Sour is the new bitter: The rise of Sour beer

From someone who thought raspberries belonged only in yogurt and cakes

A title we didn't borrow from a brewery, but one that could just as easily have appeared on a chalkboard in a trendy taproom. Sour beer is the sourest child of the craft brewery. Hot, but also ice cold. Expect fruity explosions, sparkling acidity, and a taste that fluctuates between lemonade, white wine, and that first lemon drop you'll never forget. No beer pairs better with sunny patios, overflowing picnic baskets, or anything as crisp as linen.

Why? Read on below. With fermentation, yeast, ginger, and a fair amount of flavor confusion.

Sour beer: fresh, funky and absolutely contemporary

Sour beer isn't a modern trend, but a style with history and character. Lambic and Kriek were already being brewed in Belgium when Pilsner was still considered innovative in the rest of Europe. Today, this classic gets a fresh twist with flavors like mango, cinnamon, blackcurrant, and passion fruit. Anything goes, as long as it's sour and surprising.

The magic lies in the microbe: Lactobacillus, for example, or Brettanomyces. What sounds like a forgotten Roman general is actually a wild yeast that sends your taste buds on a wild journey. And all of this results in a crisp, fruity, and tangy beer that doesn't cost the earth.

Small story, big comeback

Sour beer didn't just happen. In Belgium, brewers simply let their wort (unfermented beer) sit in open vats so that wild yeast could thrive. That would be risky today, but back then, people simply brewed with nature.

Later, more adventurous brewers actively pursued this concept: They added raspberries, some wood-aged complexity, and fruits typically found in smoothies... and voilà: the modern sour beer was born. With or without alcohol.

The first time is… surprising

The first sip of a sour is rarely love at first sight. It's more like: Huh? And then: What is this? And then: Another sip. Because somehow it does something to you. Your tongue dances. Your mind hesitates. You taste lemon, vinegar, peach, and suddenly: Wow. This is good.

It's like espresso, sushi or techno: at first you don't understand it, then you can't live without it.

Alcohol-free? Then the sourness comes into its own.

Acidity gives non-alcoholic beer character. It provides freshness, excitement, and a constantly evolving flavor.

Whether citrus, pineapple, ginger, or raspberry: acidity wakes up your mouth. And before you know it, the glass is empty again.

What do you drink with it?

Sour beer is like a culinary chameleon: It loves to dance with food, preferably in surprising combinations. Don't overthink it. Consider: What would you squeeze a lime on, or what would you serve with a refreshing dressing?

Some ideas:

• Goat cheese or soft Brie pair wonderfully with a slightly tart raspberry or berry sour. The creaminess of the cheese and the crisp acidity of the beer complement each other better than any romantic comedy.

• Spicy dishes like Thai curry or ceviche? Sour beer softens the spiciness like a lime when enjoyed. Especially with a hint of ginger or citrus in the glass.

• Something sweet like cheesecake, apple pie, or even vanilla ice cream? That's where the sour note really comes into its own – the contrast is crucial. A sour with peach or cinnamon? Yes, sir!

And sometimes... just nothing. Just the beer, cold, in a nice glass. On the balcony. In the sun. And someone next to you asks: "What are you drinking now?!"

Who is this mad at?

For the curious. For anyone who already enjoys a good glass of wine, a refreshing pilsner, or a robust IPA – and simply wants to try something different. For anyone who isn't afraid of a little adventure in the glass. Or simply: for anyone who wants to rediscover their taste buds.

Sour is the new pleasure

Sour beer isn't the easiest beer to make, but it's the most surprising! It's a beer that inspires reflection, tasting, wonder, and laughter. It's creative and a little different. Non-alcoholic sours don't even cause a hangover.

So the next time someone asks you, "What would you like to drink?", don't say, "Just a beer." Say, "Give me something crazy. Something sour. Something... different."

And who knows, maybe you'll be the first to frown and then grin.

Cheers! With spout 🍋

Frown at the first sip, smile at the last!