Year of New Beer: Sixfold IV: American Sour Ale, West 6th Brewing (Lexington)

Written By: Dion on 03/29/2016

A lot has changed on the local beer scene over the last four years. And thankfully (from my vantage point anyway), it has been pretty much all for the better. This weekend West 6th celebrates their 4th birthday with a multitude of special events. Always being on the search for new beers, I'll be the first to admit, I didn't find myself in the West 6th taproom too often in the early days. The beers were solid, but the variety just wasn't there. Fast forward to the present, and I find myself sliding into the Breadbox with a little more regularity, and for good reason...the beers are multiplying, pushing the envelope, and more importantly...satisfying the palate. This special anniversary bottle is no exception. Slumbering in a variety of barrels for over a year, the resulting blend is a true delight. The nose is greeted with a blast of tart fruits. Lemon, sour apple, and hints of unripened peach rest atop a nice earthy funk, leaving no doubt that the taste buds are in for a delicious ride. On the tongue, the fruits are acidic and biting, although not to the point that the nose would suggest. Smooth and well blended, they surge to the point of puckering the mouth, but are reigned in by auxiliary notes of oak and traces of leather. Slightly musty, the sour doesn't fatigue the palate as some do, instead offering up a light malt sweetness with warmth. Drinks with a ton of flavor for a sub 6% beer. I consider myself fortunate to have tasted some pretty phenomenal sours, and I have no reservation in saying West 6th has knocked it out of the park with this beer. You don't want to miss it. Available in the taproom beginning at noon on Saturday, along with several other goodies including a tapping of Snake Cake at 5pm and live music by the Blind Corn Liquor Pickers at 6pm.