Beer of the week: Vice Mixed Berries from Wild Barrel Brewing Company

Beer Name: Vice Mixed Berries

Brewery: Wild Barrel Brewing Company

Style: Sour Berliner Weisse style

ABV: 5.6%

Fresh off of celebrating its first anniversary, Wild Barrel Brewing Company has become known around the county for the brewery’s multiple IPAs and fruit-bursting variations on the Vice sour. With fruits including guava, apricot, passionfruit, cherry and many more, the beer is a palate pleaser for a variety of taste buds. The San Marcos brewery was fo-founded by three friends: beer expert “Dr.” Bill Sysak of Stone Brewing and Master Pairings, Bill Sobieski as head brewer, and Chris White as president. Wild Barrel rolls onward with craft and independent beer fans cheering on the next variation in the queue. Vice Mixed Berries, one of the latest releases, is made with strawberries, blackberries and boysenberries.

What’s with the name? San Diego Vice is a clever twist on the name, Berliner Weisse, which is a style of sour that was most popular in the city of Berlin, Germany during the late 19th century.

What to expect: Pours magenta with a pink head and has aromas and flavors of juicy strawberries, raspberries and blackberries.

Dr. Bill says: “Vice Mixed Berries, aka Mixed Berry Bomb, is a luscious beer that has a big burst of tart berries in both the aroma and flavor. Equally satisfying for a sour beer aficionado, someone who has never had a sour beer, or even a connoisseur of red wines.”

Master Pairings suggestions: Bucherondin and Brillat-Savarin cheeses, strawberry spinach salad, duck breast or cheese cake.

This beer gal’s take: This beer is so quaffable and refreshing, you’ll look down and forget you were drinking an alcoholic beverage. Fans of kombucha and rosé wine will also love the different varieties, especially this vibrant magenta version. Pair this beauty with a chocolate lava cake with raspberries (or any dark chocolate for that matter), and let the “Mmm” escape from your lips.

Where can I buy it? Look for Mixed Berries at the Wild Barrel tasting room and in bottle shops like Holiday Wine Cellar, Bottlecraft North Park, San Diego Wine & Beer Company and others around the county.