Things have gone sour at Green Leaf Brewing and they’re pretty excited about it.
During a recent visit to the North Shore craft brewery with the most fan-friendly location – staring out at Burrard Inlet from Lonsdale Quay – a pair of sours were proudly featured.
The Lamb of God Sour Stout was an intriguing curiosity, pouring thick like a cup of espresso and boasting an aroma that starts with a whiff of whiskey barrel before turning sour. It’s a unique brew, a little rough around the edges but worth a try.
The star of the show, however, was the Raspberry Sour. Packaged in a cool stubby bottle sourced from Quebec, you know it’s a “fancy beer” because its top is sealed in wax. Cracking it open, the beer’s most distinct trait is its colour – it pours a deep red, nearly matching the shade of a perfectly ripe raspberry.
Taking a pull instigates an interesting assault to the senses – the nose smells beer but the tongue tastes something that seems a close cousin to juice. There’s sourness there but pleasantly so – no need to break out a pucker face. And it is very berry.
This may not be the choice for purists who don’t want any dang fruit in their beer, but for the adventurous this is an easy-to-drink sour that goes down smooth.
Dessert would seem an obvious pairing, or perhaps even as an eye-opening side order to waffles and bacon. Brunch beer, anyone?
It’s available at beer stores around the Lower Mainland at a fancy beer price that pushes past $8 for 330 millilitres. If your interest is piqued but the price sounds too steep, you can always stop by the brewery for a sample.
At least you’ll have a nice view, and if you like it they’ll sell you a bottle for a little less than you’ll pay in the store.
