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Noctarous

Four Winds Brewing Co.
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🌍 Canada · Dark Sour · One of 1 Dark Sours in hopIQ

The dark counterpart to Nectarous, conditioned on raspberries, blackberries and currants. Four Winds lists 5.9% and 3 IBU, the lowest bitterness figure in the range. The description covers a burgundy colour, cassis and ripe blackberry, a hint of spice and a tartness kept moderate. It is a limited release in 473 ml cans.

ABV
5.9%
Bitterness
Mild3 IBU
SRM
deep amber20
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Barely bitter and crisp.

Trim and gentle — the beer moves through with an unforced, easy rhythm.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Dark Sour.
Fermentation & yeast
tart
fruity
sour
Distinctive notes
berry
dark fruit
spicy
Compare with another beer →

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Noctarous

Appearance

Noctarous presents a deep burgundy hue with dark ruby tones at the edges, suggesting the weight of its berry conditioning. The beer shows good clarity with minimal cloudiness, and maintains a fine, persistent head with moderate lacing that clings to the glass. Carbonation appears restrained, appropriate to the style's emphasis on fruit character over effervescence.

deep burgundyclear with dark fruit tonesfine head retention

Aroma

The nose leads with ripe blackberry and cassis, layered with dark stone fruit notes that speak to the conditioning base. A subtle spice emerges beneath the berry-forward impression, with a gentle tartness that doesn't overwhelm the delicate aromatic balance. The overall character is fruity and inviting, without aggressive fermentation notes or hop expression.

ripe blackberrycassis and dark fruitsubtle spice note

Taste

Entry is tart but measured, with berry acidity integrating smoothly into the palate rather than dominating. Mid-palate develops layers of currant and blackberry with a dry, structured backbone that keeps the finish clean. The minimal bitterness (3 IBU) allows the fruit and natural acidity to define the beer's character, while the spice impression emerges as a faint counterpoint to the tart fruit core.

moderate tartnessberry-driven palatedry structure

Finish

The finish is dry and relatively quick, with lingering berry and blackcurrant notes that fade to a clean, tart aftertaste. The moderate tartness persists without becoming harsh or astringent, leaving the palate refreshed.

dry berry finishclean aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
78
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Noctarous

Serve at 6–9°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 6–9°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Noctarous

About Dark Sour

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Dark Sour?

Dark Sour is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Dark Sour

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same berry, tart, dark fruit character as Noctarous will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

WHERE TO BUY

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