Apocalypse wow

If Gen. Kurtz was guzzling brew out in his cruel jungle, it might have been Tart of Darkness, the recent release from much-admired Southern California brewery The Bruery. This sour stout is not for everyone, what with its mild currant and cherry aromas, taupe pour and withering head. It’s moderately carbonated with a fruity, astringent tang—medium-high on the sour scale, perhaps like napalm in the morning?—which gives way to roasty, even toffeelike notes typical of a stout. A horror to some, it’s horribly good in my book. On draft and by the bottle at Pangaea Two Brews Cafe, 2743 Franklin Boulevard; (916) 454-4942; www.pangaeatwobrews.com.

Beer: Double Tap IPA
Brewer: Berryessa Brewing Co. in Winters
Where: The Shack, 5201 Folsom Boulevard; (916) 457-5997

Beer: Brux Domesticated Wild Ale
Brewer: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in Chico and Russian River Brewing Co. in Santa Rosa’s collaboration
Where: Burgers & Brew, 1409 R Street; (916) 442-0900

Beer: YuleSmith Summer (double IPA)
Brewer: AleSmith Brewing Company in San Diego
Where: The Davis Beer Shoppe, 211 G Street in Davis; (530) 756-5212