When the weather heats up, everyone is looking for something cool to drink. While lagers and IPAs can technically do the trick, sour beers bring a refreshing acidity with fun, fruity flavors that will have you puckering up all summer long.
Whether you’re completely new to sour beers or curious about all of the hype, we’re here to break down what makes them special and how you can embrace them this summer.
What is a Sour Beer?
Sour beers are brewed to have a tart, acidic or funky flavor profile. This is achieved through wild yeast strains, such as Brettanomyces, or bacteria like Lactobacillus and Pediococcus. These microorganisms ferment sugars in a way that differs from conventional beer yeasts.
In contrast to most beers that strive for a balance of malty sweetness and hop bitterness, sour beers offer a unique characteristic: a refreshing tartness reminiscent of lemonade or kombucha, rather than a typical ale.
Types of Sour Beers
- Lambic: Originating in Belgium, Lambic beers are spontaneously fermented and known for their intense sourness. To balance this acidity, brewers often incorporate fruit.
- Berliner Weisse: Originating in Northern Germany, Berliner Weisse is a dry and tangy, low-alcohol wheat beer with high carbonation, making it very refreshing. This style sometimes features Brettanomyces yeast, but often relies on lactic acid bacteria for its sourness.
- Gose (pronounced “go-suh”): Originating in Goslar, Germany, the gose beer style shares similarities with Berliner Weisse, including wheat malt and low alcohol content. However, Gose is distinguished by the addition of coriander and salt, while Berliner Weisse is typically unspiced.
Why are Sours Perfect for Summer?
With their refreshing acidity, sour beers are the ideal summer beverage. Many are low in alcohol, making them sessionable and perfect for long summer days. Sour beers also offer a wide variety of fruity flavors including raspberry, passionfruit, and blood orange, which pair well with warmer weather.
Getting Started with Sours
If you’re new to sour beers, start light with Berliner Weisse for a gentle introduction that won’t overwhelm your palate.
To get the most out of the experience, use the right glassware. A tulip or stemmed glass helps concentrate the aromas and enhance the flavor. And don’t chug! Sour beers are meant to be savored slowly, much like wine or cider.
What to Pair with Sours?
Sour beers are an adventurous drinking experience, which can be further enhanced by pairing them with complementary foods.
Here are few recommendations:
- Goat cheese & fruit salads
- Grilled shrimp with citrus glaze
- Mexican dishes
- Berry-based desserts (tarts, cheesecake)
So next time the temperature climbs, skip the predictable and reach for something with a little pucker — your taste buds will thank you!
Cheers!