With 145 years of fermentation experience, Chr. Hansen has streamlined the sour beer process with the introduction of Harvest LB-1 — a process where kettle-soured beer could be brewed predictably and consistently in just 16 hours . Harvest LB-1 is the company’s addition to the SmartBev range; it is freeze-dried, direct-inoculation culture of Lactobacillus plantarum sourced from Spanish grape must, designed to optimize production while offering producers great results in every brew.

Modern day sours offer customers a light taste and fruity notes from the addition of ingredients like raspberry, yuzu, elderflower, or combination infusions, which makes them ideal for the consumer who wants a lighter twist on conventional beers and those who are taking an initiative on the health-conscious scale by moderating their alcohol consumption with a lower content. 

The last few years have seen significant growth in the sour beer category, with sales up by 40 percent in 2019 and 43 percent the previous year. Producers interested in increasing their products in this market are actively seeking to make improvements to the consistency and quality of outcomes while preserving the unique and characteristic flavors that set sour beer apart. 

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