Crooked Stave Sour Rose 6Pk

Crooked Stave Sour Rose 6Pk is a mixed-culture American wild ale fermented on raspberries and blueberries, packaged as six 12 oz cans at approximately 4.5% ABV. Awarded a 98-point score by Beer & Brewing magazine and a 90 on BeerAdvocate, this fruited sour stands as one of the most acclaimed expressions in its category.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~4.5%  |  Origin: Denver, Colorado  |  Style: American Wild Ale / Sour Rosé  |  Brewery: Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project

Production & Heritage

Crooked Stave was founded in Denver, Colorado in late 2010, built around founder Chad Yakobson's doctoral research into Brettanomyces yeast strains. Sour Rosé is 100% primary fermented using Crooked Stave's proprietary mixed culture of wild yeast and bacteria, then aged in large oak foeders on whole raspberries and blueberries for upwards of 12 weeks. It holds the distinction of being the first 100% mixed-culture-fermented, 100% primary-fermented oak-aged beer released in cans by any brewery. A small amount of live yeast is packaged alongside the beer to maintain maximum freshness through the life of the can.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Tart raspberries lead immediately, followed by ripe blueberry and a bright citrus lift. Underneath the fruit sits a subtle yeasty funk and a whisper of oak from the foeder aging.

Taste: The entry is crisp and effervescent, almost champagne-like, with bright lemon-tinged acidity hitting first. At mid-palate, raspberry and blueberry flavors weave together seamlessly—sweet enough to register as fruit, sour enough to keep the palate engaged. The balance between tartness and fruit sweetness is precise, never veering too far in either direction.

Finish: Softly tart with a slightly astringent berry twang from the raspberries. Lively carbonation keeps it sparkling on the tongue, and the finish dries out cleanly, inviting the next sip.

How to Drink Sour Rosé

Serve well chilled in a tulip glass or stemmed wine glass to concentrate the aromatics and showcase the beer's deep rosé hue. Sour Rosé drinks beautifully on its own as an aperitif or warm-weather sipper. For a Berliner Spritz, top with a splash of elderflower liqueur and a lemon twist—the citrus acidity aligns naturally. In a Sour Shandy, blend equal parts Sour Rosé and fresh lemonade for an easy, low-ABV refresher. It also works in a Wild Ale Mimosa, replacing sparkling wine with Sour Rosé and adding a measure of fresh-squeezed blood orange juice—the berry tartness and citrus create a brunch-worthy combination.

Best For

• Introducing craft-beer-curious drinkers to wild ales without overwhelming sourness
• Summer entertaining where a low-ABV, highly refreshing option is needed
• Pairing alongside a charcuterie or cheese board at dinner parties
• Gifting to sour-beer enthusiasts who appreciate mixed-culture fermentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sour Rosé taste like? Sour Rosé delivers bright raspberry and blueberry fruit with lemony acidity and champagne-like effervescence, finishing clean and softly tart without harsh sourness.

How does Sour Rosé compare to traditional Belgian fruit lambics? Belgian fruit lambics such as those from Lindemans or Cantillon rely on spontaneous fermentation with ambient wild yeast, while Sour Rosé uses Crooked Stave's proprietary mixed culture for a more controlled tartness. The result is a fruitier, more approachable beer with comparable complexity but lower acidity than classic gueuze-based lambics.

Is Sour Rosé good for beginners? Yes—its 4.5% ABV, balanced fruit sweetness, and restrained tartness make it one of the most accessible entry points into wild and sour ales.

Where is Sour Rosé made? Sour Rosé is brewed by Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project in Denver, Colorado, where the brewery has operated since its founding in late 2010.

What foods pair well with Sour Rosé? Soft-ripened cheeses like Brie or Camembert complement the tartness without overwhelming the fruit. Grilled shrimp or ceviche mirror the beer's citrus-forward acidity. Fresh berry desserts—especially raspberry tarts—echo the core flavors. Prosciutto and melon create a sweet-savory contrast that works alongside the effervescence. Thai green papaya salad matches the beer's bright, tangy profile note for note.

What sizes does Sour Rosé come in? The standard retail format is a 6-pack of 12 oz cans, which is the most widely distributed packaging for this expression.

Is Sour Rosé worth the price? Sour Rosé positions as a premium craft sour ale, and the oak-foeder aging, whole-fruit additions, and mixed-culture fermentation justify its price point relative to simpler kettle sours or fruited session ales in the same category.

Why Sour Rosé?

What separates Sour Rosé from the crowded field of fruited sours is its fermentation pedigree. This is not a kettle sour with fruit purée stirred in—it is 100% primary fermented with a proprietary wild culture, then aged on whole raspberries and blueberries in oak foeders for up to 12 weeks. That process, rooted in Chad Yakobson's Brettanomyces research, produces a depth of flavor that quick-soured competitors rarely achieve. A 98-point score from Beer & Brewing and a BeerAdvocate rating of 90 confirm what the glass tells you: this is one of the most accomplished fruited wild ales available in a can.