Brazil’s craft beer scene has been rapidly evolving over the past decade, carving out a distinct identity that often blends local flavors and innovative brewing techniques. Among the various styles gaining traction, Catharina Sour stands out as a uniquely Brazilian creation that has captured the attention of beer enthusiasts both domestically and internationally. Known for its approachable tartness and vibrant fruitiness, the style embodies Brazil’s tropical spirit. Let’s dive into the top breweries pioneering this style, their signature brews, and their contributions to the expanding world of sour beer.
The Emerging Craft Beer Landscape in Brazil
Brazil’s craft beer revolution started gaining momentum in the early 2010s, shifting focus from the dominance of large industrial breweries to smaller, independent operations producing innovative and flavorful beers. Craft brewers across the country began exploring traditional formulas, modern techniques, and indigenous ingredients to develop unique profiles that reflect Brazil’s diverse cultural and natural heritage.
In particular, sour beers saw an exciting surge, but rather than solely replicating European or American sour styles, Brazilian brewers created Catharina Sour—a style that leverages local fruits and lactobacillus to produce a balanced, refreshing, and eminently drinkable sour beer. Named after the state of Santa Catarina, this style has become a flagship for Brazilian craft brewers aiming to showcase their creativity and local terroir.
Key Breweries Championing Catharina Sour
A number of breweries have become synonymous with Catharina Sour production, playing pivotal roles in developing and popularizing the style. These breweries not only produce exemplary sour beers but also innovate, share knowledge, and participate actively in Brazil’s vibrant sour beer community.
- Hoppy Brewing Co. – Known as one of the earliest adopters and champions of Catharina Sour, Hoppy Brewing Co. is based in Santa Catarina and has a diverse range of sour beers that often highlight regional fruits like jabuticaba and maracujá (passion fruit).
- Way Beer – Also located in Santa Catarina, Way Beer has been instrumental in crafting Catharina Sour with a focus on combining tropical fruit flavors with mild acidity, striking a perfect balance that appeals widely to both sour novices and aficionados.
- Cervejaria Mistura Clássica – Operating in the heart of Brazil’s southern region, Mistura Clássica has built a reputation for its creative fruit infusions and traditional lactobacillus fermentation methods, generating flavors that evoke Brazil’s luscious natural bounty.
- Troll Cervejeira – Troll Cervejeira has contributed significantly by pushing the boundaries of sour brewing through experimental batches and collaborations, broadening the scope of Catharina Sour’s flavor profiles.
Signature Beers Defining the Catharina Sour Experience
Each brewery’s approach to Catharina Sour is reflected in their flagship offerings that have become staples for fans of the style.
- Hoppy Brewing Co.’s “Sour Jabuticaba” – This brew elegantly balances the delicate tartness of lactobacillus with the distinct berry flavor of jabuticaba, a fruit native to Brazil. The result is a smooth, fruity sour that appeals to a wide audience.
- Way Beer’s “Passion Sour” – Showcasing maracujá, or passion fruit, this sour beer bursts with tropical aroma and flavor while maintaining a crisp acidity that refreshes the palate.
- Mistura Clássica’s “Mixed Berry Catharina” – This beer combines multiple berries with a subtle complexity from spontaneous fermentation, creating a layered sensory experience.
- Troll Cervejeira’s “Collab Fruit Sour” – Often featuring collaborations with local farmers or other brewers, Troll’s batches experiment with exotic fruits and creative fermentations, resulting in a distinctive and dynamic sour beer variation.
Innovative Brewing Techniques and Approaches
What differentiates Catharina Sour from other sour beers is not just the ingredients but the brewing philosophies and techniques employed by these breweries.
Most Catharina Sour beers use lactobacillus bacteria to produce a gentle and controllable sourness, unlike harsher wild fermentations. This method allows brewers to achieve a predictable yet vibrant tart flavor. The addition of fresh, tropical fruits native to Brazil plays a crucial role in achieving a balanced sweetness and tartness that complements the sour base rather than overwhelming it.
Innovation also comes from how the fruits are integrated — from direct addition in fermentation tanks to using fruit purees or experimenting with timing and temperature to maximize aroma and flavor retention. Some breweries even employ barrel aging or blending to create more complex profiles, broadening the style’s horizons.
Experiencing Catharina Sour: Brewery Tours and Tastings
For beer enthusiasts visiting Brazil, several breweries offer immersive tours and tasting experiences that showcase the journey of a Catharina Sour from raw ingredients to the final glass.
Hoppy Brewing Co. and Way Beer, in particular, welcome visitors to their facilities in Santa Catarina, where guests can learn about the fermentation process, see the brewing equipment in action, and taste fresh and barrel-aged versions of Catharina Sour. These tours often include insights into the sourcing of local fruits and the challenge of maintaining quality and consistency in sour beer production.
Participating in these brewery experiences not only deepens appreciation for the style but also connects visitors with Brazil’s thriving craft beer culture.
Spreading the Catharina Sour Culture Beyond Brazil
Brazilian breweries have made significant efforts to promote Catharina Sour on the international stage, participating in beer competitions, festivals, and collaborative brewing projects worldwide.
The style’s approachable acidity and vibrant fruitiness make it appealing to global markets seeking fresh and distinct beer experiences. By exporting bottles and kegs, as well as engaging in international collaborations, breweries have raised awareness and appreciation for both the style and Brazilian craft beer more broadly.
Furthermore, the camaraderie among sour beer brewers worldwide has helped integrate Catharina Sour into the broader sour beer narrative, highlighting its distinctiveness and the Brazilian terroir it represents.
Spotlight: Voices from the Breweries
To understand the passion behind Catharina Sour, we reached out to brewers from some of these pioneering breweries:
Lucas Silva, Head Brewer at Hoppy Brewing Co. shares, “Catharina Sour is more than a style for us—it’s a celebration of Brazilian biodiversity. We strive to highlight local fruits in a way that is respectful to their natural flavors, offering a sour beer that’s approachable yet complex.”
Mariana Costa, Brewmaster at Way Beer, notes, “Our mission has always been to make beer that excites and invites everyone in, especially those who might not be sour beer experts yet. Catharina Sour is perfect for that—it’s refreshing with a hint of tartness, very tropical, very Brazilian.”
João Mendes, from Cervejaria Mistura Clássica, adds, “By experimenting with spontaneous and mixed fermentation alongside traditional techniques, we try to push the boundaries of what Catharina Sour can be. We see every batch as an exploration.”
The Pioneers Driving Catharina Sour Forward
The success of Catharina Sour as a recognized and beloved craft beer style is the result of dedication from numerous breweries and individuals committed to innovation, quality, and cultural expression. From carefully selecting local fruits to refining brewing techniques and educating consumers, these pioneers have firmly placed Brazilian sour beers on the global craft beer map.
Their work highlights the importance of tradition intertwined with experimentation, echoing Brazil’s dynamic culture in every glass of Catharina Sour. As the style continues to grow, these breweries remain central figures, inspiring new generations of brewers and beer lovers alike.
