Cowbell Kettle Sour
Wild Rose Brewery & Taproom

 

Cowbell is a very good introduction to the world of kettle sours. At least it was when Wild Rose still made it. They haven't made any new batches since like March.

For what it is, it is very approachable and not sickeningly sour. Taste is mild and predominantly grain and citrus fruit flavoured.

 

 

 

This was my first introduction to sour beer. I wasn't quite sure what to expect at first but was pleasantly surprised. Think of sour apple juice with some tangy lime notes, that's more or less what you're getting here... fairly light and refreshing (super fun bottle btw, loved the SNL references on the back)!

 

 

 

Look - golden color with a skim on top
Smell - sour apple juice
Taste - sour apple juice and kind of tart
Feel - medium light body and carbonation
Overall - pretty good

 

 

 

"What we need, is more cowbell!" I can see myself saying this several times this summer, because this is one refreshing beer. I am not a huge fan of sours, but this particular brew hits the mark, thanks to the lime and understated tart. I've been pondering a pint of this for a while, and I'm glad I finally took the plunge.

A mild sour that is enjoyable and easy to drink. There isn't a lot going on other than a tart finish. I can see buying it again if I'm looking for something a little different.

 

341ml bottle poured into tulip.

Pours a slightly hazy yellow gold with a thin cap of white head that leaves melting icicle lace as it recedes.

Smells of mildly salty crackers, sour citrus zest and mild leafy hops.

Tastes of more salty cracker malt, sour lime juice, soft white cheesy funk and more mild hops.

Feels light and fizzy. Light bodied with peppy carbonation. Finishes off-dry.

Verdict: Recommended. Really good thirst quencher.

 

 

I'll join the chorus that's saying they have no earthly idea what compelled Wild Rose to release this beer as a *winter* seasonal. But that shouldn't take away from how much I like it.

Pours a pasty apple juice yellow, not much head (mostly carbonation, recedes quickly). Lots of visible carbonation. Smells tart, slightly milky, slightly sweet, and with leafy lime citrus twang. Taste is much the same: fairly aggressive carbonation, it goes down slightly tart (like Sour Patch kids or Sour Skittles) and with a lime backbone, slightly salty, almost like a lager/lime Gatorade blend (but better than that combo sounds). Light body.

Very refreshing. Very crisp. This is what a lot of radlers want to be, I think. Or maybe what Bud Light Lime could be, if Bud Light Lime wasn't terrible. Hopefully Wild Rose comes to its senses and rotates this into spring/summer availability, because I would love to gulp these by the six-pack on a hot, sunny Calgary day.