As a Washington, D.C. area resident, I jumped at the opportunity to visit Jamil's brewery, Heretic, while in Napa for business this past Thursday. Some great beers there, that's for sure. Prior to that day, I had had all but one sour beer (a DFH with peaches). Hated it. At heretic, I had a great experience with a beer Jamil calls "Miscreant."
From the website:
"A beer not for the faint of heart. If you are not a beer geek passionate about craft beer, then this one may not be for you. Similar to the sour beers of Flanders, Miscreant is a beer for those with a love of and a palate for complex beers. Dark, tart, malty, with a balancing sweetness. This beer utilizes a complex culture of yeast, other organisms, and oak aging to obtain its rich complexity. With each sip you will find notes of tart cherries, vanilla, chocolate, and more."
This beer was fabulous. I really wasn't lip smacking sour. It reminded me of many flavors one might get from a tangy Pinot Noir. In any event, the beer has inspired me to explore some of the better sours out there, but I don't know where to begin. Anyone have some suggestions? Also, if you're in the area, I really recommend a visit to Heretic's tasting rrom.
From the website:
"A beer not for the faint of heart. If you are not a beer geek passionate about craft beer, then this one may not be for you. Similar to the sour beers of Flanders, Miscreant is a beer for those with a love of and a palate for complex beers. Dark, tart, malty, with a balancing sweetness. This beer utilizes a complex culture of yeast, other organisms, and oak aging to obtain its rich complexity. With each sip you will find notes of tart cherries, vanilla, chocolate, and more."
This beer was fabulous. I really wasn't lip smacking sour. It reminded me of many flavors one might get from a tangy Pinot Noir. In any event, the beer has inspired me to explore some of the better sours out there, but I don't know where to begin. Anyone have some suggestions? Also, if you're in the area, I really recommend a visit to Heretic's tasting rrom.