Boxing Rock Brewing Co. / Gahan House Brewery Over The Top! Sour / Wild Ale at 4% ABV (C$6.13 at NLC Stavanger, 650 ml, packaged on 24-Jul-2017, acquired 25-Nov-2017, reviewed 30-Nov-2017)
Appearance: slightly hazy deep gold with three fingers and growing of fluffy white head, excellent retention and heavy clingy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: citrus, wheat, lactic sour, pine, floral, cranberry. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate tart, low bitter. (8/10) Palate: light body, effervescent carbonation, dry tart finish. (4/5)
Surprisingly good head development and retention are the first hints that this ain’t your typical kettle sour. The next is the aroma, where, yes, you get the typical sharp tang of lactobacillus, but balanced quite well alongside hop and wheat character, as well as an authentic cranberry undertone. Sweetness and tartness are both restrained on the tongue, coming across as neither cloying nor aggressively puckering, finishing clean and refreshing. You could do a lot worse for an accompaniment to your next turkey and cranberry feast. (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
