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.