We’re not normally into name dropping, but we’ve got some bold names coming by on Thursday night when we feature New Belgium’s exceptional Sours. New Belgium’s Lauren Salazar and Eric Salazar, two of the finest palates in the brewing world, stop by to sip by your side and answer your funkiest questions.
We’ll feature the sours we’re sweet on: La Folie, La Terroir, Tart Lychee, Eric’s Ale and NBB Loves Leopold. Not familiar? Here’s the rundown on two of our favorites:
Eric’s Ale: Named for longtime New Belgium brewer Eric Salazar — yes! that same Eric Salazar that will be at Bangers & Lace on Thursday, and points to you for close reading! — combines a dry, sour beer aged up to three years in oak foeders with a semi sweet, higher alcohol base beer. The resulting blend is re-fermented with peach juice, creating a smooth ale with subtle peach tones and a warm, spicy finish. The aroma has pleasant hints of vanilla and tropical fruit, the wood characteristics are present but nicely muted. A sour beer for those who don’t like sour beers. And a fruit beer for those who don’t like fruit beers.
NBB loves Leopold, aka, Oscar in Blackberry Whiskey Barrels: In the glass, this Oscar is molasses in color with a hint of haze in its dark depths. Like a vat used to crush berries, it smells like moist ripe oak and blackberry jam, while faint flaky crust aromas remind you of a berry pie. A whiff of chocolate and ginger add complexity. As expected, a brisk, puckering, enduring sourness is in the fore, offset somewhat by the slight berry sweetness in the background. The medium body finishes crisp, readying you for another sip of a complex sour berry journey.
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