Sour Hound
Liquid Art

 

 

 

Poured into a tulip.
The appearance was a nice looking dark red close to brown color with a finger's worth of white foamy head that glistened as it slid off faintly. Some filmy lace ran here and there, and seemed to cling together.
The aroma had a huge apple cider vinegar up front with a nice caramel malt build to it. Light biscuit and some cherry skin tartness played underneath. Smooth sweet wood even further underneath.
The flavor moderately presented that quaint "Flanders-like" European sweet to sour smoothness rolling over the malts pretty nice and clean. Nice malt build as it makes a great play with the contrast of the sour which I liked a lot.
The mouthfeel was about medium bodied with a nice sipping quality about it. Carbonation felt fine. Nicely felt smoothness of the malts rolling over some wood sweetness and then the grip comes in on some "puckering sour" harsh feels.
Overall, seems like they may have accidentally got a brown ale infected and then this came out. However, if they did that, this actually came across fairly nice. Gotta love mistake beers, right?

 

Almost tastes like it was originally intended to be a porter, but got infected. Almost no sourness on the nose, but decent sour flavor. Not sure what would improve it but it's not very good the way it is.

In my opinion best American Sour beer out there. Pours more of an amber color then the normal golden color. This is thanks to being barreled. It also has more of a head then most American Sours. Great cola flavor with slight hint of cherry followed by a wonderfully strong sour flavor. This will make you pucker and is not a beer for ones who do not like tart or sour beers. The more you drink the more the sour flavor relaxes and gives way to the other flavors. It is closer in style to the Belgian style sours.

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a shaker pint.
Pours a nice light brown with very long lasting head. Smells fruity, somewhat like cola and I can pick up a tea aroma. Taste Holy Firkin Snit!! The first taste gives you a tea flavor followed by malt, caramel, some fruitiness and then POW!!!! the sourness kicks in. This beer will make you pucker. Very refreshing.

Overall, it was a very good beer. I will buy again.

 

 

 

Roy Pitz Brewing Co. "Sour Hound"
12 fl. oz. brown glass bottle, no apparent freshness dating
$2 @ Weis Market, Conshohocken, PA

Notes via stream of consciousness: Surprisingly good head retention for a sour ale. The body is darker in color than might initially be expected, being brown rather than gold. The aroma is surprising as well, offering dark toasty and caramelish malts with a touch of chocolate over a subtle sharp fruitiness. Some spicy esters give it a unique edge, and being winter, I immediately thought of a spiced Christmas ale (it's not nearly as full or rich though). That carries over into the flavor and it's a little like a chocolate covered cherry. It's also oaky which is interesting, and reminds me of an oud bruin. It's almost nutty, earthy, and gently leafy. The tartness isn't too strong, nor is it too malty, and the balance is perfect. I wish it was a little more intense, with more malt and clarity in the flavors that are there, but at the same time there's something really special about it's delicate and subtle nature; and that leaves it almost compellingly drinkable - I just keep going back for more. Soft in the mouth. Unique for sure! And nicely done. Worth trying.

Poured into a narrow glass: color is dense looking darker amber to near brown; head is off white with fine bubbles.

Smell is malty, toasty at first then light sourness which seems clean; lighter funky hops are slightly noticeable.

Taste is similar with a fairly malty flavor, light toast and even some caramel and chocolate; light fruitiness comes when the sour flavors come forward: definitely an earthy tea like brew as described on the website, very subtle and pleasant flavors working in this brew.

Mouthfeel is great for a less pungent sour brew: pleasant sourness with lingering qualities but not detracting from the flavor.

Overall a great sour ale with unique malt flavors and great flavor balance with wonderful sour tartness.