Straight Sour Beer

Recipes:
47
BJCP 2021:
28D
Fermentation:
Top
Color:
Pale

Profile

Straight Sour Beer is a style that emphasizes the tart and tangy sensory experience derived from deliberate souring techniques. It does not fit neatly into the traditional, historical European sour styles like Lambic or Flanders Red but rather represents a newer approach, often seen in American craft brewing, where the brewers harness specific strains of bacteria and sometimes wild yeasts to produce acidity without necessarily adhering to regional or historical guidelines.

The hallmark of this style is its flavor and aroma profile where lactic acid-generated tartness prevails, providing a clean and refreshing sour character that should dominate but not completely overshadow other flavors. A pleasingly sour nose accompanies this tanginess with hints of fruitiness and funkiness potentially present depending on fermentation specifics. Hop character is usually low in both bitterness and aroma, allowing the sharpness of the beer to lead. The malt tends to play a supporting role with subdued sweetness that might peek through the sour veil but remains far from prominent. When considering its place among other beer styles, Straight Sour Beers provide an accessible gateway for those curious about sour beer traditions without delving into more complex styles like Gueuze or aged sours with heavier funk characteristics driven by specific regional microflora.

Specifications

Alcohol

Specification
4.5 – 7.0 %

In Database
3.8 < 4.5 < 6.1 %

Bitterness

Specification
3 – 8 IBU

In Database
4 < 7 < 10 IBU

Color

Specification
4 – 6 EBC
2 – 3 SRM

In Database
5 < 6 < 7 EBC
2 < 3 < 3 SRM

Original Extract

Specification
11.9 – 15.8 °P
1.048 – 1.065 OG

In Database
8.8 < 10.0 < 13.2 °P
1.035 < 1.040 < 1.054 OG

Final Gravity

Specification
1.5 – 3.3 °P
1.006 – 1.013 FG

In Database
0.9 < 1.5 < 2.8 °P
1.003 < 1.006 < 1.011 FG

Popularity Over Time

Most Used Yeasts

Most Used Hops

Dosage of Hops

Hop Pairings

Brewing Recipes