Hard to pronounce but easy to drink, Beerfarm’s Shiravignon is the 2022 iteration of their annual wine hybrid sour project with neighbours LS Merchants. For this version, they’ve utilised four tonnes of sauvignon blanc and shiraz grapes to produce a strikingly sour, juicy hybrid ale.
A Ribena-like pour isn’t the only vibrant component of this beer, with a big nose of dark fruits like cherry, raspberry and plum. A freshly-pressed red grape must note is also prominent, followed by a gentle leafiness. On tasting, there’s no doubt grapes feature here: wild fermented and blended into fresh wort, in fact.
A boosted ABV compared to previous versions adds texture, while grape skins contribute some drying but moreish tannin and lasting, chalky texture. Acid is moderate but suits the grape-derived flavour profile well; it lasts long into the finish alongside fresh berry and a gentle, sherry like note.
A complete shift for this annual release that's been given new life thanks to a change in direction and grape variety, albeit still delivered to the same high Beerfarm x LS Merchants standard.
Jono Outred
Published May 14, 2022 2022-05-14 00:00:00
