Thanks to ralph&dot on Flickr

Whether you are new to the style or just need a refresher on some old favorites, stop on by Full Throttle Bottles in Georgetown tomorrow, Wednesday, August 11, between 5pm and 7pm to sample four world-class Belgian sour ales. Sour ales might be a shock to your system the first time you try one, but the style has quickly become a favorite among many a NW beer drinker. In addition to all the great Belgian examples, many American and NW brewers have started to focus on sour ales, and you’re missing out on a lot of great beer if you aren’t down with the sour thing.

Sour Beer Tasting at Full Throttle Bottles!
Georgetown, WA – On Wednesday Aug 11, 2010 we want to shock your taste buds with something you may not expect. Sour beer. Yup, this is one of Erika’s favorites beer styles, full of complex flavors, sour to the tongue, and oh so delicious! Tart, refreshing, vinegary, those are all words to describe this amazing style of beer. All of these happen to be from Belgium, but as this style ga…ins in popularity we are starting to see some from other locales also. We’ll try at least four and maybe open one special bottle just because it’s a Wednesday! Come and be prepared to taste some VERY unusual beers…these aren’t your momma’s beers!

Rodenbach Grand Cru (Brouwerij Rodenbach): A blend of 1/3 young beer and 2/3 of beer aged 2 years in large oak vats. The more important proportion of oak matured beer contributes to its fruity taste, complexity and intensity. The finish is worthy of a great wine. Rated 99

Duchesse De Bourgogne (Verhaeghe): This is the classic, go-to beer when you’re talking about Flemish Ales. Consistently requested, this is a gold standard for the style. A blend of 1/3 young beer and 2/3 of beer aged 2 years in large oak vats. The more important proportion of oak matured beer contributes to its fruity taste, complexity and intensity. The finish is worthy of a great wine. Rated 97

Vichtenaar Flemish Ale(Verhaeghe): “Vichtenaar” is a beer, brewed with roasted malts, spicey hops, fruity yeast and soft water, pumped up from a 172 m deep well, guaranteeing constant quality and pureness of the liquor. After primary and secondary lagering, “Vichtenaar” gets a ternary fermentation in oak vessels during 8 months. These oak pipes are big tuns with a capacity varying between 500 and 2500 hectolitres (no I don’t know what this is off the top of my head). “Vichtenaar” is a traditional and specific Western Flemish beer, from the northwest of Belgium. Its taste can be described as mild-sourish and suitably complex, thanks to the long lagering on oak. This tart flavour makes it eminently suitable for the hot summer months. “Vichtenaar” is one of the last Flemish “Oud bruins” that are really lagered in the oak tuns, and are as such appreciated by the connoisseur, looking for authenticity. As early as 1958 “Vichtenaar” was crowned as the top in an international concours in Gent. Rated 96

Monk’s Cafe Flemish Sour Red Ale (Brouwerij Van Steenberge): They have blended young and old beers to make this mildy tart sour ale. Light bodied with a lactic/sour nose and a bit of sweet and sour in the finish. Very refreshing! Rated 92

We will be tasting these tomorrow, Wednesday, August 11, from 5pm-7pm. Only $4 for all of them! Our usual “be green” offer applies: Bring your own tasting glass and save a dollar!!

Thanks, Erika & Crew