Description
If you’re ready to step into the wild, Briar Patch is a tangy, hedgerow-inspired treat that feels like a refreshing wander through nature’s sweetest thicket. This collaboration between Hackney Church and their friends at Makemake is a vibrant, fruited sour designed to capture the essence of a British summer.
The Lowdown
The Style: A heavily fruited Sour Ale. It’s built on a soft, gentle sour base that allows the massive fruit additions to really take centre stage.
The Stats: It sits at a very approachable 4.8% ABV, making it light and crisp enough for a long afternoon.
The Look: Pours a stunning, deep pink—almost ruby—with a light, frothy head.
The Ingredients
The “tangy tangle” in this brew comes from a massive hit of dark and red berries:
The Fruit: A complex blend of strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and blackcurrants. It’s a proper fruit explosion that balances sweetness with a sharp, tart edge.
The Hops: They’ve added a touch of Belma hops, which are known for their unique strawberry and melon notes, perfectly complementing the real fruit additions.
The Grist: A mix of barley, wheat, and oat malts provides a smooth, slightly creamy body to carry the acidity.
Tasting Notes
On the nose, it’s an absolute riot of fresh hedgerow fruits and summer berries. The first sip is bright and juicy, with the sharp tang of blackcurrant and raspberry leading the way, followed by the softer sweetness of strawberry. The finish is remarkably clean and refreshing, with just enough of that “sour” zing to keep you coming back for more. It’s a masterclass in balanced fruit brewing.
