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Iron Brew

Vault City Brewing
United Kingdom·Sour
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Classic Iron Brew flavour meets sour zing: sweet bubblegum, orange soda and tangy citrus, with a fizzy, nostalgic edge. It is the brewery's take on the nation's favourite soft drink, 4.8% in a 440 ml can, made with malted barley and oats. Earlier releases carried the name Iron Brew Sour, so regulars may know it under that label.

ABV
4.8%
Bitterness
Mild
Citrus hop bitterness
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
bubblegumsourorange
bubblegum
sour
orange
citrusy
tart
fruity
Aroma
The nose leads with distinctive bubblegum and candy sweetness, immediately evoking the classic soft drink character.
also:funky
not found:hoppy,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Iron Brew

◎ Appearance

Pale straw yellow with exceptional clarity and a bright, luminous quality. Fine carbonation builds a delicate white head that settles quickly to a thin collar with modest lacing. The overall impression is clean and inviting, with excellent visual definition.

pale strawcrystal clearfine carbonationwhite head

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with distinctive bubblegum and candy sweetness, immediately evoking the classic soft drink character. Bright orange and citrus notes emerge alongside subtle floral undertones from the fermentation. The aromatic profile is playful yet balanced, with no harsh or solvent-like edges.

bubblegum candyorange sodabright citrusfloral esters

◐ Taste

Entry is sweet and fruity, with pronounced bubblegum and orange soda notes that directly mirror the aroma. Mid-palate brings a controlled sour tang and tart citrus bite that cuts cleanly through the sweetness without becoming aggressive. The finish dries steadily, with residual fruit and a subtle funky character balancing the overall sweetness.

sweet bubblegumtart citrus zingcontrolled sournessdry finish

◑ Finish

The aftertaste is crisp and refreshing, with lingering orange and a dry, lightly tangy fade. The sour component persists gently without overwhelming, leaving a clean palate ready for the next sip.

crisp fadeorange persistencerefreshing dry
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
78
Finish
76
Serve at 6–9°C

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

Pint glass

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

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Iron Brew

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About Sour

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Sour?

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 Sour

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

Compare with another beer →