I recently visited Mekong in Richmond VA, a gem in the dismal craft beer scene of the once Confederate Capital. A Vietnamese restaurant, converted to a Belgian Beer Bar, and Richmond’s elite beer snob hang out. I believe this year is their 18th anniversary, and so each Thursday throughout the summer they feature a certain style. I stroll in on a Tuesday lunch hour to find some of the world greatest Sours still on tap. It has been many months since I’ve been able to indulge in Alvinne’s beers, and my taste buds were aghast when I realized what was on tap. First was the Wild Undressed. Alvinne’s base Sour beer, which they blend into other brews. It can rarely be found on draft, especially in the States. It is a rich mahogany red flanders ale that has a delectable sour candy sugar taste. A beer which any snob could be lost in for days. Next I moved onto Alvinne’s Cuvee Freddy, their dangerous Sour Stout. This beer has the Wild Undressed incorporated into it, but with a much richer, roastier, slightly bitter flavor. Watch out, because of few of these babies might make the hick at the end of the bar seem like America’ Next Top Model. Similar to Jolly Pumpkin’s Madrugada Obscura, but more roast and sour flavor. Needless to say if you can appreciate a good beer, sour or not; and are ever cruising through Richmond, defiantly cross Mekong off your bucket list. You won’t regret it!
BrewingEconomist
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