Wild Ale
Wild Ales are a diverse category of sour beers defined by their use of 'wild' yeast strains (typically Brettanomyces) and/or bacteria (like Lactobacillus and Pediococcus) for fermentation. These microorganisms create complex, funky, and often tart flavor profiles featuring characteristics such as barnyard, horse blanket, leather, fruit, and varying degrees of acidity. While they originated in Belgium with styles like Lambic, American craft brewers have embraced and expanded this category, often incorporating local ingredients, barrel aging, and creative brewing approaches.