Crooked Stave Petite Sour Raspberry 16oz

Crooked Stave Petite Sour Raspberry 16oz is an oak-aged wild ale fermented with Brettanomyces and conditioned on whole Washington raspberries at 4.5% ABV. Scoring 92 on BeerAdvocate across 272 ratings, this expression stands as one of the most respected fruit sours produced in Colorado's thriving craft scene.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.5%  |  Origin: Denver, Colorado  |  Style: Fruited Wild Ale  |  Brewery: Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project

Production & Heritage

Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project was founded in Denver, Colorado, by Chad Yakobson, whose Master's thesis research on Brettanomyces yeast species became the scientific backbone of the brewery's entire production philosophy. Petite Sour Raspberry begins with a primary fermentation using a proprietary mixed culture of wild yeast, then undergoes secondary fermentation in large oak foeders with whole Washington raspberries. The result is a beer shaped as much by microbiological science as by traditional farmhouse brewing — Brettanomyces drives the dry, tart character while the oak foeders contribute subtle tannic structure and micro-oxygenation that rounds out the fruit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe raspberry dominates immediately, followed by a yeasty, dough-like undertone from the Brettanomyces fermentation. Underneath, faint lemon zest and a whiff of oak lend complexity without competing with the fruit.

Taste: Tart raspberry hits upfront with bright acidity, then transitions through a juicy mid-palate where berry sweetness and vinous sourness reach a fine equilibrium. A subtle citrus note emerges alongside the dry, Brett-driven backbone, keeping the beer refreshing rather than cloying despite the fruit intensity.

Finish: Dry and moderately tart with lingering raspberry skin and a gentle oak tannin grip. The finish is clean and quick, encouraging another sip and reinforcing the beer's sessionable design at 4.5% ABV.

How to Drink Petite Sour Raspberry

Pour cold into a tulip glass or wine glass to concentrate the aromatics; this beer rewards direct, unadorned drinking. For cocktail-adjacent serves, try a Berliner Shandy by blending with lemonade for an amplified citrus-raspberry refresher, a Sour Radler mixed with grapefruit soda to play up the tartness in warm weather, or a Wild Mimosa — equal parts Petite Sour Raspberry and dry sparkling wine — where the oak-aged complexity adds depth a standard brunch drink never achieves.

Best For

• Introducing hop-focused drinkers to the world of wild and sour ales
• Warm-weather patio sessions where low ABV and bright acidity keep things refreshing
• Pairing alongside a charcuterie spread at a dinner gathering
• Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast exploring Brettanomyces-driven fermentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Petite Sour Raspberry taste like? It leads with vibrant raspberry tartness balanced by a dry, yeast-driven sourness and a hint of citrus. The oak aging adds a subtle tannic structure that keeps the fruit from becoming one-dimensional.

How does Petite Sour Raspberry compare to Cascade Brewing's fruit sours? Both breweries specialize in barrel-aged sour ales, but Crooked Stave leans heavily on Brettanomyces-driven fermentation informed by Yakobson's academic research, while Cascade Brewing in Portland often employs blending of aged barrels across multiple vintages. Petite Sour Raspberry is notably lower in ABV than many Cascade offerings, positioning it as a more sessionable everyday sour.

Is Petite Sour Raspberry good for sour beer beginners? Yes — the 4.5% ABV and prominent fruit character make it approachable, while the balanced acidity avoids the face-puckering intensity that can deter newcomers to the style.

Where is Petite Sour Raspberry made? It is brewed at Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project in Denver, Colorado, where all beers are fermented with Brettanomyces and conditioned in oak barrels or large oak foeders.

What foods pair well with Petite Sour Raspberry? Aged goat cheese accentuates the beer's tangy acidity. Smoked duck or pork rillettes contrast the bright fruit. Fresh summer salads with berry vinaigrette mirror the raspberry character. Dark chocolate with sea salt complements the dry, tart finish. Soft-ripened Brie provides a creamy counterpoint to the sourness.

What sizes does Petite Sour Raspberry come in? The standard format is a 16oz can, which is the most widely distributed size for this expression.

Is Petite Sour Raspberry worth the price? It positions as a premium craft sour that commands a higher price than mainstream sour ales, justified by genuine mixed-culture fermentation and real fruit conditioning in oak foeders — production methods far more labor-intensive and time-consuming than kettle-souring shortcuts used by many competitors.

Why Petite Sour Raspberry?

What separates this beer from the flood of fruit sours on the market is the science behind it. Chad Yakobson built Crooked Stave on peer-reviewed research into Brettanomyces, and that expertise translates directly into the glass — the yeast character here isn't accidental funk but a deliberately cultivated flavor profile. A 92 on BeerAdvocate confirms broad critical consensus that the balance between Washington raspberry fruit, oak tannin, and wild yeast complexity is executed at a high level. At 4.5% ABV, Petite Sour Raspberry delivers the depth of a barrel-aged wild ale in a format you can actually drink more than one of, making it one of the more versatile and rewarding fruit sours produced in the United States.