Down to every last detail, Carolina Bauernhaus’ June Princess Barrel-Aged Sour Ale is a puckering taste of South Carolina. And since the brewery only made 12 barrels this year, the chance to bathe in its nectarine glory is fleeting before Southern sour heads drink it all up!

The Bauernhaus brewers start by building layers of tart, funky flavor on a Sour Rye Ale brewed with Carolina-grown Pilsner and heirloom Rye Malts. Then they transfer it into Tempranillo wine barrels along with 600 pounds of June Princess nectarines, a rare, super tart variety sourced from Clemson University’s research farm.

And here’s where Bauernhaus’ signature blend of artistry and science come together: they ferment June Princess with a wild yeast strain isolated from the very same nectarines! That’s right, stone fruit-ception. After spending a full 12 months in the wine barrels, the wild yeast and fruit join together in blissful sour harmony.

Bright and wonderfully balanced, sipping this brew is akin to taking the last bite of a really good nectarine, that fleshy fruit near the pit where the juice is a bit more tart. Puckering stone fruit and dried apricots dominate the nose along with a hint of biscuity malt. June Princess’ mild acidity allows the full spectrum of fruit to shine through, complemented by a subtle spicy oak character from barrel-aging.

From malts to fruit and even the wild-captured yeast, June Princess is an essential snapshot of this GABF award-winning Wild Ale brewery. Any self-proclaimed Sour fan would be missing out without this distinctly South Carolina brew.

Rated 4.09 on Untappd

Packaged On October 8th, 2018

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