AGAINST THE CURRANT ~ WELLINGTON 

“Against the Currant” is a Kettle sour with local Ontario black currants. It was made in collaboration with “Escarpment Laboratories,” with whom Wellington shares their facilities with; they provide many local brewers with a local yeast source. Kettle souring uses lactobacillus to lower the pH of the beer in the kettle, which produces lactic acid. When the desired sourness is achieved, the kettle is then boiled to kill remaining lactobacillus. Sampled on draught the beer poured a moderately clear slightly pinkish colour with a thin white head, which receded quickly. The nose contains black currants and some grassiness and grains. The beer was sour without being puckering. The currants give it a little sweetness but don’t impede on the tartness – a few notes of lemon are also apparent. The carbonation was moderate-soft and the body was light. I really enjoyed this, I found it very refreshing, and the tart and sweet were well balanced. This summer has been super hot with heat warnings for weeks on end, this one hits the spot.

5.5 % from Guelph, Ontario

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