Squeeze Play (Black Currant)
Left Field Brewery

 

355 mL can from Superstore; dated Jul 3 2019, listed at 4.8% and served well chilled.

Pours a dark, translucent purplish-red colour, with one finger of foamy, lavender-tinged head dissolving in sixty seconds. A modest collar does remain, encircling an island of bubbly film; no lace to speak of, but man do I love that colour. Notes of blackcurrant and grape juice come through on the nose, as do a few hints of lemony tartness, floral hops and mustiness.

Tasty stuff, and quite tart: the lemony, lacto sourness is right there at the forefront, but sweeter, berry-like flavours of black currant and grape do become much more noticeable towards the middle of the sip. Hints of wine vinegar and yogurt at the finish, with tart lemon and currant lingering into the aftertaste briefly before fading. Light-ish in body, with moderately low carbonation levels that provide a good bite; smooth, juice-like texture - I found this extremely drinkable for a sour, and wouldn't have minded another serving.

Final Grade: 3.98, a B+. Squeeze Play Black Currant Sour delivers exactly what it advertises - that is to say, sourness and black currant fruitiness. While it's definitely a good sour that I'd recommend to others, it's also rather lacking in complexity, which prevents it from reaching the next level. I think I'd take Left Field's Bang Bang over this one, but either sour would make for a great light, tart, late summer tipple.