Firestone Walker Brewing Co Primal Elements

What the brewers say

“Pineapple, mango, and tangerine sour ale ripened in oak barrels.”

What our panel thought

“Tropical fruit–punch notes jump out of the glass, giving the impression of nectar-like richness. The nose is tropical and inviting, almost like a fruit smoothie. Fruit-punch notes carry through into the flavor, but the nectary sweetness is tempered by a healthy dose of tart acidity with each flavor element deftly complementing the other. Incredibly smooth for a sour beer and drinks almost like a delicious beverage found at a beach-juice shack. Perfect balance of all the elements.”

What our editors thought

“Tropical cocktail nose with punchy pineapple, warming earthy mango, and a burst of higher-key citrus—juicy without reservations. The sip is equally gorgeous and far less sweet than expected, with beautifully structured acidity and bitterness that provide the perfect support for fruit top notes. It trades away some ‘beer’ flavor in favor of the tropical excess, but you won’t miss it.”