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A Starter’s Guide To Sour Beers 7 Options To Sample The Brewing Craze

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Table of Contents

  1. What is Sour Beer?
  2. 8 Types of Sour Beer
  3. What Makes Sour Beer Sour?
  4. History of Sour Beer
  5. Sour Beer and Food Pairings

What is Sour Beer?

Sour beer is a unique type of beer that has a tart and acidic taste. It is made by intentionally introducing bacteria and wild yeast strains during the brewing process. This creates a distinct flavor that is different from traditional beer styles.

Sour beer can be traced back to ancient times when beer was brewed using open fermenters. This allowed wild yeast to enter the beer, resulting in a sour taste. Today, brewers have learned to control the souring process and create a wide range of sour beer styles.

8 Types of Sour Beer

1. Berliner Weisse – This German style of sour beer is light and refreshing, with a tart and lemony flavor. It is often served with a flavored syrup, such as raspberry or woodruff.

2. Gose – Another German style of sour beer, gose is brewed with coriander and salt, giving it a slightly salty taste. It has a sour and citrusy flavor, with a hint of spice.

3. Lambic – This Belgian style of sour beer is brewed with wild yeast and bacteria, and aged in oak barrels for up to three years. It has a complex flavor profile, with a sour and fruity taste.

4. Flanders Red Ale – This Belgian style of sour beer is aged for up to two years, giving it a deep red color and a sour and fruity taste. It has a sweet and sour flavor, with notes of cherry and oak.

5. American Wild Ale – This American style of sour beer is brewed with a variety of yeast strains and bacteria, giving it a complex and tart flavor. It can be aged in oak barrels or fermented with fruit to add additional flavors.

6. Oud Bruin – This Belgian style of sour beer is aged for up to two years, giving it a deep brown color and a sour and malty taste. It has a sweet and sour flavor, with notes of caramel and chocolate.

7. Gueuze – This Belgian style of sour beer is a blend of young and old lambic beers. It has a complex flavor profile, with a sour and fruity taste, and a dry finish.

8. Sour Stout – This American style of sour beer is brewed with roasted malts, giving it a dark color and a sour and chocolatey taste. It has a complex flavor profile, with notes of coffee and dark fruit.

What Makes Sour Beer Sour?

The sourness in sour beer comes from the presence of lactic acid and acetic acid. Lactic acid is produced by bacteria called lactobacillus, while acetic acid is produced by bacteria called acetobacter. These bacteria are intentionally introduced during the brewing process to create the sour taste.

The type and amount of bacteria used can also affect the sourness of the beer. Some sour beers are aged in oak barrels, which can also contribute to the sour taste.

History of Sour Beer

Sour beer has a long and storied history, dating back to ancient times. In fact, some historians believe that sour beer was the first type of beer ever brewed.

In the Middle Ages, when beer was brewed in monasteries, sour beer was a common style. Monks would brew beer in open fermenters, allowing wild yeast and bacteria to enter the beer and create a sour taste. This was known as a spontaneous fermentation.

Today, sour beer is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, with many craft breweries producing their own unique styles of sour beer.

Sour Beer and Food Pairings

Sour beer is a versatile beer style that pairs well with a variety of foods. Its tart and acidic taste can complement rich and fatty foods, cutting through their richness and refreshing the palate.

Some popular food pairings for sour beer include:

  • Seafood, such as oysters and crab
  • Cheese, such as goat cheese and blue cheese
  • Charcuterie, such as prosciutto and salami
  • Fruit, such as berries and citrus

Overall, sour beer is a unique and flavorful beer style that is worth exploring. With its tart and acidic taste, it pairs well with a variety of foods and is perfect for those looking for something different from traditional beer styles.

Conclusion

Sour beer is a unique and flavorful beer style that has a long and storied history. With its tart and acidic taste, it is perfect for those looking for something different from traditional beer styles. From Berliner Weisse to Sour Stout, there are a wide variety of sour beer styles to explore.

So next time you're looking for a beer with a little extra bite, give sour beer a try!


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