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.
-
Sirenfrom $6.50
A tropical and citrussy hop scent complements the crisp, spritzy, and mouth-puckering experience of Calypso. It's tidy, energising, and always make...
View full detailsfrom $6.50Sold out -
The Gipsy Hill Brewing Co.$12.99
Part of our ongoing monthly Fruited Sour release, Jim our head brewer decided to make one of his famous Cocktail recipes into a big Sour. It's brew...
View full details$12.99Sold out -
London Beer Factoryfrom $6.50
Born on the winter solstice in December and re-brewed around the summer solstice, this classic Berliner Weisse coincides with two solar phenomenons...
View full detailsfrom $6.50Sold out -
Wander Beyond Brewing$16.99
Imperial Anura is an Imperial Blueberry Berliner Weisse re-fermented on 300g/l of blueberries. This deep, dark, purple beer is ripe and bursting wi...
View full details$16.99Sold out -
North Brewing Co$14.99
Originally brewed as part of 2019’s Rainbow Project with California’s Fieldwork Brewing, it was our take on the colour Orange. Golden Milk is a 6% ...
View full details$14.99Sold out -
Siren Craft Brew$10.99
Here's a sour beer that's on point all the time. This supremely refreshing gose flows in layers of vibrant papaya, zesty lime and sharp, salty fres...
View full details$10.99Sold out -
The Gipsy Hill Brewing Co.$12.99
Outdoorsman is a Triple Fruited Sour A classic Gipsy Hill sour base beer, with lashings of blueberry and just a hint of banana thrown in. It’s bal...
View full details$12.99Sold out -
North Brewing Co$12.50
Back in 2016 we had the pleasure of brewing a collaboration with Lervig. Together we brewed North’s first Kettle Sour (3.2%), learning much and bei...
View full details$12.50Sold out -
Cloudwater Brew Co.$14.50
The idea for this Cherry Cola Sour evolved from our original plan to create a more straightforward Cherry Sour, as our brew team were keen to build...
View full details$14.50Sold out -
Chorlton$27.99
Opened in early 2015, Chorlton Brewing Co. is a Manchester brewery that specialises in sour beer production. Their early releases are showing fanta...
View full details$27.99Sold out -
Chorlton$27.99
Opened in early 2015, Chorlton Brewing Co. is a Manchester brewery that specialises in sour beer production. Their early releases are showing fanta...
View full details$27.99Sold out