Destihl Wild Sour Variety 12Pk

Destihl Wild Sour Variety 12Pk is a 12-pack of 12 oz cans featuring four distinct kettle sour ales ranging from 5% to 6.1% ABV. Brewed with a proprietary wild mixed culture originally harvested from Central Illinois air, this pack showcases one of the most ambitious American sour programs operating today.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5%–6.1% (varies by style)  |  Origin: Normal, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Kettle Sour Ales  |  Brewery: DESTIHL Brewery

Production & Heritage

DESTIHL Brewery operates out of Normal, Illinois, where it maintains a dedicated 240-barrel sour kettle brewhouse—expandable to 360 barrels—alongside its conventional 60-barrel system. The WiLD Sour Series is kettle soured using the brewery's own culture of wild microflora indigenous to Central Illinois, a detail that gives these beers a terroir-driven character uncommon in American sour brewing. The variety pack includes four rotating expressions: Synchopathic (a citrus-forward sour ale at 6% ABV), Flanders Red (a tart, wine-like ale at 6.1% ABV), Here Gose Nothin' (a traditional gose at 5% ABV), and Lynnbrook.

Tasting Notes

Synchopathic: Aromas of grapefruit, orange, and tangerine give way to lemon and pineapple with hints of pine. The palate is refreshingly tart and acidic, built on a biscuity-crackery malt backbone with low bitterness. The finish dries out with grassy, floral hop character and a touch of leathery funk.

Flanders Red: Opens with an immediate impression of tart cherry candy that unfolds into bright acidity layered over caramel and biscuit malt. Hop character is intentionally minimal, allowing the complex malt profile and fruit notes to dominate. The finish is dry and distinctly wine-like.

Here Gose Nothin': Complex aromas shaped by indigenous wild yeast and lactic fermentation lead into pronounced lemon, lime, and citrus-like flavors. Coriander adds a spicy counterpoint, while French sea salt contributes a mineral-rich mouthfeel that rounds out the tartness.

How to Drink the Wild Sour Variety Pack

Each of these sours is best enjoyed well chilled, poured into a tulip glass or stemmed goblet to concentrate the aromatic complexity. The variety format encourages side-by-side tasting to appreciate the range of the WiLD Sour program. Synchopathic works as a bright, citrus-driven substitute for a Paloma-style beer cocktail with a salted rim. Here Gose Nothin' pairs naturally with a shandy build—add a splash of elderflower cordial and fresh lemon for a summer spritz. Flanders Red stands on its own as a wine-alternative sipper at dinner, where its dry, tannic finish mirrors a light Burgundy.

Best For

• Introducing a craft beer drinker to the world of American sour ales
• Hosting a guided tasting flight at a backyard cookout or dinner party
• Gifting a beer enthusiast who gravitates toward tart, complex styles
• Pairing alongside a cheese and charcuterie spread

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Destihl Wild Sour Variety Pack taste like? The four ales span a wide flavor spectrum, from the citrus-forward tartness and grapefruit bite of Synchopathic to the cherry-candy acidity and wine-like dryness of Flanders Red, plus the salty, coriander-spiced brightness of Here Gose Nothin'.

How does the Wild Sour Variety Pack compare to Founders Green Zebra Variety Pack? Founders Green Zebra focuses on fruited gose variations (watermelon, peach, mango, pineapple) that lean slightly sweet, while DESTIHL's pack showcases four stylistically distinct sour ales—including a Flanders red and a hop-forward sour—brewed with a house wild culture for greater complexity and range.

Is the Wild Sour Variety Pack good for sour beer beginners? Yes—Here Gose Nothin' at 5% ABV is an approachable entry point with gentle tartness, while Synchopathic and Flanders Red reward more experienced palates with layered acidity and funk.

Where is the Wild Sour Variety Pack made? All four beers are brewed at DESTIHL Brewery in Normal, Illinois, using a dedicated sour kettle brewhouse and wild microflora harvested from the Central Illinois environment.

What foods pair well with DESTIHL Wild Sours? Synchopathic's citrus punch cuts through rich fish tacos; Flanders Red complements aged gouda or gruyère with its cherry-tart acidity; Here Gose Nothin' pairs beautifully with ceviche or raw oysters thanks to its saline character; all four styles stand up well to tangy barbecue and smoked meats.

What sizes does the Wild Sour Variety Pack come in? The standard format is a 12-pack of 12 oz cans containing three cans of each of the four sour ale styles.

Is the Wild Sour Variety Pack worth the price? It positions as a mid-range craft variety pack, but the use of a proprietary wild culture and a dedicated sour brewhouse puts its production pedigree well above most similarly priced kettle sour packs on the market.

Why the Wild Sour Variety Pack?

What separates DESTIHL's WiLD Sour Series from the crowded American sour field is infrastructure and intention. Few breweries of any size have invested in a standalone 240-barrel sour kettle brewhouse, and fewer still ferment with a house-propagated wild culture drawn from their own regional environment. The result is a lineup of sours with genuine microbiological identity—not simply wort dosed with commercial Lactobacillus. For drinkers looking to explore four legitimately distinct sour styles in a single purchase, this pack delivers range, complexity, and a sense of place that most variety packs cannot match.