A slushy style sour is a relatively new and innovative approach to brewing beer. It is a unique style that combines the characteristics of a sour beer with the refreshing and icy texture of a slushie. This style is gaining popularity among beer enthusiasts who are looking for something different and exciting.
The key element of a slushy style sour is its sourness. These beers are intentionally made to have a high level of acidity, giving them a sharp and tangy flavor profile. The sourness is achieved through a combination of yeast and bacteria strains, typically including lactobacillus and pediococcus. These microorganisms produce lactic acid during fermentation, resulting in the sour taste.
To create the slushy texture, brewers add a high salt or sugar content to the beer. In the case of slushy sours, the sugar comes from the fruit that is used during the brewing process. The fruit adds not only the necessary sugar but also contributes to the overall flavor and aroma of the beer. It provides a sweet and fruity character that complements the sourness and creates a well-balanced taste.
The process of making a slushy style sour involves several steps. First, the base beer is brewed using traditional brewing techniques. This base beer is typically a light and crisp style, such as a Berliner Weisse or a Gose. After fermentation, the beer is transferred to a secondary vessel, where it is mixed with a generous amount of fruit puree or juice.
The addition of fruit adds complexity and depth to the beer, as well as enhancing its visual appeal. The fruit puree or juice also contains natural sugars that will fuel a secondary fermentation process, resulting in increased alcohol content. This is why slushy sours are known for their high alcohol content, making them a potent and flavorful beverage.
Once the fruit is added, the beer is typically aged for a period of time to allow the flavors to develop and meld together. The aging process also allows for further fermentation and carbonation to occur. After aging, the beer is often transferred to a keg or can and cooled to near freezing temperatures.
To achieve the slushy consistency, the beer is then subjected to a freezing process. This can be done using specialized equipment or by manually agitating the beer to promote ice crystal formation. The result is a partially frozen beer that resembles a slushie, with a smooth and icy texture.
Slushy style sours are best enjoyed fresh and cold, as the icy texture and intense flavors are at their peak when consumed immediately after freezing. The combination of sourness, fruitiness, and icy texture creates a unique and refreshing drinking experience that is sure to surprise and delight beer enthusiasts.
A slushy style sour is a highly fruited, high-alcohol, and extremely sour beer that resembles a slushie in texture. It is achieved by adding a high salt or sugar content, with the sugar coming from fruit during the brewing process. The result is a refreshing and innovative beer style that offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures.