Smooth Criminal

Smooth Criminal by Arches Brewing is a Catharina Sour and is being evaluated as a Catharina Sour (category X4 in the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Catharina Sour is a Brazilian style that marries fruit (usually tropical) with a lactic sourness. Catharina Sours are stronger than a Berliner Weisse (but with fruit) but less sour than a fruit lambic.

Smooth Criminal pours golden in color with a slight haze and an off-white head that fades. The aroma is light citrus and tropical fruit along with a light lactic note. The flavor is moderate lactic sourness with a carbonic bite that is balanced by light tropical fruit flavor. The beer finishes just lightly bittered with a moderate lactic sourness and light tropical fruit.

Smooth Criminal is a well-brewed lactic sour that provides a clean, refreshing acidity. However, the fruit levels are on the low side for the Catharina Sour style. Regardless, it is a clean and refreshing lactic sour beer that most will enjoy. Saúde!