Sour Smoothie - Very Berry
Hi-Wire Brewing

 

Operating with the fruits of raspberry, blackberry and blueberry, Hi-Wire Brewing is also operating with the customer's summertime needs of sour ale, bacteria and the balance of lactose and vanilla. You could say that they are smoothie operators.

Their berry riddled Very Berry version of Sour Smoothie opens with a deep mauve, violet stained depth of haze and also topped with a slightly clumpy hazy. The strong slushy scent of those dark berries ride above a pastry scent and underlying sourness. Slightly sweeter to start, the taste of cream candy, taffy and fruit tarte start to buffer the palate from the fruit and sourness to come.

A lessening of sweetness and a growing of tartness occurs on the middle palate. All the while, those raspberries, blackberries and blueberries bring a robust fruitiness to the tastebuds in stark contrast to the lemon, lime, green apple, white grape and gooseberry flavors of its built-in sourness. Tangy, tart and teetering on sourness, the late palate is sharp and lightly wine-like tannic while offering hint of musky burlap.

Medium bodied overall but fuller for sour ale, the kettle soured ale doesn't fit any other sour style, while finishing briskly sour, juicy and remiss of red wine. A medium short aftertaste of peppery fruit peels continue to balance with vanilla and cream with a curious hint of flintstone vitamin.