Steamworks Flanders-Style Dark Sour

Steamworks Flanders-Style Dark Sour Review

Steamworks Brewing Co. has furnished BC beer fans with a serious sour, the Flanders-Style Dark. This is no mere tart fruity kettle sour; this is an ale aged on oak, fermenting on cherries and currants in wood for 18 months.

There are a number of styles from the Low Countries that are challenging for the brewbie (newbie) palate. In particular, Flanders Red is one that’s not a great introductory craft beer style to convert your Bud-loving uncle with. Probably the most heralded and veteran practitioner of the style in Vancouver is Storm Brewing, whose Flanders left quite an impression when it first slapped the tongues of the Beer Seekers. Let’s see how this candidate from Steamworks’ Burnaby brewery fares.

The beer pours very cloudy with a nice plum colour. Don’t look for highly carbonated fizz though, as this liquid sits pretty much flat in your glass.

Its aroma is vinous and acetic, with oak and vanilla notes. Flavours of this red wine-like brew include red grape skins, pepper, plum, cherry and cinnamon.

Again, for those that are accustomed to tart, light and fruity white wine-like sours, this is not one of those. On the palate it is acetic, sour and somewhat astringent. It’s a grown-up sour ale.

Having said all that, this is a more accessible drink than certain other Flanders Reds. Don’t be afraid of the Dark; this entry from Steamworks is a nicely-made example of a challenging style.