If you are looking for a great beer, you can’t go wrong with wild beers. These beers are brewed using wild yeasts, bacteria, and other microorganisms. This wild fermentation results in beers that are complex and unique. It’s hard to define wild beers precisely because the style is constantly evolving.
Wild beers have their traditional home in countries like Belgium and Germany, where classic styles originated. Nowadays, breweries around the world are experimenting with wild fermentation, bringing new twists to these time-honored techniques.
Wild beers can be sour, fruity, spicy, funky, or tart – all depending on the ingredients used during fermentation. They can also range in colour from golden to deep red or black. The flavour profile of wild beers is often shaped by the unique mix of microbes, fruit, and fermentation processes involved. Brewers love the quirky names and fascinating processes of the bacteria that give wild beers their character.
Wild beers are a celebrated part of the craft beers movement, prized for their artisanal quality and traditional brewing methods. You can find wild beers in specialty shops, breweries, and online outlets, making them accessible to adventurous drinkers everywhere. Wild beers include sours and sour beers, which are known for their tartness and refreshing complexity.
Let’s learn more about wild beers, how they are brewed, and what makes them so unique. So if you are planning to start a new restaurant business, or a new brewery or are just curious about this exciting beer, this article is for you!
What makes wild beers different than other beers?
People drink wildly different beers for a variety of reasons, and wild beers are no exception. The key difference between wild beers and other beers lies in their fermentation: wild beers are brewed with wild yeast or bacteria, which create unique flavours and aromas that can’t be replicated in traditional beer-making processes.
There are several methods used to produce wild beers, such as kettle souring and traditional souring, and each method impacts the final flavour of the beer. For example, kettle souring is a quicker process, while traditional souring develops more complex flavours over time.
These yeasts and bacteria can impart a funkier flavour profile, often described as “fruity, earthy, and tart.” Depending on the type of wild yeast and bacteria used, wild beers can have a range of characteristics, from dry and crisp to sweet and sour. They can also contain unique ingredients like fruits, herbs, spices, or even vegetables. Traditionally, real fruits were added during the brewing process, but nowadays, fruit juices or extracts may also be used to influence the flavour.
During fermentation, the addition of bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Pediococcus helps develop the sour flavours that are characteristic of many wild beers.
Wild beer co-fermentation (brewing two different types of beer in the same tank) is becoming increasingly popular and can add a whole new level of complexity to the flavour.
Additionally, wild beers often use open fermentation vessels instead of closed tanks, which allows wild yeast and bacteria from the environment around them to influence the beer’s flavour.
In contrast to popular styles like IPA, which are known for their hop-forward flavour and higher alcohol content, wild beers stand out for their tartness, complexity, and the unpredictable results of their fermentation methods.
Types and Styles of Wild Beer
Wild beer is one of the most exciting and diverse categories in the world of craft beer, offering a huge selection of styles and flavors for adventurous drinkers. What sets wild beer apart is the use of wild yeast and bacteria—like lactobacillus—which bring a signature tart flavor and sour character to these unique brews. Many wild beers are created through spontaneous fermentation, where the wort is exposed to the open air, allowing natural microorganisms to ferment the beer and create complex, surprising flavors.
Among the most iconic styles of wild beer is the lambic, a traditional sour beer from Belgium. Lambics are famous for their funky, fruity, and sour notes, often featuring flavors of cherry, peach, or even vanilla, depending on the ingredients added during fermentation. These beers are typically aged in wood barrels, which adds depth and a smooth mouthfeel to their already complex profiles.
Another popular style is the American Wild Ale, which takes inspiration from traditional European methods but allows breweries in the U.S. to experiment with local wild yeast strains and a variety of fruits, such as apples, pineapple, and peach. This results in a wide range of flavors, from tart and sour to sweet and juicy, making each batch a new adventure for your taste buds.
Gose, a style that originated in Germany, is another standout in the world of wild beers. Known for its refreshing acidity and subtle saltiness, gose often features additions like coriander or fruit, creating a light, crisp beer with a unique flavor profile. The use of lactobacillus bacteria in gose gives it a pleasant sourness that pairs perfectly with warm weather and spicy foods.
Modern breweries are constantly pushing the boundaries of what wild beer can be, experimenting with different types of wild yeast, bacteria, and fruit additions to create beers that surprise and delight. Whether aged in wood barrels for months or even years, or brewed with innovative methods, wild beers offer a world of flavors to explore.
When it comes to food pairings, wild beers are incredibly versatile. Their sour and tart flavors make them a great match for rich, fatty dishes, salty snacks, or even sweet desserts. Imagine enjoying a cherry and vanilla-infused sour beer alongside a creamy cheesecake, or pairing a pineapple and peach wild ale with spicy grilled chicken—the possibilities are endless.
With so many different types and styles to choose from, wild beer is a gift to anyone looking to expand their craft beer horizons. Whether you’re drawn to the traditional lambics of Belgium, the innovative American Wild Ales, or the refreshing gose from Germany, there’s a wild beer out there to suit every palate. Dive in, explore the many flavors, and let wild beer surprise you with every sip.
How wild beers are brewed?
So now that we know what wild beers are, let’s talk about how they are brewed.
Wild beer is made with the same ingredients as traditional beers – water, grain, hops, and yeast – but instead of using regular ale or lager yeast, brewers introduce wild microorganisms into the brew. In addition, the addition of bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Pediococcus during brewing helps develop the characteristic sour flavours of these beers.
These microorganisms produce unique flavours that are often described as earthy, funky, and tart.
The process of brewing a wild beer requires an additional step – fermentation. Brewers will typically start by pitching the yeast into the wort and allowing it to ferment, just as with a traditional beer.
However, they will then transfer the liquid into a secondary fermentation vessel that has been inoculated with either wild yeasts or bacteria, and allow them to eat away at the sugars in the beer and create different flavours. Traditionally, brewers would add real fruit during fermentation to enhance the flavour profile, though modern methods may use fruit juices or extracts instead.
Also, barrel ageing is often used to add more complexity to wild beers. Brewers will age their beer in barrels that have been previously used for aging wine, bourbon, or other spirits and allow for the flavours from the barrel to be imparted into the beer. Different methods, such as spontaneous fermentation and kettle souring, are used to achieve unique flavours in wild beers.
Conclusion
So there you have it! Wild beer export sales are on the rise and for good reason – they’re unique, complex, and downright delicious. From award-winning brewery to backyard brewers, more and more people are embracing the wild side of brewing.
If you’re looking for an exciting new beer to try, why not order or buy wild beers online or from your local brewery? Pick your favorite wild beer style—like sours, barrel-aged, or fruit beers to experience a new flavour adventure. Each beer has its own dedicated page with detailed descriptions and flavour profiles to help you choose. Remember, wild beers often feature a unique fermentation process and may be suitable for certain diets.
Read more about wild beers and brewing techniques to deepen your appreciation. You won’t be disappointed. Happy sipping!