Created in conjunction with the National Portrait Gallery (NPG), Capital Brewing Co.’s new ale is designed to reflect the “sometimes sweet, sometimes sour nature of romantic love”.

The Pucker Up Pear & Elderflower Sour has been brewed for the NPG’s upcoming exhibition, Australian Love Stories, and will launch in venues around Canberra on Sunday 14 February, Valentine’s Day.

The beer is meant to be both sweet and sour on the palate to reflect some of the themes and the stories in the exhibition, and Capital Brewing Co.’s lead brewer, Matt Thiele, said the name has a bit of a double meaning.

“‘Pucker up’ is of course the vernacular for a kiss, and one sip of this sour will definitely make you pucker your lips,” he said.

The exhibition will open on Saturday 20 March and celebrates love in all its guises, from the romantic to the platonic. It draws on treasures from the Gallery’s collection and features more than 200 artworks including photography, painting, works on paper and small objects.

There is also the opportunity to explore more than 60 stories online, with some artworks included that weren’t able to be physically borrowed for the exhibition.

“We’re thrilled to partner with this dynamic Canberra company, who explored a number of stories and themes in the exhibition to create this inspired, delightful new brew,” said NPG director, Karen Quinlan.

“The elderflower was chosen as a key ingredient, because it has historically been regarded as an aphrodisiac, used to ward off evil spirits, and to symbolise regeneration – all of which are relevant when talking about romantic love.”