Best commonplace sours?

Goose Island Sophie is a great gateway Saison/Sour IMO

 

Tilquin isn't super readily available but it is the best non-one-off gueuze, PERIOD. It has come first in multiple blind tastings featuring Cantillon, Drie Fonteinen, et al. Their fruited variants aren't all that good in my opinion.

Girardin 1882 Black Label often comes in second in said blind tastings against the big names.

Oud Beersel is great and easily available.

Boon Mariage Parfait series and any of their Vat xx releases are great for the price.

Lindeman's Cuvée Rene Gueuze and Kriek are both awesome with price and availability factored in.

Rodenbach Grand Cru, Vintage, and Caractere Rouge are all superb.

New Belgium La Folie and Le Terroir are pretty easy to get and are delicious.

Mikkeller Spontans are hit-or-miss, but the good ones are easy to get with a little research.

 

For a good "Training Wheels" sour, I usually suggest Duchesse De Bourgogne. It's readily available in bottles and on tap around here. As far as the general "Belgian" question goes, anything by Unibroue, and Ommegang, should be available to you. Also, the various Chimay's are all worthy.

I realize that I'm probably in the minority (again), but I don't think that La Folie, or any of New Belgiums sours are worth the money. YMMV, so it's probably worth giving them a shot for yourself.

 

I like pretty much anything you find from the major lambic producers.
Boon Gueuze is cheaper than Cuvee Rene out here. I like it a tiny bit more, too. Both are excellent, especially at a $9-12 price point.

 

Rodenbach Grand Cru in 4-packs is a no-brainer -- $4 for a bottle of world class sour beer.

Petrus Aged Pale Ale in 4-packs is another no brainer.

If your bottle shop will let you buy singles, get one of each of those, maybe throw in a 375ml of Lindemans Cuvee Rene Oude Geuze or Boon Oude Geuze, and you're sittin' pretty.

 

Main question: Anderson Valley Gose

Side question: Orval!

 

Main question: Lindemans Cuvee Renee Kriek Gueuze.

Side question: Duvel.

 

2nd Shift Katy

Side question: Unibroue has some great offerings.