the delights of sour beer

Unlike many local-drink enthusiasts, I am not a lover of brews that are heavy on the hops. Too often, these Hoppy McHopperson brews seem more like a dare than a drink, bordering on unpalatable. I know that many love them, and that's good, because that's what local and regional craft brewers seem to enjoy making.

When I'm drinking something special, something other than a highly drink-able Pilsner or light ale, I love a sour beer. I like sour things generally, enjoying granny smith apples more than red delicious and making vinaigrettes that are more vinegar than anything else. This sour love has me thrilled that Brugge is having a special sour beer night as part of the Indiana Beer Week.

While the full line-up of beer choices can be seen at Brugge's Facebook Profile, I am most excited that Brugge will be serving Bell's Poolside and their own Pooka. I had Poolside when we visited Kalamazoo last summer and liked its sweet-sour taste so much that I almost cried when it wasn't on tap when we re-visited Bell's two weeks ago. 

this picture is bad, but the Pooka is good

But I'm also excited that more people might get to try the Pooka - an acidic, fresh drink that takes what is good about Lindeman's framboise and kriek - the brightness - and leaves what is bad - the sometimes cloying sweetness. Made with boysenberries, Pooka is refreshing, barely wheaty, beautfully colored, and delightfully sour. I love it.

Now, that we have a local place making and celebrating sours, hopefully malty beer is next. Just, please, anything but another hop-crazy drink.