Sour Ale – The Sour Side of Craft Beer

Sour Ale — the sour side of craft beer

Sour beer is the style that most quickly turns skeptics into fans. The first reaction is usually surprise - "Beer can be sour?" - followed by a second sip, a third, and an order to take home. Sour ale is a broad category that encompasses dozens of sub-styles, united by one thing: controlled acidity, which replaces bitterness as the main flavor accent and opens the door to a completely different beer experience.

Berliner Weisse — the Berlin classic

Berliner Weisse is light (usually 3-5%), refreshing and with a lively, lactic acidity. The historical style from Berlin is elegant and minimalist, but modern craft versions often add fruits - passion fruit, raspberries, mango, blackcurrant - creating beers that are both sour and fruit-flavored. The perfect summer style, dangerously easy to drink.

Gose — salty, sour and refreshing

Gose was born in Goslar, Germany, and is characterized by two ingredients unexpected for beer - salt and coriander. The combination of light acidity, mineral saltiness and delicate spiciness creates a uniquely refreshing profile. Modern craft interpretations add fruits, spices and even chili - making Gose one of the most versatile sour styles.

Fruited Sour and Catharina Sour — the fruit explosion

Fruited sour is perhaps the most accessible entry into the world of sour beers — an abundant amount of fruit puree added to a sour base, for beers that are bright, juicy and taste more like a smoothie than a classic beer. Catharina sour is the Brazilian contribution to the category — a light, fruity sour beer that is gaining popularity worldwide.

Pastry Sour and Smoothie Sour — the dessert extreme

At the extreme end of the spectrum are pastry sour and smoothie sour beers — dense, rich, with a liquid dessert texture. Here, fruits are combined with lactose, vanilla, marshmallow, yogurt, or ice cream for beers that blur the line between drink and dessert. Not for everyone — but those who love them, love them passionately.

Classic Sour Ales

Beyond modern styles, the category also includes more traditional sour ales – beers with controlled acidity from Lactobacillus or Brettanomyces bacteria, without fruit additives, with a drier, earthy, and complex character. These beers are closer to tradition and offer a more restrained, but no less interesting, sour experience.

Why sour ale from 100 Beers?

Sour beers are one of the most dynamic categories in our store — new styles, new fruit combinations, and new breweries are constantly appearing. In our collection, you will find sour beers from Bulgarian, Polish, Estonian, Finnish, Romanian, Latvian, and other European breweries — from light and refreshing Goses to rich smoothie sour varieties. If you haven't yet discovered the sour side of craft — prepare for a surprise.

Also check out our other style collections: Fruit Beer • Lambic & Wild Ale • Low Alcohol • Wheat Ale