SF Beer Week: Sour Sunday
Triple Rock and Jupiter hosted “Sour Sunday,” and the collection of sour beers was really something. Spread out between two brewpubs a few blocks apart, it was popular but not crowded, and the wait for a sample was never for than thirty seconds. It drew in a knowledgeable crowed, and everyone seems to have a recommendation of what to try next. Many of the brewers were onhand as well, pouring samples and talking about the process of creating these beers. A few tasting notes, and including a special surprise, after the jump.
Russian River’s Consecration - This was at the top of my list to try, since I just bought a few bottles of it. It’s a classic RR sour – very well balanced, with a slightly fruity and tart finish. I’m optimistic that time aging in the bottle will do great things for this beer.
Ballast’s Sour Wench – My first surprise winner of the day. It’s a wheat wine, finished with Blackberries. The blackberries lend it a great fruity finish, that then has hints of mineral to it – reminding me of a really good Bordeaux wine. This was the one I kept pushing on everyone else after I tried it.
Valley Brewing’s Effingreat – Valley Brewing might be the best brewery you’ve never heard of. Located in Stockton, They always pull out great, special stuff for festivals. Their brewmaster Steve. pictured above helping light a beer sample for a picture, was warm and friendly, and event brought the whole family to the event. His Effingreat is a great example of the sour style, with just the right balance of residual sugar and brett funk. I’d highly recommend it as an introduction to the style for the uninitiated. The name put the standard pretty high, and it meets it.
Bathelham’s Framboise - I’d heard such amazing things about this beer, but wasn’t that impressed. The finish has a hint of bandaid flavor – not overwhelming, but enough that compared to some of these other brews, I just wasn’t impressed.
Moonlight’s 60 to Life - Like Effinggreat, this was another classic example of a Wild Flemish Ale. Very tasty, with hints of vinegar and spice.
Finally, there was one last beer I didn’t know was going to be on tap, and turned out to be one of the highlights of the day. Drake’s “It’s Fity” is a blend of two Barrel aged beers, half BrettAmber, and Half Belgium Triple. Sound familiar? That’s because it’s the same blend they helped me put together for the Beer & Nosh Dinner. I had no idea it was going to be on tap, and this was the first time I’d tried it since the barrel tasting, and the first time trying the finished, carbonated product.
Drake’s It’s Fity – This is going to be gooooood with a duck and pistachio terrine. Carbonated, the whole brew takes on a lighter, more effervescent character with great aromas and a tart finish. The vinous qualities from the barrel are still present, but slightly muted by temperature and carbonation. The final beverage is still tart and oak-y, but smoother and a more relaxed beer than it was fresh from the barrel. Steve compared it favorably to Effingood, and earlier version of the Effingreat beer had had brought to the festival.
Tags: SF Beer Week, triple rock, valley
