I'm in Wisconsin. The best sour beers I've had were all at the great taste beer fest in Madison last summer, which is what put me on to this kick. I've had the sour made by New Belgium (called "La Folie" from their "Lips of Faith" series) and it was excellent. I had a very good one from Jolly Pumpkin, but don't recall the name. There is a good brewery here (New Glarus) that makes several different "tart" beers that are decent, but more fruity sour than yeasty sour. I'm going to look for the west coast beers you mention so thanks for the head's up. Here's the one I want to brew when I have the time and inclination to do a batch that's going to sit in my basement for 3 years before bottling: Chateau Northern Lambic Grand CruWhat are the sours you've had, and what part of the country are you in? My favorite sour is probably Temptation by Russian River. Everything they make is top notch. Also a big fan of anything from Cascade. Those are fruit sours though. Lost Abbey makes some good ones too. Those are all West Coast breweries though. I'm not as up to speed on East Coast or Mid West sours.I drank a couple Bell's Oarsman ales last night. I was at a Bells beer tasting at my local liquor store in Milwaukee last week and we were happily surprised that Larry Bell himself showed up to run the event. I've been to several of these, and the out-of-state breweries typically send a rep or maybe a mid-level brewer. It was a small group so we had a great discussion, Q/A and he told some great stories. I was somewhat disappointed that the 8 beers we sampled were all normal production Bells beers - no special batches or unique beers as I have come to expect at these things. There were a couple I had not had before, and one of them was the Oarsman. Its a session beer that has a very mild sourness to it that I really like. I've been experimenting with sour beers lately and hope to be brewing one myself soon, so am trying lots of different styles of sour beer. I appreciate any recommendations in that area. I am going for more of a natural sourness like I get with the Belgian sours, something that comes more from the yeast and grain than from fruit and other adjuncts.
Cantillon is regarded as the king of sours. They've gotten harder and harder to find though and $$$.
I've heard home brewing sours isn't easy. There are some threads on it at homebrewtalk.com
I'm in Wisconsin. The best sour beers I've had were all at the great taste beer fest in Madison last summer, which is what put me on to this kick.What are the sours you've had, and what part of the country are you in? My favorite sour is probably Temptation by Russian River. Everything they make is top notch. Also a big fan of anything from Cascade. Those are fruit sours though. Lost Abbey makes some good ones too. Those are all West Coast breweries though. I'm not as up to speed on East Coast or Mid West sours.Cantillon is regarded as the king of sours. They've gotten harder and harder to find though and $$$. I've heard home brewing sours isn't easy. There are some threads on it at homebrewtalk.comI drank a couple Bell's Oarsman ales last night. I was at a Bells beer tasting at my local liquor store in Milwaukee last week and we were happily surprised that Larry Bell himself showed up to run the event. I've been to several of these, and the out-of-state breweries typically send a rep or maybe a mid-level brewer. It was a small group so we had a great discussion, Q/A and he told some great stories. I was somewhat disappointed that the 8 beers we sampled were all normal production Bells beers - no special batches or unique beers as I have come to expect at these things. There were a couple I had not had before, and one of them was the Oarsman. Its a session beer that has a very mild sourness to it that I really like. I've been experimenting with sour beers lately and hope to be brewing one myself soon, so am trying lots of different styles of sour beer. I appreciate any recommendations in that area. I am going for more of a natural sourness like I get with the Belgian sours, something that comes more from the yeast and grain than from fruit and other adjuncts.
we'll have to hook up this year."gettin"?It's strange. Something that turns me off about some beers is their packaging. I don't want some crazy character on the label with "Hop to the max!!!" on it. I want a classy label (IMO) like Sierra Nevada. Guess I'm just gettin' old.
One of the best beers I've had is Cigar City Big Sound Scotch Ale. Where did you find that beer BTW? Somewheres in FL?Cigar City Jai Alai IPA not mentioned in here at all?Damn good, even after a bunch of whiskey.
I don't know if this topic has already been brought up, but would anyone from the West coast be interested in a regional trade? I have easy access to Bells, Goose Island, 3 Floyds, Upland, etc.Everyone's tastes are different, but I would say 3 Floyd's are our most distinct/unique regional variety. If anyone wants to trade local best of styles, let me know.Upland Dragonfly IPA
Had a few of these today watching the Manchester United game. Tasted like a poor man's Anchor Steam. For the price, it's a pretty good beer. I'll probably be drinking quite a bit of it from here on out.Interesting in that it seems to be a new craft beer being brewed locally in Cinncy.Interesting how?interestingHudepohl Amber may be my new favorite beer.![]()
I would be very interested in Upland. Can you get Sun King as well?I don't know if this topic has already been brought up, but would anyone from the West coast be interested in a regional trade? I have easy access to Bells, Goose Island, 3 Floyds, Upland, etc.Everyone's tastes are different, but I would say 3 Floyd's are our most distinct/unique regional variety. If anyone wants to trade local best of styles, let me know.Upland Dragonfly IPA
I hate bourbon, so only tried this because it was given to me as a gift by my FIL. Hated it.Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. Anyone ever try this? I had it for the first time today, very unique, I liked it a lot.![]()
Easily, I didn't think anyone outside my area would even know about Sun King.I would be very interested in Upland. Can you get Sun King as well?I don't know if this topic has already been brought up, but would anyone from the West coast be interested in a regional trade? I have easy access to Bells, Goose Island, 3 Floyds, Upland, etc.Everyone's tastes are different, but I would say 3 Floyd's are our most distinct/unique regional variety. If anyone wants to trade local best of styles, let me know.Upland Dragonfly IPA
I figure you're Indianapolis-ish? I am east coast though, not west coast.Easily, I didn't think anyone outside my area would even know about Sun King.I would be very interested in Upland. Can you get Sun King as well?I don't know if this topic has already been brought up, but would anyone from the West coast be interested in a regional trade? I have easy access to Bells, Goose Island, 3 Floyds, Upland, etc.Everyone's tastes are different, but I would say 3 Floyd's are our most distinct/unique regional variety. If anyone wants to trade local best of styles, let me know.Upland Dragonfly IPA
On vacation. We need to get the band back together soon though.Tasker, Sebowski > FIFA?
I mentioned west coast because I am a bit of a hop-head, but I am interested in trying out any local specialties from outside my area.I figure you're Indianapolis-ish? I am east coast though, not west coast.Easily, I didn't think anyone outside my area would even know about Sun King.I would be very interested in Upland. Can you get Sun King as well?I don't know if this topic has already been brought up, but would anyone from the West coast be interested in a regional trade? I have easy access to Bells, Goose Island, 3 Floyds, Upland, etc.Everyone's tastes are different, but I would say 3 Floyd's are our most distinct/unique regional variety. If anyone wants to trade local best of styles, let me know.Upland Dragonfly IPA
Always willing to share my west coast goodies.I don't know if this topic has already been brought up, but would anyone from the West coast be interested in a regional trade? I have easy access to Bells, Goose Island, 3 Floyds, Upland, etc.Everyone's tastes are different, but I would say 3 Floyd's are our most distinct/unique regional variety. If anyone wants to trade local best of styles, let me know.Upland Dragonfly IPA
I liked quite a few of their brews (120min, WWS, Aprihop, etc)DFH is meh anyway.

As far as I know, yes...I haven't asked for that Friday off of work yet, but I can't see it being an issue.You?Dan>heyyou making it to Kev's for bracfest?
I know I have to take off for a graduation in Texas the next weekend, but I'm going to try to get there for at least Saturday. I'm not on the same level of beer expertise as any of you guys, but with it being only two hours from my house I'll try to at least drive by, roll down the window and yell "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!"As far as I know, yes...I haven't asked for that Friday off of work yet, but I can't see it being an issue.You?Dan>heyyou making it to Kev's for bracfest?
I wouldn't mind joining in,being from Wisconsin I could provide Wisconsin brews, Ale Asylum, Tyranena, O'so, Central Waters, and the ever popular New Glarus.I don't know if this topic has already been brought up, but would anyone from the West coast be interested in a regional trade? I have easy access to Bells, Goose Island, 3 Floyds, Upland, etc.Everyone's tastes are different, but I would say 3 Floyd's are our most distinct/unique regional variety. If anyone wants to trade local best of styles, let me know.Upland Dragonfly IPA
Promo at a local bar next Saturday with at least the bolded as well as the younger. Opens at 10:30 am. Should I be waiting outside at 10:15?Heading up to this taplist later. Was there last night too
# Russian River
* Aud Blonde
* Blind Pig IPA
* Compunction
* Consecration
* Damnation
* Dead Leaf Green
* Mortification
* Perdition
* Pliny the Elder
* Redemption
* Rejection
* Russian River IPA
* Salvation
* Sanctification
* Temptation