While many of the most-sought-after gems were gone way before the curtain closed last night on Brouwer’s 2010 Big Wood festival, there will be much still available today and throughout the rest of the weekend.

As for what I tried yesterday, the Russian River Deviation was hands down my favorite. This Bottleworks 9th Anniversary sour was tasting great. A couple years of age have done nothing to hurt what many consider to be the best sour ever to come from Russian River, and it may be even better than it was when released. If you are one of the lucky ones to have a bottle of this in your cellar, now seems like a great time to pop that cork. Why wait? Sorry folks, this one is certainly no longer available.

Other highlights for me included:

Hair of the Dog Matt – Another Bottleworks anniversary beer, it’s tasting great.
Snipes Nite Shade – Tasted like a dark cherry sour. I loved it…complex malt and great sourness.
Alaskan Oak Aged 2008 Smoked Porter – Drool…..I love this beer in its fresh bottle form, but this version was outstanding.
Hopworks Kentucky Christmas – This was AbominabAle Winter Ale aged in bourbon barrels. Very fruity hop and malt profile, and just enough added from the bourbon. It was a nice change from the multitude of sours, stouts, and strong ales our table consumed.
Cascade Vlad the Imp Aler – Enough said; fantastic beer. One of the most unique sours I’ve had.
New Belgium Sour Blackberry Whiskey – Tasted like someone mixed blackberry syrup with a great dark sour beer. So good.
Firestone Walker 14 – I only had a sip, but it’s tasting great. Grab a bottle, if you still can.

There were many other great beers sampled…this is just a snapshot. Go see for yourself what’s left! Just don’t end up like the guy in the photo below…