Superb Sours

Everything you need to know about sour beers and the best craft sour beers to try now

Words by beer expert Geoff Griggs

Why would you drink sour beer? Fair question, but don’t just dismiss these increasingly popular, tangy, fruity and often funky-tasting beers.

The acidity present in sour beer is usually in the form of lactic, acetic and other organic acids naturally developed with acidified malt in the mash, or produced during fermentation by the use of various microorganisms.

The sour flavour may derive from pure cultured forms of souring agents (as in the case of famous German wheat beer styles, Berliner weisse and gose) or from the influence of barrel ageing (such as Belgian lambic beers and Flanders-style red and brown ales). Goses and Berliner weisses are very pale in colour, and may be cloudy as they are often unfiltered. Both pair well with goat’s cheeses, salads and most shellfish.

There are many delicious sour beers out there, here are three of our favourites right now...

Sour Beers To Try

sour beer, beer, New Zealand beer, gose, lambic, weisse, Mac's, Mac's Sour Puss

Mac’s Sour Puss (Flavoured Gose)

Based on the East German gose style, Mac’s Sour Puss owes its pink hue to the addition of blueberries. Vanilla biscuit and tangy blueberry notes are enhanced by an appropriate hint of saltiness, and the beer finishes crisp and very clean. Common to this style, bitterness is absent and it’s very food friendly. RRP$16.99, 4 pack 330ml at Liquorland

sour beer, beer, New Zealand beer, gose, lambic, weisse, 8 Wired, 8 Wired Hippy Berliner

8 Wired Hippy Berliner (Hopped-up Berliner Weisse)

Inspired by Berliner weisse ales, Hippy Berliner pours a pale straw colour with little head. Hopped with American and New Zealand varieties, it offers fruity notes and a vanilla-like, creaminess from the wheat. Naturally soured by lactic cultures, the beer is lightly tart with a yoghurty note. It finishes crisply. RRP$22.99, 6 pack 330ml at Liquorland

LIQUORLAND PICK

sour beer, beer, New Zealand beer, gose, lambic, weisse, Deep Creek, Deep Creek Lagerita

Deep Creek Lagerita Lime Sour

Combining the classic notes of a margarita and lager, this crisp, dry sour oozes refreshment. Traditionally kettle-soured with additions of coriander seed, salt and crushed dehydrated lime, this sour has layers of citrus mingling with hops in super tangy harmony. RRP$3.99, 330ml at selected Liquorland stores

Toast