Cascade Kriek Ale
This 2008 bottling was a rich reddish brown color. Thick, healthy head and a vibrant sourness dominate in this 8.1 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) beer. After six months of lactic fermentation in oak barrels, the beer is fermented a second time with fresh whole Northwest cherries.
Duchesse De Bourgogne
From Brouwerij Verhaeghe in Vichte, Belgium, this 6 percent ABV, reddish-brown ale is a blend of eight- and 18-month-old ales. You can taste the wood character in this brew that has a touch of bakers chocolate, but the overall impression is a vinegar-leaning tartness that grows on you after the first few sips.
Liefman’s Goudenband
This beer was sampled on draught at the Hopleaf in Chicago from a keg that had been aging since 2006. Hazy, amber color. Tart almost sour cherry soda-like flavor base. Mellow oak in the background. Smooth and refreshing for an 8 percent ABV brew.
Mestreechs Aajt Flanders Red
This Dutch sour beer pours with a medium, but firm head and reddish brown color. Plenty of tart cherry notes and an earthy, woody background flavor.
Monk’s Café Flemish Sour Ale
Brewed for the Philadelphia beer bar by Van Steenberge Brewery near Ghent, Belgium. Nice reddish brown color with a good thick head. Overall tart, yet smooth and inviting. There is a good amount of wood and the hints of raisins throughout.
Oud Beersel Oud Geuze Vieille
Golden color, pours with a nice lacing head. No sugar or yeast are added in the making of this beer, which comes in at 6 percent ABV. Citrus and herbal nose, with a crisp bitter apple flavor.
Petrus Oud Bruin
Nice mahogany brown color and firm head. Plenty of lactic character and a vinegar tang. Hints of oak and earthiness from the aging are clearly evident.
Rodenbach Grand Cru
Aged for an average of 20 months, this is a big and expressive Belgian sour ale. Full fruity notes roll on your tongue from this dark colored beer. High level of tartness.
Russian River Brewing Supplication
This brown ale is aged in former pinot noir barrels and has cherries added. The head goes away after a couple of minutes, but the flavor stays with sour cherry, ripe green apple, touch of wood and even some malt showing through.
Upstream Brewing Gueuze Lambic
This Nebraska beer transports you to Flanders. Cloudy amber gold with a very thin head. Nice tart citrus notes that give way to a fresh cut oak flavor bed.
Southampton Berliner Weisse
Cloudy, light lemon juice-like color. A thin head stays throughout. Sour tartness that is cleansing and refreshing. Hint of green apple in the finish that lingers.
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