New Brew Thursday: 'Ghost Hugs' from Long Live Beerworks

In the spirit of the "Summer of Sours" tonight's beer while not the best cure for that hot summer day is just one of the better sours released this year. 'Ghost Hugs' is very similar to the other Long Live beers that bear the 'Ghost' name as it too is a Berliner Weisse with ample fruit. This offering has large quantities of blackberries, raspberries, and black currant. The blackberries and black current really amp up the tartness and gives this beer a very distinct and instantaneous sourness in the front of the mouth. The raspberries play a very nice supporting role to help with a very subtle tartness and just the right amount of sweetness. However, it is the vanilla bean that really does steal the show. It gives this beauty very distinct vanilla notes and helps to sweeten things up just as well and helps to round out the beer with a soft but lingering aftertaste. The vanilla also does give the beer a little thicker mouthfeel, while most Berliner Weisses have a light mouthfeel this is a little thick and creamy. Initially when I first opened the beer and had my first sip I had almost convinced myself that there was lactose in this due to how creamy it felt. After multiple sips and doing multiple takes on the label I was pretty shocked that it did not.

While 'Ghost Hugs' is neither on tap nor available in cans at the brewery if you are able to get your hands on one it is definitely a solid choice.

The Summer of Sours

We are roughly half way through the summer and the heat is really starting to amp up. While IPAs and Stouts are my favorite styles there is nothing better than a super tart and crisp sour for that summer scorcher. 

I vaguely remember the first time I had a sour. I believe it was a Flemish Red but I cannot remember which one it was. I really liked it as it was unlike anything I had ever tried before and it began to peak my curiosity. Next were various Goses and Berliner Weisses but then it was the American Wild Ales that really blew me away to becomes my favorite type of sour. While the Goses and Berliner Weisses are more tart and deliver their trademark sourness in the front of our mouth, Wild Ales coat the mouth in an ever loving blanket of sourness. They can be light or heavy but always deliver an amazing sourness that cannot be beat. 

Most breweries have begun to brew more sours for  the summer because they are perfect for the heat. They allow for a crisp refreshing experience with not only that awesome sourness but have more substance that other lighter beers. Often the ABV is lower so you are able to have multiple and still be able to function. While I do love my craft lagers and wheat beers I will take a sour over them more often than not. So on those hot summer days when you're out and about or just need something cool to drink after a long day and it is way too hot for something heavy go for that sour in the fridge or at your nearest brewery/liquor store. You will not be disappointed.