Beer Review: Alvarado St. Double Prickly Pear Sour (#margtime)
Style: Imperial Sour Ale (Margarita-Inspired)
ABV: 8.0%
IBU: Not listed (likely very low, as expected for a sour)
Brewery: Alvarado Street Brewery (Monterey, CA)
“Margarita-inspired Imperial Sour Ale with Prickly Pear, Lime, Orange Zest & Agave Nectar”
Appearance: This beer is a visual stunner! Pours a vibrant, almost electric fuchsia or magenta, entirely opaque. It’s truly a sight to behold, immediately evoking the vivid hues of prickly pear fruit. A thin, quickly dissipating pinkish-white head forms, which is common for sours, but the liquid itself is the star of the show. It looks exactly like a fancy, fruit-laden margarita.
Aroma: An immediate assault of tropical and tangy fruit notes. The dominant prickly pear comes through with a unique, sweet-tart, slightly earthy berry character. This is beautifully complemented by bright, zesty lime and a subtle hint of sweet orange from the orange zest. There’s a clean, lactic sourness underpinning it all, and a faint sweetness that suggests the agave nectar. It truly smells like a well-crafted prickly pear margarita.
Taste: A bold, exciting rollercoaster of sweet, sour, and fruity flavors. The prickly pear is upfront and unapologetic, delivering a juicy, almost watermelon-like sweetness mixed with its signature tartness. The lime follows closely, providing a strong, zesty, and authentically “margarita” pucker. The orange zest adds a layer of citrus complexity, rounding out the tartness with a touch of aromatic sweetness. The sourness is robust but balanced, not overwhelmingly mouth-puckering, thanks to the fruit and the agave nectar, which adds a subtle, smooth sweetness on the finish. Despite its richness, it remains remarkably refreshing. The 8.0% ABV is incredibly well-hidden, making this an alarmingly easy drinker.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with a smooth, slightly syrupy consistency, yet it retains a crisp, effervescent quality from the carbonation. It’s not thick or heavy; rather, it coats the palate with its fruity goodness. The sourness provides a lively tingle, and the finish is surprisingly clean for an imperial sour, with the tartness lingering pleasantly.
Alvarado Street’s Double Prickly Pear Sour is an absolute triumph for fans of fruit-forward sours and anyone who loves a good margarita. It’s exceptionally well-crafted, delivering on its “margarita-inspired” promise with uncanny accuracy. The color, aroma, and taste all scream “prickly pear margarita,” but in a deliciously drinkable beer format. The balance between sweet fruit, zesty lime, and clean sourness is spot on, and the hidden ABV makes it dangerously enjoyable. This is a perfect warm-weather crusher or a unique treat anytime. Highly recommended for those who enjoy big fruit sours and are seeking something truly distinctive. It’s a party in a can!