Care Bear Stare
Ethereal Brewing

 

 

As the summer of sour continues, another northern German-style sour ale rolls out of the Ethereal doors. But this time, its historical laurels are not lost on experimentation, intrigue or the American brewer's ingenuity. Its bright and tangy taste is sprinkles with an accessory fruity, tangy and bright character of citrus to push the sour ale along a little more than usual.

Grapefruit, lemon and a pep of under ripened orange tease the nose with a smack of sourness that wets the whistle and tightens the jaws by its scent alone. A light and musty perfume wafts above the pale and hazy golden beer and its short statured froth. Candied and supple in sweetness, initial taste impressions are of saltwater taffy, sourdough and hard sour candy sweetness.

But the sweetness trails off on the middle palate and the brunt of sourness brings a bold and tart taste that already houses a lime, green apple, gooseberry and white grape character. But its additional layers of citrus bring their own grapefruit and orange character that pulls the lemon and lime character of the beer ahead decidedly. A clean lactic sourness tightens its grip on the finish as the beer relies on acidity for most of its balance but borrows a prod of bitterness from citrus to allow for a slight American ale character.

Medium light in body, the ale toes the line between the level of sourness that separates berlinerweiss from gose. Its moderately high sourness carries a briny salinity and just enough of a pungent burlap-like earthiness to suggest something of the margarita ilk. A brief aftertaste of sourdough, hay and a brisk after palate of the sea echo mildly to close the session.