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Ziegenhainer

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Ziegenhainer is the brewery's take on Lichtenhainer, the historic smoked sour beer of the Jena area in Thuringia, and has been part of the range since 2017. The brewery sums it up in three elements: acidity, stone fruit and smoke. Tasters confirm that picture, describing a tart first sip that gives way to a mouthful of smoke, at times with a sharp, almost vinegary edge. Light-bodied at 5 percent, it finishes dry and, according to Kemker, pairs well with sauerkraut, Iberico ham or fresh peaches.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Mild15 IBU
SRM
golden5
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
soursmokytart
sour
smoky
tart
peach
Aroma
The nose opens with pronounced smoke—direct and earthy, characteristic of the smoked malt foundation.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,spicy

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Ziegenhainer

◎ Appearance

Pale straw yellow with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that clings to the glass. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, lending a crisp visual presence without aggression. The light color reflects the minimal malt bill typical of Lichtenhainer tradition.

pale strawclearfine head lacingmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced smoke—direct and earthy, characteristic of the smoked malt foundation. Stone fruit notes emerge underneath, most notably peach and apricot, offering a delicate sweetness that contrasts with the mineral, almost bacon-like smoke. A subtle tart edge rounds out the profile, hinting at the fermentation's acidity without dominating.

smoke, baconstone fruit, peachtart, vinegary edgemineral undertone

◐ Taste

The palate arrives tart and piercing—a crisp, almost vinegary acidity that catches immediately and defines the entry. Smoke floods the mid-palate with a dry, peppery quality, while stone fruit sweetness traces a thin thread through the center. Bitterness remains restrained at 15 IBU, allowing the interplay of acidity and smoke to dominate without harsh astringency.

tart, vinegarysmoke, drystone fruit sweetnessrestrained bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and dry, with smoke lingering longest on the palate. Acidity fades quickly, leaving a mineral, almost peppery sensation that extends the aftertaste without heaviness.

dry finishlingering smokemineral aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
79
Taste
77
Appearance
78
Finish
76
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Ziegenhainer

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 Ziegenhainer

About Sour Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Sour Ale?

Sour Ale 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 Sour Ale

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

Other Sour Ales in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all Sour Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse Germany beers →