Now, I am a self-proclaimed stout girl, but I think I can be greedy and pick another style to carry the torch for, and that is Sour Ale. Nothing beats Brewery Ommegang’s Three Philosophers (Yes, yes Ray, I know, Three Philosophers is a quadrupel, but it is ALSO a sour.).

But nevertheless, the style of sour ales also encompasses two of my favorites: Berlinner Weisses and Lambics. I already talked about Nodding Head’s Ich Bin Ein Berlinner Weisse, so let’s look at another brewpub’s offering of this delectable, tarty beverage.

Less than two days after going to Triumph and Nodding Head with Ray, I joined his sister Steph for dinner at Iron Hill in Media. I was excited to see that they were offering a 2.8% ABV Berlinner Weisse, and the double awesome was that you could pick from either a splash of the traditional woodruff syrup or raspberry syrup. Joy!

(For those of y’all that don’t know, woodruff, raspberry, or lemon syrup is used in this beer to take the edge off the sourness.)

I went with the raspberry to try something new, and was happy with my choice. Served in a goblet (check out my mad photo skills below), the beer had the fruityness of the raspberry, without being overbearing, and an ending of a light wheat taste. I found it wholly refreshing, and noted that despite its lightness, the tartness keeps the drinker sipping and not chugging.

People have a nasty habit of discounting brews like this, especially given America’s reputation when it comes to beer. Many people participating in America’s beer rennaisance have developed a snobbish favoring for big, hoppy beers, I guess because they feel manly when they get to say that they enjoy something as bitter as what American craft brewers are leaning towards right now. And so, sour and fruity beers like what Mel just talked about get ignored, even though they are often just as interesting as the rest of what’s out there. Remember: hops aren’t the only beer ingredient with complexity!

Brewpubs, Craft Beer 1 Comment »