Sour Blonde
Hi-Wire Brewing

Bright clarity, golden tone, plenty of spotty lacing.
Big oaky aroma, honey, wood, pineappley Brett funk.
Taste is moderately tart with a pleasant oaky, fruity character.
Smooth, puckering tartness with a bone dry finish.
Quenching and oak forward, loved this one.
Thanks Wil!

Look: It pours a dark golden with a slightly off white head There is some lacing to it. It is fairly clear overall.

Smell: It has aromas of strong leather and barnyard. There is a distinctive vinous quality in the nose. There are faint fruit aromas as well.

Taste: It is highly tart with leather and vinous flavors being high. There are low fruit flavors and some pineapple as well.

Feel: It has a moderate feel to it and is highly tart with the pucker factor being very high. It has a moderately dry finish.

Overall, it's a bit too tart for me but the flavors work very well together and overall this is a very good sour.

Literally tastes like you're biting into a fresh pineapple. Incredible.

 

 

Let me just start by saying that this first official sour by Hi-Wire is really impressive. Originally I was highly reserved to the fact that they could produce a really great sour ale after having tried both their Gose and Pink Drink; after consuming this intoxicating, highly sessionable, sour beer I have gained a high hope for this brewery's ability to bolster the intoxicating effects of Lactobacillus. This beer produces a great cloudy appearance coupled with an awesome nose feel iconic to a sour blonde while at the same time accentuating an incredible sour feel without any of the mouth-puckering action. Ultimately, the overall accentuations of this beer are staggering considering the total deficit of the sour power which almost always leads to a staggered sipping action; at 7.65% ABV you are hardpressed to find a different sour beer that drinks like a 5% ABV German Pilsner.

 

Had on draft at the brewery and again at Tasty Beverage.

Look: More of a rich golden than "blonde," with a thin bubbly head that leaves no lacing.

Aroma: Rubber band aromas coming on at first. They aren't very prominent and make way for a slightly funky and citrusy smell.

Taste: Good at first, not too tart and fairly dry as well. The texture and flavor are both nice and full. The aftertaste is just like one of those nasty buttered popcorn jellybeans. Hopefully this will fade away in the bottled version.

Overall: Decent first sour from these guys, but need to kick the autolysis flavor and tame the diacetyl which may work itself out over time in the bottle. Interested in seeing where this new hometown sour program goes!