New Glarus Wild Sour Ale

The only sours I have had have been this and ng Berliner Weiss. Berliner Weiss was decent and I really liked this wild sour ale. How does this compare to other sours? If I really like this should I be pursuing more sours?

 

Yes.

 

The answer is obviously "no".

 

Enigma was very good and their last batch of Berliner was amazing. I have very high hopes for this.

 

Berliner Weiss isn't technically a sour even though it has the tart flavor from the grapes. The Sour Ale has some wild yeast being introduced. And yes, it goes without saying, buy the hell out of this. A beer like this from most other breweries would be in a bomber and cost $15/bottle. Between this and Berliner Weiss the Thumbprints have taken off after that slow start.

 

In this regard New Glarus is a cut above no matter the format the most you'll spend is 13 bucks and some change. (Not counting cases)

 

In most cases I would agree. However, the Winter Warmer wasn't worth $10 to me. Anyway, has anybody seen in around La Crosse?

 

Berliner weisses typically soured using bacteria from unmashed grain, right? I'm pretty sure...

 

They can be using the sour mash method in which the grain is allowed to rest at optimal temperature so the natural lactobacillus has an opportunity to ferment the beer without any yeast being introduced. However, there are many bacterial varieties available without the use of any sour mash methods to mimic the characteristics. It's entirely up to the brewer at that point. I've only done one berlinner wiesse while homebrewing and I used the sour mash method - while the beer is tasty there is a minuscule "rotten grain" characteristic that has been off-putting to some friends who I've shared it with.

 

How does this compare to other sours?

 

Send me some in New York, and I'll let you know how it compares to other sours (or Berliners)

 

Oh, teamwiggum, about this new NG beer.......

 

Here's what the label says: "Naturally soured by farm valley winds blowing wild yeast into our oak casks. Finally after a year and a half of patient coaxing, Wisconsin dark malts swirl in a kaleidescope of cedar, caramel, and tart green plum exhuberence."

Having had one myself yesterday (albeit after a scathingly hopped IIPA, effectively de-sensitizing me toward nuanced flavors) I'd say it's similar to a mild Oud Bruin or Flanders Red. Slightly more sour than Enigma, also less fruit (almost certainly no fruit at all was used), it was really an easy drinking sour. Nearly everything that NG makes is on the money, you really cannot go wrong choosing this.

 

Berliner Weisse is technically a sour ale. 17a of BJCP guidelines.

 

Nothing very technical about it - you taste a BW and it's sour and lactic, otherwise it's just a wheat beer.

NG BW is great, look forward to this release as well.

 

quick report: it is a not crazy sour, just slightly more sour than the Berliner Weisse. Really easy to drink, by sour standards, i will be buying more tonight.

 

Anyone know when this is coming to Hudson or Eau Claire?

 

Just spoke with a friend at Bill's Distributing in Menomonie and it is in and will be sent out to the stores Monday.

 

Oh, man, moving to Madison in a month. I hope some of this is still left for me!