Let me start by saying: I’m no stranger to sour things. I’ll happily handle sour candy that makes most people wince. I even enjoy a good squeeze of lemon in my water. So when I first heard about sour beer, I thought—finally, a beer for me! But after giving it multiple chances (and more than a few sips), I can confidently say it’s just not for me. And that’s okay.
Sour beer, especially brands like Vault City, has grown increasingly popular in the UK over the past few years. Their colourful cans and experimental flavours—from raspberry to mango to marshmallow-laced concoctions—have built them a cult following. Craft beer bars across the country feature sour taps as a sign of modern brewing innovation. And the fans? They’re passionate. For many, sour beer offers a fresh, tangy alternative to the heavier, hoppier IPAs that dominate the craft scene. But for me, sour beer doesn’t hit the same.
Why Do People Love Sour Beer?
Sour beer is essentially the wild child of the beer world. Unlike traditional beers that rely on controlled yeast fermentation for clean and predictable flavour profiles, sour beers embrace wild yeasts and bacteria like Lactobacillus, Brettanomyces, and Pediococcus. These organisms introduce tart, funky, and often unpredictable notes that give sour beer its sharp edge.
People who enjoy sour beer often compare it more to wine or cider than beer. The acidity can be refreshing, especially on a hot day. The brewing process allows for a wide range of creative flavour infusions—fruit, herbs, spices—that many beer drinkers find exciting. For fans of fermentation and complex taste profiles, sour beer is like a playground.
In the UK, Vault City Brewing has become a leading name in the sour scene. Based in Edinburgh, they’ve built their brand on boundary-pushing brews like “Cloudy Lemonade,” “Strawberry Banana Milkshake,” and “Iron Brew Sour.” Other notable UK names in this space include Yonder Brewing, Neon Raptor, and The Wild Beer Co., all of which lean into bold, sour styles. For some, these beers are pure magic in a glass.
So Why Don’t I Like It?
Here’s the twist: even though I genuinely love sour flavours in other contexts, sour beer feels off to me. It’s not the sourness that gets me—it’s the bitterness and often the intense funk that accompanies it. Unlike a crisp lemonade or a mouth-puckering sour sweet, sour beer often carries a sharp, bitter aftertaste that clashes with the tanginess up front.
Maybe it’s the mix of sour and bitter that throws my palate. Or maybe it’s the underlying beer flavour I don’t enjoy when mixed with acidic overtones. Whatever it is, drinking sour beer doesn’t feel like sipping a refreshing beverage. It feels more like an endurance test.
I’ve tried giving it a fair shot. I’ve sipped my way through Vault City’s fruitier offerings, hoping that something like Triple Fruited Mango might convert me. Instead, I’m left wincing at every mouthful, wishing I’d just ordered a DIPA instead.
It’s Okay Not to Like What’s Popular
Look, I get the appeal. Sour beers are bold, creative, and endlessly diverse. They have a loyal fanbase for good reason. But not every trend is for everyone—and that’s what makes the world of drinks so interesting.
We all have different palates, and it’s perfectly valid to admit when something just isn’t your vibe, no matter how popular it is. For me, sour beer falls into that category. I’ll continue enjoying my sour snacks and acidic dishes—but when it comes to cracking open a cold one, I’ll be steering clear of the sour aisle.
Give me a crisp lager, a good real ale, or even just a sparkling water. But sour beer? I’m leaving that to the true believers.
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