Sand & Tide
Eight & Sand Beer Co.

 

The request for a pint from a tap was fulfilled. It came in a clear glass. The brew is yellow-orange, opaque, without a head and with little obvious carbonation. These aren't necessarily demerits for the style. It smells like a lemon zested cleaning agent. Again, not a demerit for the style. Now, this is a sour. It isn't just tart, although some of that character is also present, the way many sours are. This is nothing short of excellent. It excells in the most important categories of its style. It tastes cleanly sour and lightly sweet and tart. The mouthfeel is refreshingly light and smooth. Lemon is the most obvious component, but this isn't lemonade, it's a sour beer. Absent to the eyes, there is just the right amount of carbonation. Of course, there's no glass lacing, but who cares?