"Ten years ago the deliciously complex and incredibly refreshing sour beer styles native to Flanders and Berlin had fallen out of favor with their local consumers and appeared to be on the brink of extinction," Jug Shop beer manager and cicerone Eric Cripe says. "Since that time brewers from across the U.S. and around the world have been experimenting with these classic techniques with outstanding results."
This Friday marks the first phase of a two-week sour beer tasting.
The Aug. 20 lineup consists entirely of fruited beers, ostensibly more interesting ― and dearer ― than the summery fruit beers from our recent blind taste test. Look for seven Krieks and others made with cherries, an Italian black currant beer, and an incredible peach beer from the folks who brew more than just Fat Tire amber ale. Whole bottles range from $10 to $40.
And next week, the puckish, puckering fun continues with a lineup of "Brett" and barrel-aged beers. Brettanomyces is a bacteria that scares the hell out of vintners but some brewers play around with the funky, wild flavors it creates. It's been popular in Belgium for the last 500 years.
Both tasting events are expected to sell out. Behold Friday's lineup, followed by registration information.
Fri., Aug. 20:
1. Avery Depuceleuse
2. Birrifico Italiano Cassissona
3. Birrifico Italiano Kriek
4. Cantillon Lou Pepe Kriek 2007
5. Cascade Apricot 2009
6. Cascade Kriek 2008
7. Cascade Kriek 2009
8. Drie Fonteinen Shaerbeekse Kriek
9. HaandBrygeriet Wild Thing
10. Kasteel Rouge
11. Oud Beersel Kriek
12. Oud Beersel Framboise
13. Ommegang Zuur
14. Russian River Consecration
15. Russian River Supplication
16. New Belgium Transatlantique Kriek
17. New Belgium Eric's Ale (on draft)
The Jug Shop's Sour Beer Tastings
When: Fri., Aug. 20 and 27, 6-9 p.m.
Where: The Jug Shop, 1590 Pacific (at Polk), 885-2922
Cost: Single events are $35 each or $60 for both; advance registration prices are $30 per session or $55 for both
Tickets: Purchase online
