02 June, 2005

New Glarus Unplugged: Sour Brown Ale

New Glarus Breweing Company is one of my favorites. Head Brewer, Dan Carey, hasn't made a bad beer yet. A couple years ago, methinks it was, Dan started releasing limited edition brews labeled "Unplugged". Here's how their website describes them:

"A few times a year, we will cut Dan loose to brew whatever he chooses, uncensored, uncut, unplugged. Always handcrafted, the bottle you hold is brewed for the adventurous soul. This is a very limited edition and we make no promises to ever brew this style again."

A few days ago, I bought a 4-pack of the Sour Brown Ale. It is Dan's variation on the Oud Bruin, a Belgian brew that often has a vinegar or lactic sourness.



It had a thick brown color to it and wasn't highly carbonated. The first thing you notice when drinking is, unsurprisingly, the sour. It has a strong apple cider vinegar-like sour to it. Initially, it was overpowering but, as I continued to sip, it mellowed and I could taste the malt and some sweetness. Once you get past the initial shock of how it tastes, it really settles in on your palatte.

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