As a self-proclaimed beer aficionado, there is one style of beer that never fails to excite my taste buds – the sour beer. With their unique and complex flavors, sour beers have gained popularity among craft beer enthusiasts in recent years. Today, I want to share with you my personal list of the 12 best sour beers that you absolutely must try.
1. Cascade Brewing Barrel House – Apricot
This Oregon-based brewery is renowned for its exceptional sour beers, and their Apricot sour is a true masterpiece. With its bright acidity and luscious apricot flavor, this beer strikes the perfect balance between sweetness and tartness.
2. Rodenbach Grand Cru
Hailing from Belgium, Rodenbach is a classic brewery that has been perfecting its sour beer recipes for over two centuries. The Grand Cru is a blend of aged sour beer that exhibits a rich, vinous character and a pleasant oakiness. It’s a true masterpiece of the Flanders Red Ale style.
3. Cantillon Gueuze
No list of sour beers would be complete without mentioning Cantillon. This legendary Belgian brewery produces some of the most sought-after sour beers in the world, and their Gueuze is a true gem. With its funky, barnyard-like aroma and complex tartness, it’s a must-try for any sour beer enthusiast.
4. Jester King Brewery – Atrial Rubicite
Located in Texas, Jester King Brewery is known for its innovative and boundary-pushing sour beers. Atrial Rubicite is a prime example of their creativity, featuring the addition of raspberries and aging in oak barrels. It’s a beautifully tart and fruity beer that is sure to impress.
5. The Bruery Terreux – Tart of Darkness
Dark and sour, Tart of Darkness from The Bruery Terreux is a unique take on the sour beer style. This beer combines the roasty and chocolatey flavors of a stout with the acidity and tartness of a sour. The result is a truly unforgettable brew that will intrigue even the most seasoned beer drinkers.
6. Westbrook Brewing Co. – Key Lime Pie Gose
If you’re a fan of tart and refreshing beers with a twist, Westbrook Brewing Co.’s Key Lime Pie Gose is a must-try. This beer captures the essence of a key lime pie with its zesty lime tartness, subtle saltiness, and hints of graham cracker and whipped cream. It’s like dessert in a glass!
7. Almanac Beer Co. – Farmer’s Reserve Blackberry
Almanac Beer Co. is known for their exceptional fruit-forward sour beers, and their Farmer’s Reserve Blackberry is a standout. Bursting with juicy blackberry flavors and a balanced acidity, this beer is a delightful blend of sweet and sour that will leave you craving more.
8. Drie Fonteinen Oude Geuze
Another Belgian gem, Drie Fonteinen is celebrated for their traditional lambic and gueuze-style beers. Their Oude Geuze is a blend of one, two, and three-year-old lambics, resulting in a complex and funky beer with notes of citrus, oak, and a delightfully sour punch.
9. Allagash Brewing Company – Coolship Resurgam
Allagash is a household name when it comes to American craft beer, and their Coolship Resurgam is a testament to their mastery of the sour beer style. This spontaneously fermented beer is aged in oak barrels, allowing it to develop layers of complexity, with flavors ranging from tart stone fruit to earthy funk.
10. Russian River Brewing Company – Supplication
Russian River is known for their exceptional lineup of barrel-aged sour beers, and Supplication is a true standout. Aged in Pinot Noir barrels with cherries, this beer offers a perfect balance of fruity sweetness, oak tannins, and a pleasing acidity that will leave you wanting more.
11. Hill Farmstead Brewery – Anna
Hill Farmstead Brewery in Vermont has gained a cult-like following for their top-notch farmhouse ales, and Anna is one of their most beloved creations. This oak-aged saison exhibits a gentle tartness alongside notes of white grape, hay, and a touch of funk. It’s a beer that truly showcases the artistry of the brewer.
12. Mikkeller – Spontanframboos
Mikkeller, a Danish brewery known for their boundary-pushing and experimental beers, delivers a fruity delight with Spontanframboos. Fermented with raspberries, this beer boasts a vibrant red color, a luscious raspberry aroma, and a pleasantly tart flavor that keeps you coming back for more.
Whether you’re an experienced sour beer lover or just starting to explore this exciting style, these 12 beers offer a fantastic journey into the world of sourness and complexity. From traditional Belgian classics to innovative American brews, each beer on this list showcases the artistry and diversity of the sour beer style. Cheers and happy sipping!
