Sour beer, post a good example.

I'f you're coming to San Diego you need to check out Council, Toolbox, Gaslamp Brewing (very very new), Lost Abbey, etc... 32 North also makes a fruited Berliner Weisse called Landfall and it rules. They always do a different fruit too.

 

Yeah, the vinegar smell is normal and probably intended! Some of the souring bacteria can create acetic acid, which is essentially concentrated vinegar.

 

Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere

 

Forgot to even give a suggestion:

I will echo Toolbox in San Diego if you are headed down there.... great selection and variety of sours.

From stores/bottle shops, I would look for Crooked Stave and Jolly Pumpkin if you can find 'em. Depends what state you live in, but they distro to quite a few, I believe.

 

Hope you're looking to get your hands on some wine and bourbon barrels.

 

This is a really difficult question because to me, the term "sour" is kind of generic. Some people love fruity lambics but hate Oud bruins. All of the above suggestions are great beers for a "sour" newbie; however, just keep in mind when trying, do not write off all sour beers just because you are not partial to a particular style.

 

I cant believe i forgot about Lost Abbey! Red Poppy is killer!

 

that is what i was about to say...arent we all looking for RR sours?

 

I think New Belgium La Folie is pretty basic and delicious

 

Are these worth it? I see a few here at the liquor stores but they are all around $30 a bottle. I think I have seen blackberry, apricot and elderberry. I cant afford it now but it would be nice to know I have some top notch sours right there if I am ever feeling froggy enough

 

I dig em, they are a little steep in price, but definitely worth a try.

 

I can usually find Supp and/or Concecration without a problem when they get released.

I've personally never bought a bottle because they're a little pricey but I've had The Vine and it was killer. People talk crap about Cascade because it's just one of those sour breweries that's always available and not really "special". Any average joe can go pick up a bottle versus something like Upland which is a bit harder to get.

 

Hanssens Geueze
3F Golden Blend

Rodenbach Grand Cru (on tap)
Cuvee des Jacobins

 

This one was amazing From Avery Brewing in Colorado...

 

Rodenbach Grand Cru and Boulevard Hibiscus Gose are the only two of that style that I haven't spit out, so maybe that's saying something

 

Awesome beer. I have the Tequila barrel aged one with Lime + Salt as well that I can't wait to try.

 

This was delicious and it's from San Diego!

 

Duchesse du Borgogne, Ithaca golden luminous, bruery sour in the rye, squatters fifth element, russian river in general.

 

de Garde from Tillamook, Oregon if you can get any of their Bu or Rouge or Petit

 

Honestly I kind of like that about them, if it's of a similar quality to a sour I would have to wait in line at a brewery for and probably get charged just a tad less, then I think that's awesome. The pricing definitely makes it a special occasion beer though.