Although the idiom on a sour note commonly is used in reference to an unpleasant situation, sour notes are having a pleasant impact on the craft beer market. As beer drinkers look for new, flavorful options, analysts note that sour beers are delivering.
“The tart taste profile is what differentiates sours from other beers,” says Eric Schmidt, director of alcohol research for New York-based Beverage Marketing Corporation (BMC). “Within sours you’ll find different styles such as lambics, which are lighter and mixed with cherry and raspberry and goses which are made with coriander and salt.”