Sours: Help for Noobs

Rodenbach Grand Cru is fantastic, got me hooked on sours and still come back to it again and again. Duchesse de Bourgone and Monks Cafe are also good, but a bit more on the sweet/creamy side IMO.

 

Don Quijote

 

If you're in an area of PA that gets stuff from Full Pint (in Pittsburgh), you should give their Strawberry Beliner Weisse a try. Just had it today at the brewery, and as someone who doesn't generally like sours, I actually enjoyed it. More 'tart' than full-on sour, and very approachable.

 

If you're in NY try Peekskill Simple Sour..great intro to sour beer, it was for me anyway.

 

Lindemans cuvée Rene.

 

Cuvée Des Jacobins Rouge

 

A good list to start with, without having to spend the money on the European sours, for example someone said Duchesse De Bourgone which is very good, but also comes with a bit of a price tag.

Start with some American sours that are easier to obtain with the $20-30 or more price tag until you know you really like the style of beer. Anderson valley makes a couple good ones, Westbrook Gose is good, New Belgium La follie, and Le Terrior are good, New Glarus has some great sours. My advice is do your research, and figure out what type of sour you like if you like them. But the ones I listed are good ones to start out with.

 

Petrus Aged Pale
Petrus Oud Bruin
Lindeman's Cuvee Rene
Duchess de Bourgogne
Professor Fritz 1809 Berliner Weisse
Boon Kriek
Boon Geuze Mariage Parafit
The Bruery Sour in the Rye, Hottenroth, Reuze
3 Fonteinen (Anything)
Cantillon (Anything)

 

Anything from Cascade Barrel House should you be fortunate to lay your hands on one.

 

I'm going to toss up another vote for Rodenbach Grand Cru. I participated in a sour share early in the morning at Dark Lord Day. There were lots of excellent, rare sours there, so rare in fact that I was reluctant to bring out the Grand Cru that I had brought with. I ended up opening a Lady of the Woods instead for my contribution. I really wish I had opened the Grand Cru instead, though, as when I tried it a few weeks later, I really loved it. I think if you talk to most sour fans, they'll tell you that it's the go to beer in terms of taste and price. It's sour but well balanced, should be very easy to drink for someone new to sours, and it's a really good deal at around $10.00 a bottle.

 

I would recommend Oud Beersel Oude Geuze, as it is a perfect example for a great geuze, while being gentle on the sourness. Otherwise try the Lindemans Gueuze Cuvee Rene as it should be easier to get in the US, which also does a very fine job by presenting a traditional Gueuze.

 

Not sure about an old stand-by or national distribution, but it looks like Allagash has limited distribution in PA. They make a couple beers that are fairly light on the sour elements.

 

My vote is for Duchesse De Bourgogne as well. As others mentioned, I also enjoy Monk's Sour, Oude Gueuze, La Roja, Cuvee Rene, Petrus Pale, and Rodenbach GC. If you can get your hands on any of the Lost Abbey sours (Red Poppy, etc) or Russian River, than give those a go. They can be a little pricey. If you're near Philly, Monk's Cafe is worth the visit, as they have a great selection of sours and have Russian River stuff most of the time. Im lucky enough to have Carton Brewing here in NJ and their Monkey Chased the Weasel is a great local sour too if you ever cross over.

 

Monks cafe
simple sour
cuvee de jacobins
oude tart
tart of darkness
rodenbach anything

 

Cuvée Rene - not because it's the best, but because it's easy to find, not super expensive, and not super sour. Just a decent starting point. There are many other great suggestions, especially Gueze Tilquin. Just know that it's a bit more expensive but worth it.

 

I love the recommendations of intensely sour beers as a good starting point. Like telling somebody who only drinks Bud a good starting point for IPAs is Pliny.

 

I second Cuvée Des Jacobins

 

I've had probably 10+ sours now and Rodenbach is still fantastic. Don't let anyone tell you it's a beginner sour and such. It's world class despite the cheap price.

 

I just had the funky gold mosaic from prairie. Im not sure how far they distribute but it seemed like one that would be great for someone new to sours.

 

Duchesse is never a good choice. Too sweet. Avoid. Abbaye De Saint Bon-Chien from BFM is 1000 times better and hits all the good notes that Duchesse does while missing the bad. Like a wizard cast a spell on Duchesse "Thou shalt stop sucking" and Abbaye came out.
Petrus has strong off flavors and some newbies think it tastes like bile/vomit.
Rodenbach or Rodenbach Grand Cru is a nice start, but won't tilt your wig. Also, Lindemann's Kriek is a sweet/sour lambic beer that doesn't suck.

My true recommendation: Goose Island Halia. This is not cheap at $20 for a 750 mL bottle but it's an awesome sour beer and doesn't have the off flavors that Petrus or most Flemish Reds have. Halia starts with a saison base, bringing some depth and the tartness from bacteria. Refermentation with the peaches gives it a depth of flavor far greater than any of the other Goose Island sisters (AKA Jolly ranchers in beer form).