The Bruery Sour in the Rye 2014. American Wild Ale/Sour Ale. Orange County, CA 7.6% ABV
Served chilled in a snifter. Pours a dark copper to amber color. Leaves a half-finger head that disappears quickly. Smells very tart and of cranberry and Granny Smith apple. Carbonation is moderate with a medium body. The aftertaste is sweet and tart, and leaves a definite pucker. Not a big funk with this one. Tastes almost of a sour warhead candy. Sweet and tart aftertaste. Overall a pleasant and unique sampling experience.
The Bruery has earned a stellar reputation in the craft beer industry for producing high quality, difficult to manufacture brews. Wild Ales tend to be extremely challenging to brew, since yeast is a living organism. A sterile environment is necessary, as wild yeast strains can contaminate the fermenting beer and ruin the entire batch. Sour ales tend to age in barrels for several months, and once bottled, are good cellaring beers. However, the long and unpredictable brewing process causes these beers to be quite expensive. This one runs about $25 for a 750 mL bottle. Definitely one to share with friends!
As I mentioned in my review Monday with the Singlecut Sour, go out and try one if you have yet to sample the style. Each sour is unique, and contains so many types of dark fruits and ingredients that many comparisons can be made to other foods. If you live out in the San Diego area, look for Russian River's various sours. They are regarded as the holy grail of wild ales, and I am itching to try them!
Sorry to rate so many things so highly-I have chosen highly regarded beers during my first few weeks but will be sure to branch out to some other styles. I have a blind tasting in the near future planned that I think people will get a kick out of.
Though I am still new to sours, this one trumped the rest. Nearly a perfect beer, though I have to leave a little room just in case another comes along that trumps it. (I'm waiting for you-Russian River!)
99/100
Served chilled in a snifter. Pours a dark copper to amber color. Leaves a half-finger head that disappears quickly. Smells very tart and of cranberry and Granny Smith apple. Carbonation is moderate with a medium body. The aftertaste is sweet and tart, and leaves a definite pucker. Not a big funk with this one. Tastes almost of a sour warhead candy. Sweet and tart aftertaste. Overall a pleasant and unique sampling experience.
The Bruery has earned a stellar reputation in the craft beer industry for producing high quality, difficult to manufacture brews. Wild Ales tend to be extremely challenging to brew, since yeast is a living organism. A sterile environment is necessary, as wild yeast strains can contaminate the fermenting beer and ruin the entire batch. Sour ales tend to age in barrels for several months, and once bottled, are good cellaring beers. However, the long and unpredictable brewing process causes these beers to be quite expensive. This one runs about $25 for a 750 mL bottle. Definitely one to share with friends!
As I mentioned in my review Monday with the Singlecut Sour, go out and try one if you have yet to sample the style. Each sour is unique, and contains so many types of dark fruits and ingredients that many comparisons can be made to other foods. If you live out in the San Diego area, look for Russian River's various sours. They are regarded as the holy grail of wild ales, and I am itching to try them!
Sorry to rate so many things so highly-I have chosen highly regarded beers during my first few weeks but will be sure to branch out to some other styles. I have a blind tasting in the near future planned that I think people will get a kick out of.
Though I am still new to sours, this one trumped the rest. Nearly a perfect beer, though I have to leave a little room just in case another comes along that trumps it. (I'm waiting for you-Russian River!)
99/100
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