate is v...
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Wildflower Brewing & Blending$29.99
Amber is a well cellared, rounded, malt-accentuated Australian wild ale. Our traditional recipe calls for an extended boil which caramelises rustic...
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3 Ravens$22.99
Barrel aged raw mixed-culture beer.Aroma: Plum, prune, panforte, coffee, spiced figFlavour: Nutty, fruity, chocolate, molasses, cherry, herbalMouth...
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Bridge Road Brewers$32.99
Mayday Hills is our barrel and farmhouse beer project. These beers are fermented or aged in wooden foeders or barrels and reflect our local townshi...
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Black Arts Brewers And Blenders$29.99
Our Golden Wild is an oak-aged Australian farmhouse ale. This beer is remarkably wine-like. It's full-bodied and tart, with layers of red fruits, v...
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Black Arts Brewers And Blenders$29.99
Our Golden Wild is an oak-aged Australian farmhouse ale. This beer is remarkably wine-like. It's dry, funky and tart, with layers of lime, coconut,...
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Black Arts Brewers And Blenders$10.99
A blend of barrel-aged golden wild ale and young dry-hopped saison, aged on raspberries and cherries. A harmonious blend of young and old beer that...
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Black Arts Brewers And Blendersfrom $8.99
A blend of barrel-aged golden wild ale and young dry-hopped saison. A harmonious blend of young and old beer that bridges the gap between kettle so...
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High Water Brewing$18.99
Part of the Calambic series, Central Valley Breakfast Sour is aged in used wine barrels for one year with the finest fruit from the Central Valley ...
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Wildflower Brewing & Blending$36.99
St Abigail is an Australian Wild Ale made with peaches. It is named for Chris and Emily’s second daughter. Saint Abigail was a medieval healer and ...
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Wildflower Brewing & Blending$32.99
A collaboration with our friends, and honey superstars Tim and Emma from Malfory's Gold honey, Hive: Post Brood is a barrel aged golden Australian ...
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Wildflower Brewing & Blending$36.99
St Walter is an Australian Wild Ale refermented with red wine grapes. It is named for Topher and his wife Bernadette's first son and the Saint Walt...
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