Little Earth Project seem to fly a little under the radar in terms of UK wild ales, but they're one of my favourites and I think it's a huge shame they don't seem to get quite the same hype as some of their peers. The onsite brewery for the White Horse Inn in Edwardstone in the heart of Suffolk, Little Earth Project have been making barrel-aged mixed ferm beers for a while using locally grown and foraged ingredients and wild yeast and bacteria. And while I have always been a big fan of their core Stupid Sexy Suffolk, a wonderful take on a Flanders red, their specials are where things get really interesting in terms of seasonality and provenance.
Just 2 barrels of the Crab Apple Sour were made by ageing sour golden ale on locally-picked crab apples for several months. It was really lively when I first opened it, and poured an incredible rusty orange colour. On the nose it was super funky, with a bit of farmyard and big aromas of apple skins (more cider apple than green apple). To drink though, it's so bright, and cleaner than you'd expect from the nose. It's tart and dry rather than really sour, and as well as apple there's hints of apricot and lemon, and a little bit of pepper. Although it's got a little bit of comforting apple fug, more than anything it's fresh and zingy, and I finished my glass far too quickly.
As well as picking up another bottle or two of this, I'm also dying to try the Elderflower & Gooseberry sour as well as their Hedgerow Blend to tide me over until I can visit in person. Not only does the White Horse Inn have its own campsite, there are two holiday chalets and a truly delicious-looking Friday food truck offering - the dream.
Poppy Simon