So today I'm finally looking at my first sour ale. I'm kind of excited. Sours seem to be the hottest trend in craft beer, but for whatever reason I have yet to really get into them, on the blog or off. My friend Zach recently opened up a wine store, Oakley Wines, check them out, very cool spot. In addition to more wine than you can shake a stick at they also have a pretty solid craft beer selection. I was there not too long ago and snagged this bottle, Duchesse De Bourgogne, a Flanders red ale. Let's not waste any more time. To the beer!
A finger of loosely bubbled off white head sits atop a deep reddish brown ale. When held up to a bright light it's revealed to be a crystal clear effervescent ruby red. It laces pretty beautifully on the way down.
The aromas here are pretty wild. Intense fruity notes just explode out of the top of the glass. Pungent aromas of cherry, raspberry, and blueberry. A little powdery, nice and tangy, and almost even a very faint licorice note.
The flavors mimic the aromas pretty closely. Intense, juicy flavors of cherry, blackberry, and raspberry. It's quite tart with a very dry crispness. Hints of Granny Smith apple and lime add an acidic tartness. The interplay of the sweet and the tart flavors is pretty wonderful. Some oaky notes of caramel and vanilla add some more complexity to the medium bodied brew.
I think it's quite safe to say that my first foray into sours has been a success. This beer is as tasty as it is fascinating. Sweet, tart, abundantly fruity, complex. Check this one if you're looking for something off the beaten path.
HD
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