Mast Landing Medley Apple Blackberry Cranberry

Mast Landing's Medley Apple Blackberry Cranberry is a fruited sour beer from the Maine brewery, built around three fruits that each bring something different: apple for a crisp, juicy tartness, blackberry for deep, jammy dark-fruit color and a slightly seedy edge, and cranberry for a sharp, dry-leaning acidity. Fruited sours in this style usually show a bright pink-to-ruby hue, a lively acidic snap up front, and very little hop bitterness, so the fruit and acidity carry the beer rather than malt or hops. Expect a gentle, clean grain backbone that stays out of the way, and a finish that is tart and lightly puckering rather than sweet. The cranberry and apple pairing gives the beer an autumnal leaning, so it works well at the table with foods that have some richness to cut. Roast turkey or chicken with herbs, pork loin with apple or mustard, and a board of sharp cheddar, brie or fresh goat cheese all suit its acidity. Charcuterie and salty cured meats benefit from the same contrast. For something lighter, try it with a salad of bitter greens, nuts and dried fruit, or with a tart-style dessert such as a plain cheesecake, where the beer's acidity keeps pace with the sweetness. Serve it well chilled but not ice-cold, roughly 40 to 48°F (4 to 9°C). Cold temperatures keep the acidity crisp, while a few minutes out of the fridge lets the blackberry and apple aromas open up. A tulip glass or stemmed beer glass is the best fit, since the narrowing rim concentrates the fruit aromas and the stem keeps warm hands away from the bowl. A standard pint glass or wine glass also works well if that is what you have.