Recently London based Fourpure Brewing Company released six new beers themed around different parts of the world. Pretty funky brews they seemed too. This is not one of those beers. I bought this in addition to that bundle (and the glass of course, got to grow that branded glass collection) as a little treat because I absolutely love sour beers and this one sounded rather interesting. This is their Gooseberry and Vanilla Dry Hopped Sour ‘Coastline’ which sounds absolutely delightful if you ask me.

Visually the beer is a pale straw colour with a deep haze to it. A nice carbonation gives it a foamy white head. A lovely tartness wafts from the gooseberries on the nose and you get undertones of the vanilla mixed in. Cracking flavour from the beer as well. The beer is more of a soft tartness than incredibly sour. I haven’t had gooseberries in years but I’m fairly certain the beer has their distinctive tart flavour. There is a balance with a level of sweetness to the beer but I would not be able to identify it as vanilla in the same way I could on the nose. A hoppy finish, given to it by the dry hopping I imagine, makes this a fantastic beginner sour.

A quick note on the can art: Regardless of whether or not I’ve been impressed with the beer I’m always loving the artwork. Of course the art is of a coastline but with a hand-gliding hop makes this really funky. A keeper for sure.

My two previous Fourpure beers were a mixed bag in all honesty so buying a whole bunch was a slight risk I think. However, I’d say it’s paid off so far as Coastline is a fantastic beer. It’s not as punchy and flavour exploding as some sours are but of all the sour beers I’d have, this is the one I’d give to a beginner. It’s tart but most certainly refreshing and I’d be willing to have multiple of those in one sitting. The vanilla doesn’t come through to much in the flavour but the overall taste would be ideal to ease someone into the wonderful world of sour beer.

Score: 8/10

Thanks for reading! Cheers!

Additional Information:

• Hops: Not Available
• Malt: Not Available
• IBU: 30
• ABV: 6%
• Gluten Free: No
• Vegan: No
• Purchase Price: £3.50
• Purchase Location: Fourpure Web-Shop