Ballast Point Sour Wench 6Pk

Ballast Point Sour Wench 6Pk is a kettle-soured Berliner Weisse-style ale brewed with Marion blackberries at 7.0% ABV, sold in a six-pack of 12 oz bottles. With over 57,000 ratings on Untappd and a score of 3.7 out of 5, it has become one of the more recognizable fruit sours from the American craft scene.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.0%  |  Origin: San Diego, California  |  Style: Berliner Weisse with Fruit  |  Brewery: Ballast Point Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Ballast Point Brewing Company, based in San Diego, California, originally developed Sour Wench as a Home Brew Mart recipe brewed annually for the Southern California Homebrewers Festival in Temecula. The beer uses a kettle-souring process in which the mash is soured prior to the boil, rather than relying on extended barrel aging — a deliberate choice that yields a cleaner, more controlled tartness. Oregon State Marion blackberries are added at a rate of one pound per gallon, giving the beer its striking violet hue and intense berry character that sets it apart from lighter kettle sours.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Jammy blackberry and blueberry dominate the nose, supported by mild acidity and a subtle vinegar-like tang. A medium malt backbone rounds out the aromatics without competing with the fruit.

Taste: The palate opens with tart green apple before transitioning into a sour blackberry core at mid-palate. As the flavor develops, the berry intensity grows progressively, pulling in secondary notes of raspberry and cherry. The kettle-souring technique delivers what Ballast Point describes as an approachable soft tartness rather than a puckering acidity.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering berry tartness and a dry, lightly tart close. The fruit flavors persist without becoming cloying, leaving a clean impression.

How to Drink Sour Wench

Sour Wench drinks best chilled to around 40–45°F, poured into a tulip glass or wide-mouth goblet to concentrate its berry aromatics. A Berliner Weisse Spritz adds a splash of elderflower liqueur to amplify the floral-fruit character. A Sour Shandy — equal parts Sour Wench and fresh lemonade over ice — makes a refreshing warm-weather drink that balances tartness with citrus sweetness. For a more adventurous serve, try a Berry Sour Radler by combining Sour Wench with grapefruit soda, where the blackberry tartness and bitter citrus complement each other naturally.

Best For

• Introducing a sour-curious friend to fruit-forward kettle sours
• Summer cookouts and outdoor gatherings where bold flavor and drinkability both matter
• Building a tasting flight alongside other West Coast sour ales
• Pairing with a weekend brunch spread featuring berry-based dishes or rich cheeses

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sour Wench taste like? Sour Wench leads with tart green apple and sour blackberry flavors that intensify through the sip, joined by hints of raspberry and cherry. The kettle-souring process keeps the acidity approachable rather than aggressive, with a jammy fruit sweetness for balance.

How does Sour Wench compare to other fruit Berliner Weisses? Unlike many barrel-aged sours that develop funky, complex Brett-driven flavors over months of aging, Sour Wench uses kettle souring for a cleaner, more fruit-forward profile. Its Marion blackberry addition at one pound per gallon delivers a significantly more intense berry character than most fruit-accented Berliner Weisse styles.

Is Sour Wench good for sour beer beginners? Yes — the kettle-souring method produces a soft, approachable tartness that avoids the intense acidity of wild-fermented or barrel-aged sours, making it a solid entry point for anyone exploring the style.

Where is Sour Wench made? Sour Wench is brewed by Ballast Point Brewing Company in San Diego, California. The recipe originated as a homebrew project at Home Brew Mart, Ballast Point's affiliated homebrew supply shop, and was brewed each year for the Southern California Homebrewers Festival in Temecula before entering commercial production.

What foods pair well with Sour Wench? Creamy goat cheese or brie, where the tartness cuts through the richness. Grilled pork with a blackberry glaze mirrors the berry notes naturally. Lemon tart or berry cheesecake echoes the fruit-forward acidity. A charcuterie board with aged salami and fresh berries bridges savory and sweet elements. Fish tacos with a citrus slaw complement the bright acidity.

What sizes does Sour Wench come in? Sour Wench is commonly available in six-packs of 12 oz bottles.

Is Sour Wench worth the price? Sour Wench positions as a mid-range craft sour, priced comparably to other fruit-addition Berliner Weisse beers from established breweries. The generous one-pound-per-gallon blackberry addition and the pedigree of the Ballast Point name offer solid value within the fruited sour category.

Why Sour Wench?

The defining feature of Sour Wench is its aggressive fruit loading — one pound of Oregon State Marion blackberries per gallon — a ratio that gives the beer its distinctive deep violet color and a berry intensity few kettle sours can match. Its origin as a homebrewer festival recipe lends it a grassroots authenticity that has resonated with the craft beer community, as reflected in its 57,000-plus Untappd ratings. The kettle-souring technique deliberately avoids barrel-aged complexity in favor of a clean, fruit-driven tartness that keeps the blackberry front and center. For drinkers looking for a sour that commits fully to its fruit character without veering into funky or overly acidic territory, Sour Wench remains a benchmark in its style.