When life gives you yellowjackets, have a drink
What does a wine drinker drink at a beer festival? Sours, of course. Also cider, and the occasional big-shouldered, melted-chocolate stout.
I tasted the rainbow at the Great Taste of the Midwest last weekend. From Hillsboro Brewing Co., I tried a neon-blue sour made with Sour Patch Kids. Boulevard Brewing out of Kansas City poured me a mixed-berry dark sour called Berry Noir. Transient Artisan Ales from Michigan turned my glass bright red with a vibrant Montmorency/Balaton tart cherry sour.
The Cider Farm’s aromatic Equinox and Island Orchard Cider’s Kingston Black and Brut Apple Reserve were my cider winners. Some others, from different cidermakers, were simply awful. As I turned my glass over, I wondered how much of the top layer of soil at Olin Park would be saturated with beer by day’s end.
After beermania, I am more than ready for stronger stuff. Madison Old Fashioned Week starts tomorrow, and the cocktails are gorgeous! Vote up to once a day for your faves…