Hi-Wire Brewing - Sour Blonde Aged On Kaffir Lime Leaf

The Hi-Wire Sour Blonde Aged On Kaffir Lime Leaf pours a slightly hazy golden yellow, topped with a thick, pillowy white foam head. The tightly packed bubbles hold the head well, leaving a fine lace behind. Visually striking, this appealing brew, which took a total of 19 months to produce, releases aromas of its key ingredient as it’s poured: kaffir lime leaf, providing a distinctive citrusy, herbal note. These aromas evolve into candied lime peel, floral lime blossom, and a subtle hint of lime pulp. The kaffir lime leaf further adds a delicate herbal freshness and a touch of earthiness as the beer warms. There’s also a faint barnyard funk intertwined with hop spice and zesty fresh pepper-like aromas. The mixed cultures in the neutral oak barrels contribute a light lactic character, alongside notes of wood and vanilla, without overshadowing the vibrant fruit and herb tones. Additional citrus notes like Meyer lemon, pomelo, and kumquat emerge, with pale malt aromas tying everything together in a delightful olfactory experience.

The first sip greets you with a gentle tartness and subtle sourness that never becomes aggressive, but builds with each taste nicely on the palate. The freshly picked kaffir lime leaf is more subdued initially but reveals its refreshing herbal qualities as you progress through the glass. The balance of citrus and herbal notes is complemented by the yeast and mixed cultures used in fermentation, enhancing the spice flavors noticed on the nose. The pale malt profile is light, with bready, cracker-like qualities and a hint of toastiness, allowing woody and earthy notes to shine. The Sour Blonde Aged On Kaffir Lime Leaf is medium-bodied and smooth, with a light, effervescent carbonation and a long, tart, mouthwatering finish that keeps you coming back for more.

Once again the talented brewers at Hi-Wire show off their skills and dedication to the art of brewing. We’re very happy to present this beer made exclusively for the Rare Beer Club.

Drink the Hi-Wire Sour Blonde Aged On Kaffir Lime Leaf now or it can be aged up to a year for the freshest lime leaf aromas and flavors. For the food pairing, try Thai Coconut Curry with kaffir lime leaves or KLL and coconut poached chicken. Cheers!

Hi-Wire Brewing was founded in the summer of 2013 by Adam Charnack and Chris Frosaker, and it quickly rose to become one of North Carolina's fastest-growing craft breweries. Known for producing well-balanced core beers such as Hi-Wire Lager, Bed of Nails Brown, and Hi-Pitch IPA, the brewery expanded its operations in 2015 with the opening of its primary production facility, affectionately called "The Big Top." Based in Asheville, Hi-Wire operates two locations there: the main production site and the South Slope Specialty Brewery & Taproom, which focuses on wild and sour ales. Today, Hi-Wire also has locations in Durham, Knoxville, Wilmington, Birmingham, Charlotte, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Nashville.

The creation of The Big Top allowed the South Slope location to focus on experimental brewing, particularly barrel-aged beers and sour ales. This month, they’re showcasing their Sour Blonde Aged On Kaffir Lime Leaf as an exclusive feature for the Rare Beer Club, as well as their 10W-40 imperial stout – a super limited release they’re making available to our members. (If this is your first Rare Beer Club shipment, you may receive just one, or both, of these beers.) With a pilot system at South Slope, Hi-Wire can experiment with recipe development and small-batch creations, like the ones offered this month. Hi-Wire has been on our radar for a while, ever since our visits to the World Beer Festivals in North Carolina. Their knack for successfully brewing both traditional styles and innovative concoctions keeps us coming back. This circus-themed brewery is also committed to charitable outreach, collaborates with local artists, and prioritizes sourcing local ingredients. They aim to create a welcoming space for friends to gather, and we’re thrilled to highlight both their latest Rare Beer Club exclusive and their limited release stout.

You can find some of Hi-Wire’s core beers in the southeastern U.S., including Bed of Nails Brown Ale, Hi-Wire Lager, and a range of flagship IPAs like Hi-Pitch Mosaic IPA, Lo-Pitch Hazy IPA, and Double Hi-Pitch IPA. They also offer a rotating selection of session sour beers alongside seasonal and specialty releases. Over the years, Hi-Wire has earned several accolades, including being named Best New North Carolina Brewery in 2013 by RateBeer and winning gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival: in 2016 for a German-style märzen, in 2019 for a sour brown ale aged on Palo Santo wood, and in 2021 for a Japanese Dry Rice Lager made with Ben’s American Sake Koji.

No reservations are needed to visit any of Hi-Wire’s taprooms, which also offer space for private events. The Big Top features its own beer garden and hosts large-scale events, where you can enjoy a pint next to the very tanks where the beer was brewed. Hi-Wire currently distributes draft and bottled beer across North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana, and Virginia. They also ship to additional states via their Online Beer Shop. For the latest updates, visit hiwirebrewing.com.