Must try Wild Ales?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Jeff1956, Jul 3, 2018.

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  1. Jeff1956

    Jeff1956 Initiate (0) Dec 22, 2016 Indiana

    I just retired and I would like to start traveling to some of the breweries I have not been able to visit during my working years. I am especially fond of wild and sour beers. My wife and I live in Indiana but would like to knock around the country some. Question: what are some breweries that do wild ales that we simply should not miss?
     
    #1 Jeff1956, Jul 3, 2018
  2. basaywhat

    basaywhat Grand Pooh-Bah (3,021) May 20, 2013 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Desthil in Normal, IL does a lot of sours. Wouldn't be that far to travel for you.
     
    #2 basaywhat, Jul 3, 2018
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  3. jhavs

    jhavs Grand Pooh-Bah (3,587) Apr 16, 2015 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I took a trip to Austin TX last year. Jester King is one of the best at the styles you describe and is a great place to hang out. Lots of other great breweries in the area and lots of other fun things to do. If you like straight up sours Blue Owl in Austin is a great place to check out too.
    https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/35964/

    Hill Farmstead is renowned for that style of beers. Can do a New England trip and see/do a lot of things. Hermit Thrush is a sour only brewery in VT too that you can check out while in the area.

    I have not had a chance to go, but I really would like to get to Side Project. They are another great wild ale producer in the US. This is tops on my list.
     
    #3 jhavs, Jul 3, 2018
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  4. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Jolly Pumpkin in Dexter, MI specializes in sour and wild ales. If Dexter does not fit your itinerary, they have other locations too.

    Enjoy your planning and your trip.

    Edit: Other names that should be on your list would be Russian River in Santa Rosa, CA, and Cascade Barrel House in Portland, OR.
     
    #4 PapaGoose03, Jul 3, 2018
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  5. JohnnyChicago

    JohnnyChicago Initiate (0) Sep 3, 2010 Illinois

    Penrose in Geneva, IL. Funk Factory in Madison, WI, and New Glarus in...well, New Glarus, WI.
     
    #5 JohnnyChicago, Jul 3, 2018
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  6. zid

    zid Grand Pooh-Bah (3,132) Feb 15, 2010 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    You said "knock around the country," but if I were you, I'd celebrate retirement with a Zenne valley tour instead.
     
    #6 zid, Jul 3, 2018
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  7. Jeff1956

    Jeff1956 Initiate (0) Dec 22, 2016 Indiana

    Thanks Basaywhat! Destihl is a fabulous idea
     
    #7 Jeff1956, Jul 3, 2018
  8. Jeff1956

    Jeff1956 Initiate (0) Dec 22, 2016 Indiana

    I visited Austin a few months ago, but the Jester King tap room hours are somewhat limited and they were closed during my visit. That place is HIGH on my list.
     
    #8 Jeff1956, Jul 3, 2018
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  9. Jeff1956

    Jeff1956 Initiate (0) Dec 22, 2016 Indiana

    That is Mecca and has to be part of the overall plan. I have traded emails with the blender at De Cam and would love to go visit him.
     
    #9 Jeff1956, Jul 3, 2018
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  10. mrmattosgood

    mrmattosgood Maven (1,301) Nov 6, 2010 Canada (BC)

    Side Project in St. Louis
     
    #10 mrmattosgood, Jul 3, 2018
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  11. eldoctorador

    eldoctorador Pooh-Bah (2,096) Dec 12, 2014 Chile
    Pooh-Bah

    I love Firestone Walker - SLOambic, specially on tap. From Belgium, Rodenbach - Alexander

    So Firestone Walker, and you should go to Belgium :stuck_out_tongue:

    (Also, I'm quite fond of Sam Adams - Kosmic Mother Funk (although don't know if they still bottle it)).
     
    #11 eldoctorador, Jul 3, 2018
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  12. ShanePB

    ShanePB Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2010 Pennsylvania

    I have always loved them since first sip; de Garde Brewing (Tillamook, OR).
     
    #12 ShanePB, Jul 3, 2018
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  13. Ahonky

    Ahonky Initiate (0) Feb 13, 2018 New York

    Rayon Vert was a phenomenal wild ale. RIP. I adore Allagash Little Brett.
     
    #13 Ahonky, Jul 3, 2018
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  14. Ale_Jedi

    Ale_Jedi Initiate (0) Oct 13, 2015 California

    Logsdon Farmhouse Ales in Hood River, OR are fantastic
     
    #14 Ale_Jedi, Jul 3, 2018
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  15. TonyLema1

    TonyLema1 Pooh-Bah (2,890) Nov 19, 2008 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    I hate the style, but Wicked Weed's Funkatorium in Ashville, NC gets some pretty rave reviews. When I went, I tried a couple that I heard great things about...not my thing
     
    #15 TonyLema1, Jul 3, 2018
  16. JFresh21

    JFresh21 Savant (1,036) Mar 6, 2012 Illinois
    Trader

    Based on the top ranked American Wild Ales:

    SARA (Sante Adairius Rustic Ales)
    Side Project
    Jester King
    The Lost Abbey
    Russian River
    de Garde
     
    #16 JFresh21, Jul 3, 2018
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  17. psychgawsple

    psychgawsple Initiate (0) Dec 5, 2010 Oregon

    These would be high on my list...
    • Speciation near Grand Rapids, MI
    • Side Project in St Louis, MO
    • De Garde in Tillamook, OR
    • Hill Farmstead and House of Fermentology in VT
    • Cascade Barrel House in Portland, OR
    • Ale Apothecary in Bend, OR
    • Black Project, TRVE, Crooked Stave, Trinity and more in Colorado
    • Jester King in TX
    Suarez Family brewing in Livingston, NY isn't completely focused on wild ales, but when they do put out a "country beer" (they usually have 1-2 around at any given time) it is among the best in the country. With Hudson Valley Brewery nearby in Beacon, I think you could so a great sour beer tour in the Hudson valley as well (and don't forget about Plan Bee!).
     
    #17 psychgawsple, Jul 3, 2018
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  18. sharpski

    sharpski Grand Pooh-Bah (3,100) Oct 11, 2010 Oregon
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Consider a trip to Oregon: Ale Apothecary in Bend, Logsdon in Hood River, and de Garde in Tillamook. Each are beautiful locations to enjoy the beer in its terroir.
     
    #18 sharpski, Jul 3, 2018
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  19. BruChef

    BruChef Maven (1,277) Nov 8, 2009 New York
    Society

    Upland.
     
    #19 BruChef, Jul 3, 2018
  20. Treehousehunter11

    Treehousehunter11 Initiate (0) Oct 11, 2017 Connecticut

    OEC in Connecticut makes some of the most interesting experimental sours and wild ales that I've ever tried
     
    #20 Treehousehunter11, Jul 3, 2018
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