Day drinking is trickier than it seems.
It seems simple enough to pour alcohol into your body all afternoon, but if you don't do it right, you'll be laid out by 3 o'clock. You have to pick something light and low ABV -- not an easy task or exercise in self-restraint in a craft beer city, particularly if you're taking visitors on a brewery tour.
So here's my pitch: drink sour beers.
I can feel your faces contorting into highly skeptical smirks through the vast internet, but hear me out. They're light in your stomach and often light on alcohol content, but more importantly, they're not boring. You could drink regular old light beer all day, or you could drink something juicy and tart -- something made with fruit that's not too sweet.
It might be the perfect summer craft beer.
So take yourselves or your parents on a little summer drinking tour through (naturally) RiNo and Five Points, where you'll find some of my favorite summery sours.
Cucumber Sour — 10 Barrel Brewing Co.
Where: 2620 Walnut St.
Why: It's one of the lightest, most crisp and crushable sours I've tried. Don't worry, it's not too cucumber-y.
ABV: 5%
Tart n' Juicy — Epic Brewing Co.
Where: 3001 Walnut St.
Why: It definitely delivers on its name. It's a little heavier than the others on this list, but still easy and refreshing.
ABV: 5%
Firestone Walker — Goed Zuur
Where: 2801 Welton St.
Why: This one comes from Paso Robles, California, and it's one of the beers that's always on the menu at this new, all-sour and -wild ale taproom.
ABV: 4.9%
Dysfunction Junction — Spangalang Brewery
Where: 2736 Welton St.
Why: The strongest beer on this list is made with peaches, raspberries and strawberries -- and you can taste it.
ABV: 6.2%
Got a favorite light, summery sour, in any neighborhood? Email [email protected] and I'll compile a reader's choice list.
