Day 8: The White Hag Púca Tropical Sour

Brewery Name: The White Hag Irish Brewing Company
Beer Style: Kettle Sour
ABV: 3.5%
Country: Ireland

Tasting Notes
Dive into the sensory experience of The White Hag Púca Tropical Sour.
• Appearance: Hazy golden hue with a frothy white head.
• Aroma: Bursting with tropical fruit aromas, including pineapple, grapefruit, mango, and lime.
• Flavour: A harmonious blend of tart citrus and juicy tropical fruits, delivering a refreshing sourness.
• Mouthfeel: Light-bodied with a crisp, effervescent finish that invigorates the palate.

This vibrant kettle sour offers a delightful fusion of tropical flavours, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a refreshing and tangy beer experience.

About the Brewery: The White Hag Irish Brewing Company
Get to know the creators behind Púca Tropical Sour.
• History and Legacy: Established in 2014 in Ballymote, County Sligo, The White Hag has quickly become a prominent figure in the Irish craft beer scene, known for its innovative brews and dedication to quality.
• Philosophy: The brewery embraces traditional brewing techniques while experimenting with unique ingredients and styles, aiming to create beers that honour Irish heritage and mythology.
• Notable Creations: In addition to the Púca series, The White Hag is acclaimed for beers like Little Fawn Session IPA and Black Boar Imperial Oatmeal Stout, each showcasing the brewery’s commitment to excellence.

The History and Appeal of Sour Beers
Explore the origins of one of the most exciting beer styles.
• Origins: Sour beers are among the oldest beer styles in the world, originating in Europe before modern brewing techniques allowed for greater control over yeast and bacteria. Traditional sour beers were fermented with wild yeast and bacteria naturally present in the environment or in wooden barrels, creating tart and complex flavours.
• Global Revival: In recent years, sour beers have experienced a renaissance, with craft breweries worldwide reviving traditional methods and innovating with new techniques and flavour additions.
• Key Characteristics: Sour beers are known for their tart acidity, refreshing qualities, and ability to incorporate a variety of fruits, spices, and herbs, making them incredibly versatile.

What Makes Kettle Sours Unique?
Dive into the modern twist on sour beer brewing.
• Technique: Kettle souring is a modern brewing method that enables brewers to produce sour beers more quickly than traditional techniques. Lactobacillus bacteria are added to the wort (unfermented beer) and allowed to sour before the boiling process. This halts the activity of the bacteria, locking in the desired level of acidity.
• Efficiency: This approach eliminates the risk of contaminating other beers in a brewery, as the souring process is contained entirely within the brewing kettle.
• Flavour Profile: Kettle sours are characterised by their clean, bright tartness, often complemented by the addition of fruits or spices during or after fermentation. They lack some of the funkiness or complexity of traditional sours but make up for it with their refreshing, crisp flavour.
• Accessibility: The quick turnaround time and controlled process make kettle sours more accessible for breweries to produce and for consumers to enjoy, introducing many drinkers to the world of sour beers.

Kettle sours, such as The White Hag Púca Tropical Sour, are perfect for those who enjoy a vibrant, refreshing beer with a balance of tartness and fruity sweetness.

If You Like This Beer, You Might Also Enjoy…
Expand your horizons within this style.
• WeldWerks Mango Strawberry Cobbler Sour by WeldWerks Brewing Co. – A fruited sour ale brewed with strawberry and mango purée, vanilla, graham crackers, and milk sugar, offering a tart yet sweet profile reminiscent of a classic cobbler dessert.
• Wicklow Wolf Solstice Tropical Sour by Wicklow Wolf Brewing Company – This tropical sour delivers a juicy burst of mango, peach, and apricot flavours, balanced by a refreshing tartness, embodying the essence of summer.
• The Garden Brewery x Rascals Rosehip & Orange Sour by The Garden Brewery and Rascals Brewing Co. – A collaborative brew that balances the tartness of rosehip with sweet, zesty notes of fresh orange, resulting in a vibrant and refreshing sour beer.

Share Your Experience
Love Púca Tropical Sour? Snap a picture and share your thoughts on social media using #TheCruIE and tag us to let us know what you think! We’d love to see how you’re enjoying this vibrant kettle sour.