Lagunitas Aunt Sally 6Pk

Lagunitas Aunt Sally 6Pk is a 5.7% ABV dry-hopped sour mash ale from Lagunitas Brewing Company, packaged as a six-pack of 12 oz servings. It earned a 93-point Gold Medal rating from Tastings.com, placing it in the "Exceptional" tier, and its kettle-souring technique delivers a uniquely accessible take on the American sour ale style.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.7%  |  Origin: California, USA  |  Style: Dry-Hopped Sour Mash Ale  |  Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Lagunitas Brewing Company was founded in 1993 by Tony Magee in the small town of Lagunitas, California, before relocating to nearby Petaluma. The brewery is now fully owned by Heineken International, which completed its acquisition in 2017. Aunt Sally is produced using a kettle-souring method: the wort is soured on the hot side with Lactobacillus over the course of several days before fermentation, then dry-hopped. This approach gives brewers precise control over acidity levels, resulting in a clean, bright tartness without the unpredictability of spontaneous or barrel-aged wild fermentation.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh lemon zest and grapefruit peel hit first, followed by a wave of tropical fruit and a subtle crackery malt backbone. There is a faint green-apple acidity that signals the Lactobacillus character beneath the hops.

Taste: The entry is immediately tart, recalling citrus candy and chewable fruit vitamins. At mid-palate, notes of peach, pear, and light tropical fruit emerge, balanced by a lean bready malt that keeps the sweetness in check. The dry-hopping adds a gentle herbal bitterness that rounds out the peak without overwhelming the sour profile.

Finish: Medium in length with a dry, refreshingly tart close. Lingering lemon and grapefruit linger alongside a faint breadiness that fades cleanly.

How to Drink Aunt Sally

Aunt Sally is best served chilled at 40–45°F to keep the tartness crisp and the fruit notes vivid. A tulip glass or a standard pint will both showcase the aroma well.

• Berliner Weisse-style Shandy: Combine with a splash of raspberry or woodruff syrup to amplify the fruit-forward sourness in a classic German tradition.
• Sour Beer Michelada: The bright citrus acidity substitutes perfectly for the lime-heavy base in a Michelada, complementing hot sauce and tomato.
• Beer Margarita: Blend with tequila, lime juice, and agave for a sour-ale twist on the classic margarita — the kettle-soured tartness replaces much of the citrus work.

Best For

• Introducing craft-curious drinkers to the sour ale category
• Hot-weather patio sessions where refreshment is the priority
• Pairing alongside a summer cookout spread
• Gifting to a hophead who wants to explore something outside the IPA lane

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Aunt Sally taste like? Aunt Sally delivers a moderately tart, citrus-driven profile dominated by lemon and grapefruit, with supporting notes of peach, pear, and tropical fruit layered over a light, crackery malt base.

How does Aunt Sally compare to Two Brothers A Bretter Day? Both are American sour ales, but Aunt Sally is noticeably less sour than Two Brothers A Bretter Day and uses a cleaner kettle-souring process rather than Brettanomyces fermentation, making it more approachable for drinkers new to the style.

Is Aunt Sally good for sour beer beginners? Yes — the controlled kettle-souring method produces a balanced, moderate tartness that is far less aggressive than spontaneously fermented or barrel-aged sours, making it an excellent entry point into sour ales.

Where is Aunt Sally made? Aunt Sally is brewed by Lagunitas Brewing Company, headquartered in Petaluma, California, with additional brewing operations in Chicago, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Aunt Sally? Grilled shrimp or fish tacos complement the citrus tartness; tangy goat cheese or fresh chèvre mirrors the Lactobacillus sourness; fresh fruit salads with stone fruits echo the peach and pear notes; spicy Thai green curry finds relief in the beer's crisp acidity; and lemon tarts or key lime pie create a harmonious dessert pairing.

What sizes does Aunt Sally come in? Aunt Sally is commonly available in a six-pack of 12 oz servings, which is the standard retail format.

Is Aunt Sally worth the price? Aunt Sally positions as an accessible, everyday sour ale within the craft beer segment — it sits at the entry-level price tier for kettle sours while delivering a complexity that earned a 93-point Gold Medal from Tastings.com, making it strong value for the category.

Why Aunt Sally?

What separates Aunt Sally from the growing crowd of American sour ales is its deliberate restraint. The hot-side Lactobacillus souring method produces a clean, predictable tartness that avoids the funky, barnyard notes associated with wild yeast fermentation, yet it retains enough character to satisfy seasoned sour drinkers. A 93-point Gold Medal from Tastings.com and a 92/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing back up that balance with critical recognition. For a widely distributed six-pack sour ale at a modest ABV, Aunt Sally consistently punches above its weight class.