SOUR BEERS ARE THE FRESH NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

Pessimists observing the surge in demand for craft beer have been waiting for the fall from the beginning. “It won’t last,” they decry.
However, in reality, far from souring on craft beer, brewers and consumers alike are simply looking for new twists in order to continue to keep the category fresh.

The latest trend is not so fresh and yet acceptably so! Sour beers, some so sharp that they will cause lips to draw together, are the new growth area in more of a boundary shove than a push on the definition of what beer should be.

Trying to establish a reason for the surge in demand for sour beer brings observations of a universal appeal, with female drinkers gravitating towards the style just as men, a finding of obvious interest to operatores. Whilst mainstream brands are often seen as a masculine ballgame (think ‘king of beers’ or male surfers handing out lad advice), craft breweries tend to be more approachable and styles like sour beer are particularly appearing as they offer a sophistication and palate level that’s more than just an alcohol top up.

At Dunns Food and Drinks, two new additions to the craft beer portfolio will help to capitalise on the growing trend. Under our exclusive agreement with the beer importer Euroboozer, we are pleased to bring to Scotland both Rodenbach Grand Cru and Rodenbach Caractere Rouge by the Belgian brewer Palm.

Weighing in at 6%, Rodenbach Grand Cru is an exceptional Belgian brew known as “the Flemish Red-Brown beer”. A mixed fermentation beer, Grand Cru is matured in oak vats, giving it a sweet-sour taste and an intense bouquet with a very long aftertaste (much like a Grand Cru wine). Easily digestible, Grand Cru is a blend of “young” beer (one-third) and beer that has matured for over two years (two-thirds).

The arrival of Rodenbach Grand Cru is a real coup, but Rodenbach Caractère Rouge (ABV 7%) will have beer lovers foaming at the mouth, fully deserving of the perfect 100 score it holds on ratebeer.com .
Developed in 2011 in collaboration with the top chef Viki Geunes (2 Michelin stars), this exclusive beer is created by adding an extra six months’ fermenting maceration with cherries, raspberries and cranberries to beer that has already undergone two years’ maturation in oak casks.
The results are exceptional. Vinous, with a very complex, fruity nose of raspberry and cherry combined with notes of wood and caramel. The undertone consists of an aroma of violets, leather and a hint of tobacco.

With its long, clean aftertaste and unique combination of delicacy and strength, Caractère Rouge is reminiscent of a crisp Burgundy wine. More than unique and extremely exclusive, only 900 75cl (750ml) bottles were produced so if ever there is a time to capitalise on the sour beer scene then it is now, before the beer disappears altogether.