La Folie, by Golly ...

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

Just thought I'd brag on the fact that I just received a package from my buddy Eli containing four glorious bottles of New Belgium La Folie! A beer I've wanted to try for a good long while now. Might not be that big a deal to those with access to New Belgium's brews, but I live in an area where they just don't reach (via distributors, at least).
Eli will be receiving a box full of some regional favorites from my neck of the woods - Schlafly and Goose Island - in return ... that is, as soon as I get on the ball and buy the last couple of sixers and ship it off!

Thanks for the La Folie, and for your patience, Eli!

[Chipper Dave]

I tried La Folie at the New Belgium tasting room last fall. The friendly staff there warned me prior to drinking this sour ale that I'd either Love it or Hate it. My first sip gave me one of those puckered mouth effects similar to tasting one of those super sour candies. Wow! This was one different ale! It took me about 3 to 4 sips before I got used to it. But by the end of the glass - I loved it! Definitely not a beer I've ever experienced before. My friends that I shared this with nearly spit it out before they knew what it was - it was extremely sour. Certainly takes an acquired taste but it's worth it.

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

The Flanders Red style is one of my favorites in the world - I am a huge Rodenbach fan. La Folie was high on my list as I was told it rivaled the finest Belgian examples. I will find out soon! I can see how this would be construed as very sour, though, if you're not familiar with the style. I don't know what it is, but I love the funky beers - Flanders red, Oud Bruin, Gueuze, Berliner Weisse, etc ...

[Eli the Mad Beer Man]

Sounds EXACTLY like the experience I had first time I swigged La Folie. 'Cept we did it out of a 750 like Shawn has. Everyone around me was "tossing their cookies" while I was puckering like I'd just hit the soury motherload of Sourpatch-ville. After a few sips though... heaven!

[Chipper Dave]

Shawn - did any of your bottles of La Folie explode when you opened them? I took a bottle of that on a business trip last fall to Cincinnati and when I opened up the bottle the stuff shot out and went all over the place. I was pissed that I wasted over half the bottle. So be careful opening it - the pressure just may make that stuff volatile.

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

I always cover the cork with a towel when I open a bottle conditioned beer ... can never be too careful. The first bottle opened without any trouble, so I'm hoping the others weathered the trip as well ... so far so good.

Oh...so good.

[Eli the Mad Beer Man]

So you like, eh? ;)

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

Like may possibly be too mild a term, my friend.

[Eli the Mad Beer Man]

Hahaha! OUTSTANDING! Glad you're diggin it I was very curious to hear what you thought.

[Good Beer Show]

All the women that frequent my show love the sour beers. I am a big Rodenbach Grand Cru fan. My girlfriend loves FFF's Deesko or whatever their Berliner Weisse is called.

JeffreyT

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

Man, how hard is it to find a Berliner Weisse ... ... ! Unfortunately I don't get FFF here in So IL, and I don't know of many other craft brewers that make the style. I really dig DFH's Festina Peche.

[Good Beer Show]

Nick Floyd has all kinds of flavored syrups that you put in his Berliner. DFH Festina Peche did not last long in my cellar. Vicki drank it up big time.

JeffreyT

[Deege]

Good reason to start homebrewing. :) Jamil Z had a show recently on the Berliner Weisse. I'm thinking of trying out the recipe this summer since there are not too many commercial examples available.