Good Intro Sours?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by ajgood04, Aug 3, 2015.

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  1. ajgood04

    ajgood04 Initiate (0) Apr 20, 2011 Illinois
    Trader

    So sours are all the rage and I'm not on the boat. I've avoided them up to this point because they didn't sound appealing. Here's what I know:

    1. I tried New Belgium's "Eric's Ale" and thought it was just way too much for my taste.
    2. I next tried "Kasteel Rouge" and thought it was great.
    3. Although not a sour, I also liked Terrapin's "Maggie's Blackberry Cobbler".

    That being said, I'm reaching out for suggestions on beers that would ease me into the world of sours. I remember first trying an IPA back in the day and thinking it was way too hoppy. Now I'm all about them. I figured I don't want to miss out on sours just because I'm not trying enough.

    I live in Chicagoland and am looking for things I can get easily that has Chicago distro. Any suggestions are appreciated.
    Thanks
     
    #1 ajgood04, Aug 3, 2015
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2015
  2. scbeerman

    scbeerman Initiate (0) Feb 16, 2015 South Carolina

    *cue someone posting about Fou' Foune*
     
    #2 scbeerman, Aug 3, 2015
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  3. Sweatshirt

    Sweatshirt Initiate (0) Jan 27, 2014 New Hampshire

    Jolly pumpkin bam series and rodenbach grand cur would be good starts.
     
    #3 Sweatshirt, Aug 3, 2015
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  4. trxxpaxxs

    trxxpaxxs Initiate (0) Mar 5, 2010 New York

    Pick up a bottle of Lindemans Cuvee Rene. It can be found in most quality beer stores and never dissapoints.
     
    #4 trxxpaxxs, Aug 3, 2015
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  5. Treyliff

    Treyliff Grand Pooh-Bah (5,025) Aug 10, 2010 West Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Monk's Cafe is a good intro sour.
     
    #5 Treyliff, Aug 3, 2015
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  6. factory

    factory Initiate (0) Jun 25, 2010 Georgia

    #6 factory, Aug 3, 2015
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  7. edhizdeid

    edhizdeid Initiate (0) Aug 18, 2013 Washington
    Trader

    Duchesse de Bourgogne is pretty easily available and a good starting point.
     
    #7 edhizdeid, Aug 3, 2015
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  8. JohnnyMc

    JohnnyMc Pooh-Bah (1,623) Feb 14, 2012 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah

    Anderson Valley Blood Orange Gose
    Wicked Weed Genesis
    Monk's Cafe
     
    #8 JohnnyMc, Aug 3, 2015
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  9. shnsajax

    shnsajax Initiate (0) Jul 2, 2013 Idaho

    Prairie Somewhere Sour
     
    #9 shnsajax, Aug 3, 2015
  10. Greywulfken

    Greywulfken Grand Pooh-Bah (5,815) Aug 25, 2010 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Petrus Aged Pale

    ...expect apple cider vinegar and you'll be fine...
     
    #10 Greywulfken, Aug 3, 2015
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  11. Ri0

    Ri0 Initiate (0) Jul 1, 2012 Wisconsin

    I'd say that one is a bit much as a beginner.

    OP try Berliner and Oud Bruin styles. More tartness than overbearing sourness.
     
    #11 Ri0, Aug 3, 2015
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  12. UCLABrewN84

    UCLABrewN84 Initiate (0) Mar 18, 2010 California

    Another vote for Lindemans Cuvee Rene.
     
    #12 UCLABrewN84, Aug 3, 2015
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  13. donspublic

    donspublic Grand Pooh-Bah (3,552) Aug 4, 2014 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I agree with the Berliner recommendation by @Ri0 , and if you want another Prairie Artisan, try the Gold. I think it has a pretty good taste and it isn't puckering sour
     
    #13 donspublic, Aug 3, 2015
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  14. SteveB24

    SteveB24 Initiate (0) Aug 29, 2013 New York

    Hmmm perhaps ones that are fruitier rather then on the super sour side? Cascade Apricot and Almanac Reserve farm strawberry come to mind.
     
    #14 SteveB24, Aug 3, 2015
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  15. Apellonious

    Apellonious Pooh-Bah (1,814) Oct 25, 2008 North Carolina
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Still working my way into sours, but my intros are Monk's Cafe,Duchesse de Bourgogne, Rodenbach Classic and Grand Cru....and of course... Silly Sour. If you can find the Bruery or local fav Wicked Weed in Chicago I would check them out as well.
     
    #15 Apellonious, Aug 3, 2015
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  16. SaisonRichBiere

    SaisonRichBiere Pooh-Bah (2,033) Mar 23, 2011 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere and La Roja
    Cuvée De Jacobins Rouge
    Bruery Rueuze and Sour in the Rye

    Not sure about Chicago Distro, but I would think these should be easy to get.
     
    #16 SaisonRichBiere, Aug 3, 2015
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  17. Brolo75

    Brolo75 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,134) Aug 10, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Second Duchesse de Bourgogne, first sour I really enjoyed.
     
    #17 Brolo75, Aug 3, 2015
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  18. LetsGoExploring

    LetsGoExploring Pooh-Bah (1,550) Apr 25, 2006 Connecticut
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Skip the toe, jump in with Hanssens Gueuze.
     
    #18 LetsGoExploring, Aug 3, 2015
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  19. BH712

    BH712 Initiate (0) Jan 29, 2014 District of Columbia

    I would argue DFH Festina Peche is a good intro sour. Not exceptionally complex, but not overwhelmingly tart either. Reasonably priced (4/$10) and currently available.

    For something a little punchier but equally straightforward, Victory Sour Monkey is also great.
     
    #19 BH712, Aug 3, 2015
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  20. AllDayIPA23

    AllDayIPA23 Initiate (0) Jun 4, 2015 Georgia

    Creature Comforts Athena
     
    #20 AllDayIPA23, Aug 3, 2015
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