Beer Review: Barebottle Brewing Co. – Cara Cara Bang Bang
Style: Imperial Fruited Sour
Barebottle is known for its “Bang Bang” series, which focuses on intense fruit saturations and high-gravity sour bases. Cara Cara Bang Bang specifically highlights the unique, berry-like sweetness of Cara Cara oranges, moving away from the sharp acidity of a standard navel orange.
The Profile
Appearance: Pours a thick, opaque, glowing orange-pink hue. It looks more like a fresh-fruit smoothie than a traditional beer, often with a dense, pillowy head that leaves heavy lacing on the glass.
Aroma: Immediate explosion of zesty citrus oil and sweet cream. It smells remarkably like an Orange Julius or a high-end creamsicle, with subtle floral notes and a hint of tart sourdough.
Palate: The mouthfeel is heavy and “chewy” due to the addition of vanilla and lactose (common in this series). You get a massive hit of sweet Cara Cara juice upfront, followed by a mid-palate of tangy Greek yogurt and marshmallow.
Finish: Despite the “Imperial” strength, the alcohol is dangerously well-hidden. It finishes with a sharp, puckering acidity that cuts through the sugar, leaving a lingering taste of orange zest.
This isn’t a “subtle” beer. It’s a decadent, dessert-style sour designed for people who want maximum fruit impact. It manages to balance the high ABV with enough acidity to keep it from being cloying.
Pro Tip: Because of the heavy fruit sediment, give the can a very gentle “dairy turn” (rotate it upside down slowly) before opening to ensure the fruit is fully incorporated.