Clearly, Noodledoof weren't going to die wondering when it came to their first sour of summer 2023/24. On the hop front, they opted for Superdelic, one of the latest, greatest and mightiest creations from New Zealand. A strain of kveik yeast with origins in Scandinavia and often referred to as a "super yeast" for the speed and temperatures at which it can work is in there too. Ripe mangoes were added by the bucket. And it's been kettle-soured too. So just what lies in wait with such a roster of participants?
To be honest, I was expecting a mouthful of brekkie juice/purée-like mango, not least as it pours with the density of a fruited, oaty hazy, yet the dominant aroma is the leaner tropical character of the Superdelic (or maybe fruity esters from the kveik – it can be hard to tell these days). What's certain is this is no fleshy, smoothie sour, and the mango is more freshy and tangy than funky or overripe. Add in the cleansing nature of the lacto from the souring and bitterness from the Superdelic, however, and it is a story that ends with quite the full stop.
James Smith
Published December 6, 2023 2023-12-06 00:00:00