Imagine a perfectly tart beer, bursting with tropical fruit, super refreshing, and with a little taste of summer in every sip. Now imagine this beer is genuinely Brazilian. That’s right: Catharina Sour is the first beer style created in Brazil and recognized internationally.
It was born in Santa Catarina, but it carries flavors and aromas from all over Brazil — from the guava of the Southeast to the cajá of the Northeast
Catharina Sour smells and tastes like it takes you somewhere: your childhood backyard, a fruit market, your grandmother’s house.
Fresh passion fruit, acerola juice, the pitanga berries from the tree… it awakens memories, and that’s part of the experience.
Look closely at the glass: golden or slightly pinkish color (depending on the fruit), natural haze, and a white foam that fades quickly.
On the nose? Real, fresh fruit — vibrant, juicy, with a light tartness that prepares your palate.
In the mouth, it’s a show:
- Light to moderate lactic acidity (like natural yogurt).
- Pronounced fruit character, never exaggerated — always fresh, never artificial.
- Light body, high carbonation, and a clean, dry finish.
Drinking a Catharina Sour is like:
- A cold waterfall plunge on a hot day.
- An alcoholic smoothie made with freshly picked fruit.
- A tropical kiss with bubbles of happiness.
But technically, what is Catharina Sour?
Though light and fun, the process has science and care behind it:
- Inspired by Berliner Weisse, but with Brazilian tropical fruits.
- Acidification done with Lactobacillus before boiling (the kettle sour method).
- Then fresh fruit or pasteurized pulp is added during fermentation.
- Fermented with neutral yeasts like US-05.
- Alcohol content? Light, between 4% and 5% ABV.
Fruits that go perfectly with Catharina:
- Guava (classic!)
- Passion fruit
- Cajá
- Pitanga
- Raspberry
- Mango
- Acerola
- And even cupuaçu, jabuticaba, cashew… just get creative!
Pairings
- Ceviche and citrus dishes
- Soft cheeses (like brie or camembert)
- Tropical salads
- Tart desserts, like key lime pie or fruit cheesecakes
Recognition that makes us proud
Catharina Sour was accepted by the BJCP as a provisional style and has already won medals in international competitions. People worldwide want to try it — because besides being delicious, it’s a liquid declaration of Brazil’s biodiversity.
If you haven’t tried one yet, find a fruit you love and go with an open heart. Because Catharina Sour isn’t just beer: it’s sensation, memory, and Brazilian soul in a glass.
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Discover more from Arte da Cerveja - Maria Anita Mendes
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