Local Brewer Introduces New Beer Style to Bend | The Source Weekly - Bend, Oregon

Local Brewer Introduces New Beer Style to Bend

Its more sour than IPA, which is a good thing.
  • It's more sour than IPA, which is a good thing.

We have a lot of really top-notch beers in this town. We also have a lot of very similar types of beers here in Bend.
Dean Wise, brewer and owner of Below Grade Brewing, is doing his part to create something different.
And lucky for us, Identity Crisis Sour IPA, his latest brew, tastes damn good.

Wise was smart to get on the sour train, as they're all the rage these days. And for good reason: when made properly, they're quite nice.
If you're worried this beer is going to be too weird for you, fret not. It's much more of a sour than some strange franken-hybrid. Wise made the unusual beer by crossing a naturally-soured version of his Validation Imperial IPA with his Nevermind White IPA. After a primary fermentation, Wise allowed the brew to go through an extended dry-hopped open fermentation. Below Grade released the beer in mid-October.
Wise did well. The finished product is sharp and fruity without tasting sweet.
Wise, however, is not the first to dabble in sour IPAs.
Michigan's New Holland brewery makes the Farmhouse Hatter Belgian IPA and Maryland's Wildeman brewery makes a sour Farmhouse IPA.
Wise is in good company. We hope to soon see more sours, as well as inventive beers, in Bend.

You can buy this beer at Newport Market and at other friendly retailers.
  • You can buy this beer at Newport Market and at other friendly retailers.

Comments (0)
Add a Comment
For info on print and digital advertising, >> Click Here