SWAMP FLY ~ NORTHWINDS BREWERY

Swamp fly is a Sour Ale with Haskap Berries.  Produced using ‘kettle souring’ which is lowering the pH or the wort and adding lactobacillus culture to give sourness.  Haskap berries, which were grown by Oliver Farms in Meaford, Ontario were added for their sweet flavour.  Haskap berries are the Japanese name for Lonicera caerulea.    The berry is also know as ‘blue Honeysuckle,’ ‘Edible Honeysuckle,’ and ‘ Sweet berry Honeysuckle.  When translated from the Japanese it can be spelled: Hascap, Haskaap, or Hasukappu).

The beer pours a bright coppery pink, with reddish hues and a white head.  A fragrant berry sweetness reminding me of blackberry and raspberry make up the nose.  The taste is tart berries, with a very pleasant sourness (no where close to as sour as a Berliner) with a mild bready element.  

Malts: Pilsner, Carahell, Wheat, Acidulated
Hops: Perle
Yeast: American Ale
Other: Lacto-culture, Fresh Haskap Berries

4.7% from Collingwood, Ontario         IBU: 16