Off Color Pomegranate Fox 4Pk

Off Color Pomegranate Fox 4Pk is a double barrel-aged wild ale from Off Color Brewing in Chicago, brewed at 8.4% ABV and sold as a four-pack. Part of Off Color's acclaimed Fox series, this expression stands apart through its layered production process—foedre fermented, aged in imperial stout barrels, then refermented with pomegranate—earning an 84 rating on BeerAdvocate.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.4%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Barrel-Aged Wild Ale with Pomegranate  |  Brewery: Off Color Brewing  |  IBU: 10

Production & Heritage

Off Color Brewing, founded in Chicago, Illinois, has built a reputation for experimental and tradition-rooted ales that fall outside mainstream craft beer conventions. Pomegranate Fox begins life as a foedre-fermented wild ale, drawing complex character from the resident microflora in large oak vessels. It then undergoes double barrel aging in imperial stout barrels, which impart dark malt depth and residual richness, before a final refermentation on pomegranate fruit adds a layer of tart, tannic fruitiness. The result is a beer with only 10 IBUs, where acidity and fruit lead rather than hop bitterness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe pomegranate and tart berry notes emerge first, followed by underlying hints of dark malt and oak. A subtle funk from the wild fermentation adds complexity without dominating.

Taste: The entry is distinctly pomegranate-forward, with a clear fruit identity that avoids artificial sweetness. Mid-palate, the imperial stout barrel influence surfaces with faint roast and wood tannin, while the wild ale base provides a measured tartness that balances the fruit. The 8.4% ABV is remarkably well-hidden beneath the layered flavors.

Finish: Medium in length with good carbonation that lifts the palate and keeps the beer refreshing despite its weight. Lingering notes of tart pomegranate and gentle oak tannin carry through cleanly.

How to Drink Pomegranate Fox

Serve at cellar temperature, around 50–55°F, in a tulip glass or stemmed goblet to concentrate the aromatics and showcase the rusty copper color. This is a beer best appreciated on its own or with food rather than in cocktails. For a beer cocktail approach, Pomegranate Fox works in a Wild Ale Shandy cut with sparkling lemonade to accentuate its tart profile, a Berliner Mule riff replacing ginger beer with this ale alongside vodka and lime, or a simple Radler-style blend with grapefruit soda for a lighter session serve.

Best For

• Sharing with fellow wild ale enthusiasts exploring fruit-forward barrel-aged styles
• Pairing with a charcuterie and cheese spread at a dinner gathering
• Gifting to a craft beer collector who values small-batch experimental brewing
• Seasonal sipping during cooler months when richer, complex ales feel most appropriate

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Pomegranate Fox taste like? Pomegranate Fox delivers a distinct, authentic pomegranate flavor layered over a tart wild ale base with subtle dark malt richness from imperial stout barrel aging. The tartness is present but restrained, and the 8.4% alcohol is well-integrated and barely noticeable.

How does Pomegranate Fox compare to other Off Color Fox variants? Within Off Color's Fox series, each variant uses the same foedre-fermented wild ale base but differentiates through its fruit addition and barrel treatment. Pomegranate Fox is notable for its double barrel aging in imperial stout barrels, which gives it more body and dark malt depth than lighter fruit Fox releases.

Is Pomegranate Fox good for sipping on its own? Yes, this is primarily a sipping beer best enjoyed slowly at cellar temperature. Its layered complexity from wild fermentation, barrel aging, and pomegranate refermentation rewards patient, attentive drinking.

Where is Pomegranate Fox made? Pomegranate Fox is produced by Off Color Brewing in Chicago, Illinois. The brewery specializes in unconventional ales inspired by historical and global brewing traditions.

What foods pair well with Pomegranate Fox? Aged gouda and sharp cheddar complement the beer's tartness and barrel character. Duck or lamb dishes echo its rich, fruity depth. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the imperial stout barrel influence. Pomegranate-glazed proteins create a direct flavor bridge. Brine-cured charcuterie like prosciutto offers a savory contrast to the fruit acidity.

What sizes does Pomegranate Fox come in? Pomegranate Fox is available as a four-pack, which is the standard retail format for this release.

Is Pomegranate Fox worth the price? Pomegranate Fox positions as a premium craft wild ale, reflecting the time-intensive production of foedre fermentation, double barrel aging, and fruit refermentation. For drinkers who value complex, barrel-aged wild ales, it represents fair value within its category.

Why Pomegranate Fox?

What separates Pomegranate Fox from the crowded field of fruited sour ales is its genuine production complexity—this is not a kettle sour with juice added at packaging. The three-stage process of foedre wild fermentation, double aging in imperial stout barrels, and refermentation on pomegranate creates a depth that simpler methods cannot replicate. The imperial stout barrel component is the key differentiator within the Fox series itself, adding body and roast character that anchors the pomegranate fruit rather than letting it drift into one-note tartness. For drinkers serious about wild ales, this Chicago-brewed release demonstrates what patient, layered brewing can achieve.