Another BA won over by a sour

If you enjoyed the duchesse I would look for Rodenbach grand cru next. It is very good, easy to find, and affordable.

 

Welcome to your wallet's worst nightmare...

 

Try searching for threads like this, as they pop up pretty often. For example:
http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/looking-for-recommendations-on-sours.32172/

 

Stick with Flanders Reds and Oud Bruins until your ready for a nice dry Geuze or Kriek.

 

Duchesse was my gateway sour too.

New Belgium La Folie, Rodenbach Grand Cru, and petrus aged pale are all easy to find and tasty. And then get ready for an expensive journey into sour land.

 

Welcome to the club! I'd also try some tart/funky beers made with Brett (also not true "sours," but delicious none the less) like Saison-Brett, Orval, Petrus Aged Pale and any berliner weisse you can get your hands on. Enjoy the ride, you'll be craving Cantillon in no time, cheers!

 

These should be easy to find:
1. Rodenbach Grand Cru - a true classic (this brewery makes only this one type of beer, unlike many others for whom Flemish Reds are just one beer in their stable)
2. Petrus Old Pale
3. Liefmans Goudenband

Not available everywhere, but obtainable and certainly worth the effort to track down:
1. Russian River Supplication
2. Russian River Consecration
3. The ``3 sisters'' from Goose Island: Lolita (available now), Juliet (out soon), Madame Rose (out soon)

 

In all seriousness, if you are up for some trading, go for:
Russian River Supplication
RR Temptation
RR Consecration

Try them in that order, as I believe that the sour brown (Supplication) is going to be the closest to what you tried. The Blonde (Temptation) might be my favorite, and Consecration is a brown, but super strong, and super sour with a nice fruit addition (currants). Those are three great sours, for sure.

 

I highly recommend RR Sanctification. I'm sure you could trade for it very easily.

Another beer which would be very easily attainable and is a good gateway sour would be NB Tart lychee. Tart, sweet, oaky, very well balanced and really easy drinking.

 

I forgot to mention Lindeman's Geuze Cuvee Renee. Should also be easy to find.

 

Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour is good intro. as well.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/48/10482

 

Cuvee Des Jacobins Rogue is a logical step up from the Duchesse as is Rodenbach as mentioned.

 

D'oh! Just thought of another one. Jolly Pumpkin La Roja. Also not hard to find.

 

move on to somethhing mild like a 3F oude kriek

 

Agreed with the rogue, and Karl Strauss flan diddly anders. Great starts not too heavy on the wallet. Alesmiths Grand Cru pretty good bang for your buck, RR consecration is a home run for me though.

 

Rodenbach Grand Cru is my favourite all-time sour but sadly has not been available (at least in MN) for about 6 months now. Cuvee De Jacobins, Oak-aged Petrus and of course Duchess best available IMHO on the shelf right now. Just tried Sam Adams' Stony Brook Red and thought it was an outstanding sour, especially for $8.99...anyone else try it?
Cheers,
Paul

 

Congrats. Now say goodbye to your wallet.

 

Consecration is the bomb, just not available hrere.