199: Alex Flores of Urban South Kettle-Sours the Hard Way

Kettle sours get a bad rap in some brewing circles, but Urban South’s Alex Flores would love to change your mind. Recalibrating and considering these beers as their own thing—rather than some faster approximation of other sour traditions—and you just might see the in a new light. They’ve definitely grown on the fans of Urban South, who’ve fallen hard for the tart beers. The brewery has nurtured a range of beers within the broader family. On one end, beers such as Cucumber Lime Gose strike a crisp and refreshing pose with light salinity, freshly juiced cucumber, and subtle tartness. On the other, heavily fruited beers thick with purée scratch that fruit-smoothie itch. Adjacent to those are more creative expressions, such as the Drip line of fruited coffee sours. Urban South is committed to exploring this particular expression of acid and fruit in beer. In this episode, Flores discusses: The importance of vigorous lactic fermentations for better-tasting beer Avoiding hop cross-contamination in the kettle Controlling oxygen when kettle souring Managing water and salinity in delicate tart beers Dialing in sweetness to highlight fruit flavors Homogenizing flavors through the mash, souring, boil, and fermentation Adjusting and tweaking flavors Processes for getting punchy natural fruit and vegetable expression Blending whole bean and ground coffee in beer additions for better results And more. In Flores’ words, “You can’t kettle-sour your way into a Cuvée de Tomme,” but that’s not the point—they shouldn’t be viewed as contemporaries with traditional, funk-forward mixed-fermentation beers. When approached with the right frame of mind, and a buttoned-up process, brewers can make exciting beers that customers love. * This episode is brought to you by: * G&D Chillers ( https://gdchillers.com ) : Born in the Pacific Northwest from a lot of hard work and singular goal, G&D has become the best damn chiller company in the world. Like you, G&D never settles—they are relentless and strive to be better every single day because they take pride in the work they do. They are craftsmen who know that "good enough" just won’t cut it. Visit G&D Chillers at the CBC, Booth #3011! Or reach out directly at GDChillers.com . BSG ( https://bsgcraftbrewing.com/ ) Even the best yeast deserves a helping hand with seltzer fermentation, which is why Pathfinder N-Pure Seltzer Nutrient ensures reliable and complete fermentation of a seltzer base, while providing a clean, neutral fermentation profile. Not to mention it provides all the essential nutrients required by yeast for production of hard seltzer bases fermented from those sweet refined sugars. Give your seltzer yeast a boost by visiting bsgcraftbrewing.com and searching for Pathfinder N-Pure Seltzer Nutrient, or call BSG at 1.800.374.2739. Old Orchard ( https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer ) : The most common complaint about hard seltzers? They need more flavor. Extract alone is a weak flavoring agent and can leave a chemical aftertaste. But there's a better way. The craft concentrate blends from Old Orchard are packed with REAL FRUIT FIRST, no added sugars, and just enough natural flavor. Breweries are turning to Old Orchard concentrates for seltzer with more body, color, and aroma. Turn seltzer skeptics into supporters with seltzer that drinks like a beer. Get started at www.oldorchard.com/brewer . Brewmation ( https://www.brewmation.com ) : With nearly 20 years of innovation and experience, Brewmation specializes in electric, steam, and direct fire brew houses, complete cellar solutions, and automated controls for the craft brewing industry. From a half barrel to thirty barrel systems, Brewmation puts you in control to design a brewery that fits your needs and brewing style. Whether you’re starting a new brewery, upgrading your cellar, or just need some parts to keep you up and running, Brewmation has you covered. Visit Brewmation.com to get started. Clarion Lubricants ( https://www.clarionlubricants.com/Welcome.do ) : There’s nothing easy about brewing beer. It’s an intricate, time-consuming art. The last thing you need to face is a recall or contamination that can hurt your pride and your pocketbook. Clarion lubricants meet strict purity and performance standards to help make your system 100% food safe. That’s protection for your equipment and your beer. So, make the switch to Clarion, and ensure your system is running smooth and safe. Go to clarionlubricants.com to learn more. Support Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast