I'm a 'traditional' DIPA/IPA and imperials beer consumer. Up until about 3-4 months ago, for me, it was the bigger ABV/IBUs, the better. As I explore other styles, I can't help but notice the lust-affair with sours and Belgians. I've just recently fired up a first order from Etre Gourmet: Cantillon Oude Gueuze, Westy 12, 3F Golden Blend. My question: short of dropping serious coin with online orders and truck-hunting Cantillon drops, what other sours/Belgians should I explore first?. As a Denver-area local, Crooked Stave's Cellar RS is really tempting for this exploration, but I've already joined the Bruery's RS and don't want to overextend myself. Thoughts on attainable/accessible sours (or should I leave this style up to the 'pros')?
Good start on an Etre order...but also try Cuvee Rene and Saison Dupont. Pretty solid standards for each style without breaking the bank...essential for getting a sense of the style first. I'd go there before ordering online or trading the farm.
if you like any of the ones i wrote, go ahead and trade the farm for the more elite ones, you won't regret it
They don't make sours, but if you want to try some relatively cheap and I assume accessible(due to location) Belgian style beers go for Ommegang, they are owned by Duvel. They make what I think are good examples of Belgian beers and they won't break the bank by any means. They distribute to all 50 states as far as I know. It might be more readily available on the east coast though.
Not 100% but I believe Russian River distributes to CO. Try and grab a bottle of Supplication. It's usually easily attainable where their beers are available. It's also a great sour. If someone hadn't already mentioned Grand Cru, I'd steer you that way first.
Yeah i wanted to do this too and did Bruery instead as it is easier for me to get to...my advice is find somebody in the area who is in the Crooked Stave club and be real nice to them.
I appreciate the feedback. I'll definitely look in to Grand Cru, Cuvee Rene and as many of these other recommendations as I can. I do have a Petrus and Supplication on hand but haven't tried either yet. Thanks again
Petrus Aged Pale, Liefmans Cuvee Brut and Gudenband are great places to start. Next I'd look for De Ranke and Drie Fonteinen which are a little harder to find and a little more expensive but are quite tasty. Also look for Fantome. Most aren't sour as much as they are "funky." But they are all tasty.
Might also give duchesse de bourgogne a shot. Nice flanders red from Belgium, relatively inexpensive. If you want to get fancy, try Tart of Darkness, a sour stout from The Bruery. You might like a slightly darker malt base for easing into sours. It seems like you have some good starters from Etre, I'd also throw in St. Bernardus and Rochefort for Belgians. Cheers!
Get Odell Friek or New Belgium La Folie. Colorado has some surprisingly good sours. That said, contrary to popular sentiment, I'd leave Crooked Stave's beers on the shelf.
Going against what you originally wanted, because these beers can be a little pricey, but I don't particularly care for Belgian style beers and have liked everything I've tried from De Dolle so far. If you can get them, it's absolutely worth looking into. http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/201
It is probably best so start with some more entry level sours (some sweetness still remaining, more attractive pricepoint). These have been mentioned before mostly but I fully agree with them: Petrus Aged Pale Duchesse de Dourgogne Rodenbach Grand Cru Boon Kriek Marriage Parfait De Ranke Kriek Goudenband If you can get RR, as it seems, once you get used you should try it, it is on par with the best of Belgium. All of the geuze blenders / brewers have their own highly personal blend, taste that they aim for. I would recommend checking out basic offers especially gueze from Boon, Tilquin, Hanssens, Cantillon, 3F first before going for specials, check out which one you like more get to know their signature. You might wind up digging Tilquin more than Cantillon. I would recommend trying some basic 3F Geuze before getting into Golden Blend so that you can clearly see difference, impact etc. De Dolle Oerbier Reserva comes also as recommended latter on. Brewery sours are good but I find them more neat simpler stuff that doesn’t warrant the price. Also I know that it might be hard to wait but Westy 12 really needs time before it gets worthwhile. You might be better of with some Pannepot especially if you can get some of the special versions, it might not be cheep but I think it beats Westy 12 by far and needs no aging.
