Barrel Series - Lock, Stock In A Sour Barrel
Royal City Brewing Co.

Bomber picked up at the brewery earlier this month; served well-chilled. According to the neck tag, this sour was produced from their Stock Ale; the result of 6 months' age in Chardonnay barrels (sourced from Tawse Vineyards).

An aggressive pour reveals this soured ale's hazy golden-yellow complexion, as well as its inability to produce much of a head at all. A soapy froth about a half-cm high is produced, but quickly fades, leaving behind little more than a bubbly film on the surface. Light vinegar/acetic funkiness on the nose, with suggestions of vinous white grapes, green apple, oak and doughy pale malt sweetness; just a touch of grassy hops and vanilla, too.

Surprisingly approachable for a sour beer - the acidity is extremely well-integrated. Grainy, doughy pale malts and some slight honey sweetness provide a stable background presence, countered swiftly with notes of green apple skin and Chardonnay grapes. Buttery oak follows soon after, with subtle notes of lemon rind, vanilla and some funky vinegar flavour that lasts briefly into the aftertaste, which quickly neutralizes. Light in body, with restrained carbonation levels that weakly agitate the tongue. Quite refreshing; I found myself plowing through this 650 mL bottle a lot quicker than I usually tackle soured beers.

Final Grade: 4.00, a well-deserved A-. Royal City's Lock, Stock in a Sour Barrel may be mild by wild ale standards, but it's still a beautifully balanced soured ale that I am genuinely enjoying, and one of their best releases to date. An excellent introductory sour ale - the base stock ale is straightforward and clean, and the contributions from the wine barrel are sturdy without being overbearing. At $7 per bomber, the price is actually quite reasonable, as well. Not being an expert in this style of beer, I find this to be a highly agreeable soured ale that even newcomers should be able to appreciate to an extent.