Cheers to Beers
CHEERS TO BEERS
By Megan Wiskus
Though the Sacramento region has a bevy of craft breweries, in honor of International Beer Day on August 5, we found “5 Buzzworthy Brews from Around the World”—including a fruited sour from Cloudwater Brew Co. in England and an arctic pale ale from Einstök Beer in Iceland.
1//Arctic Pale Ale
Einstök Beer, Iceland
ABV:5.6%
Balanced with three kinds of hops (Cascade, Northern Brewer, and Hallertau Tradition) and brewed 60 miles south of the Arctic Circle, this award-winning pale ale has a slight toffee flavor, generous hop aroma and flavor, and a perfect amount of bitterness. As the brewery says, “everything else will palein comparison” once you put your lips on this mild and uniquely Icelandic offering.
2//Single Fermented Belgian Pale Ale
Duvel, Belgiam
ABV:6.8%
Brewed with two-row summer malts and noble hops, this crisp, beautifully balanced and remarkably refreshing ale has subtle citrus notes, soft carbonation, and a golden-blonde hue. Each sip reflects the brewery’s commitment to quality and taste that they set forth almost 150 years ago.
3//I Still Got It
Cloudwater Brew Co., England
ABV:5.8%
This fruited sour, brewed in collaboration with Bruery Terreux in Anaheim, is lightly soured with Cloudwater’s house lactobacillus culture before being fermented with JW Lees yeast and re-fermented with raspberry and passion fruit purée. Just like its punchy-colored can, the beer pours a beautiful ruby red and is perfectly sweet and tart on the tongue.
4//Red Rice Ale
Hitachino Nest Beer, Japan
ABV:7%
Fans of sake will love this complex wild ale that features rice wine-like flavors with malty, sweet notes of strawberries on the nose and palate. Brewed using red rice from ancient times, it pours rosy-pink and tastes slightly tangy with a little funk and lots of fruit.
5//Lemongrass Gose
To Øl, Denmark
ABV: 4.1%
Slightly salty, somewhat sour, and extremely effervescent, this balanced gose is hoppy, pungent, and deeply aromatic. Citra hops give it a kick of lemon and floral aromas that’ll hit you right in the nose. Its low alcohol content makes it a perfect choice for sessionable sipping on hot summer days.