This beer from Funky Fluid is really what the brewery is best known for, and the reason I wanted to introduce them into our wholesale portfolio.
Smoothie sours (also called pastry sours) are a relatively new beer style, credited as coming into being around 2015 thanks to the innovation of US brewers. It is generally agreed that this beer style evolved from simple kettle sours like Gose and Berliner Weisse, though they are considered to be more a hybrid of the Florida Weisse style with the fad that was milkshake IPA’s.
They are characterised by lots of fruit (which generally lends itself to the wonderful colours these beers have), lactose to really thicken the body up, a very gentle sourness and then any amount of other adjuncts but most commonly things like vanilla, maple syrup, marshmallow, and more that typically adds to the sweetness.
This Gelato Ice Cream Sour is made from LOTS of fresh blueberries, with lactose, vanilla and marshmallow. As the purple liquid pours from the can you can see the smoothie aspect to this beer. The taste is sweet, fruity and dessert-like. The blueberries come through straight away, with the sweetness of the vanilla and marshmallow.
Thankfully, the real fruit used gives a tartness to the beer that balances out some of the sweet, though I really wouldn’t say there is much sourness in the flavour. They are interesting beers, clever constructions that do make them more gimmick than beer, but they are a fun addition to the range and a great beer to share with people.
