Sour Smoothie - Tangerine Hibiscus
Hi-Wire Brewing

Taking a page out of the ice cream shop's playbook, Hi-Wire takes their sour ale to the softer, smoother and fruitier side. Layered with hibiscus and tangerine, and their sour smoothie of a beer is a more tart version of a creamsicle.

With a pour of cloudy golden orange, Sour Smoothie, the Tangerine Hibiscus version floats an eggshell tinted froth that stands tall against the rim. As a pass of the nose reveals the promised citrus, cream, floral and sweet grain scents with an undercurrent of fresh bread and pastry. Its tantalizing first sip is chocked full of candied orange, citrus tarte and a light cereal sweetness from its malt standpoint.

And as the ale washes the middle palate, its sweetness rapidly lifts and the sourness starts to highlight the tangerine. With a bold sense of all-things-orange, the tangy fruit is met with a soothing balance of vanilla, cream and the lightness of marshmallow. Trending sour, sharp and refreshing, the beer finishes with a sour balance instead of that from hop bitterness.

Medium bodied for sour ale, the lactose and vanilla has the beer celebrating a fuller texture than usual without sacrificing drinkability or refreshment. Perhaps a little thin in the finish, the beer's closure is laced with sourdough, burlap and orange peels with a linger of citrus and flowery herb.