Transatlantique Kriek | 8% ABV

You know New Belgium Brewing Co. for great beers like Fat Tire, Snapshot, Slow Ride, Accumulation, and Sunshine wheat beer. The brewery consistently turns out quality sessionable and seasonal beers that soon become standards for all those who enjoy a nice craft beer from time to time. But, they're doing more than just making standard brews that are turning Bud Light lovers into craft aficionados. They also make some pretty far out sour beers.

La Folie, part of New Belgium's Lips of Faith series, is a "seriously sour" brown ale that's aged for one to three years in French oak barrels. To say it will make your mouth pucker is an understatement. It pours a deep, dark mahogany and is full of plum and cherry flavors. The medium-bodied brew has a sharp, clean flavor that at the same time is sour and malty and the green apple aroma it emits is present in the flavor as well. At 7 percent ABV, you'll want to take it slow with this one. With just under 20 IBU, there is some bitterness to the brew too, but the sourness really takes center stage.

If you're looking to try this beer, it's being poured at Roast in Detroit, C.K. Diggs in Rochester Hills, Oak Cafe in Wyandotte, and the Scoreboard in Allen Park. It's also being sold in bottles at Red Wagon in Troy and Whole Foods in Ann Arbor.

Another in New Belgium’s Lips of Faith series, Transatlantique Kriek is a fermented lambic ale made with sour cherries. This year’s edition began its life in the oaken vessels of Gert Christiaens’ Oud Beersel, a 130-year-old Belgian lambic brewery. Impressed yet? After it aged for a while, it was blended with tart cherries and sent back to New Belgium, where the brewing process was completed.

A tart brew with an intense cherry nose, Transatlantique Kriek is crisp and effervescent with a fruity sweetness that joins with a light, bright tartness that’s particularly thirst-quenching. Its ruby-red appearance and the pink foam the comes with a pour are just as enjoyable as the flavor. At 8 percent ABV, it’s a stiff drink, but with less than 10 IBU there’s barely any bitterness. If you’re looking to sample this brew, it’s being poured at HopCat in Detroit, Tom’s Oyster Bar in Royal Oak, and Penny Black in Rochester. Pick up a case at Merchants Warehouse in Dearborn, and Mayflower Party Store in Plymouth, among other locations.