Sours: Help for Noobs

Been doing a little research and think I may have visit Jester King Brewery here in Austin as It looks like they may be producing some quality beers in this category

 

Welcome to the dark side. Sour is a challenging taste for a lot of people. In my opinion, people that appreciate sour tastes tend to be open about a lot of flavors that are concidered "off" or unpleasant. It's a small community compared to the doughnut sugar crowd so prices reflect that economy of production.

 

Yeah, you should probably do that.

 

I don't come here to "educate" people. I already have a job. Don't ask me to be your educator as well. Just drink,enjoy, repeat.

 

Next up: Go find a top rated gueuze. Might not hurt to win the lottery first.

 

Welcome to the world of sours. I suggest a second job.
Try the sours from Almanac

 

Noted. I won't ask you for advice or information on anything.

 

I second that sir.

Not sure how the taste came off to you but some are just sour beers and some are actually beers that have soured on purpose (aka good). If in the NW area, try Cascade as sours are just about all they do and Almanac has a good variety and rep for the style. Yes they are expensive and require selling your soul to purchase some of the top end. The three styles to try, to me, would be a lambic, geuze, and a simple (but reputable) sour to try again to see if you really do like all. IDK a lot, but trying a couple different samples of a style before I spend a few thousand on it is a good idea. Look for some good examples in local brewers (gonna say Midwest). Enjoy.

 

The dude was just asking for some help. Your post was probably meant to be cool, but it was actually stupid. If you really were totally, one-hundred percent disinterested, then you would not have posted anything at all. However, you felt the need to post something, therefore you did care in some capacity. See, the internet is much different than face-to-face conversation, where thoughts and quick whit can be verbalized easily and quickly. This is sometimes done without thought. However, your post took a very small amount of conscious effort. Therefore, you posted this, more than likely, because you thought it would funny. Or you posted this, because you wanted to let somebody know that you were unwilling to help them. Yet, you failed at both, because it was not funny and the guy was not asking you directly. So, in actuality, you are some dork on the internet that just wanted to post something to be cool in front of a group of people who you will never meet in person. Also, I doubt you would be very good at educating anybody and your "job" probably isn't really much of a job.

Cheers!

 

The sour universe has become quite big lately. The new school is super sour and acetic where as the old-school origin (Belgian lambic) is less sour (acetic/mouthpuckering sour is actually considered a defect for tradional lambic according to Armand). I lean more towards the traditional side, though I love Cantillon super-sours and Russian River. Almanac is pretty good, Jester King is very good. I think the gold standard for the US though is still Allagash. Their coolships are killer, though a few of their non-coolship wilds get quite acetic. Of course then there are your funky saisons that have a bit of sour, like Hill Farmstead.

Try what you can and remember there's no "right" with sour, it's all a matter of personal preference.

 

They are good and you need to try them all. Ask any sours fan they will agree.

 

I actually did not say that attempting to come off as an asshole. I just think someone asking a person to educate themselves on something is asking a little much from the average person just lurking and posting on a beer advocate website.

 

I hear that, but then again it seemed like OP was genially trying to get some chatter going.

 

February is the grouchiest month. When many a young man's fancy turns "sour". An occasional Cuvee des Jacobins cheers me up.

 

You're reaching.

 

Some folks like to feel important, especially when they're feeling left out and have nothing of real substance to add...have you asked your mom for a hug lately?

 

yeah you might be on to something.

 

But you did come off as an asshole.

 

Jeez louise, the guy was just asking for some help. I'm happy to lend a helping hand to a fellow BA looking to expand his palate.

Yes, you should head to Jester King immediately. Other breweries to look out for that are known for sours are:

Almanac, as previously mentioned.
Cascade (heavy price tag)
Crooked Stave
Captain Lawrence (NY based brewery that I can help you out with should you want to trade some JK)
The Bruery
Russian River
The Lost Abbey
New Glarus
Belgians - Cantillon, Cuvee de Jacobin Rouge, Duchesse de Bourgogne, Rodenbach, Gueze Mariage Parfait Boon, Gueze Tilquin a l'ancienne

If you've never had sours before, my suggestion would be to start off with something simple such as the gose style to wet your whistle. Something like Westbrook Gose or Ritterguts. Once you've done that, you're off to the races. And then get ready to dump your wallet.

 

Definitely go there. They make some of the best wild ales in the country.