The Original 40 Brewing Company Releases First-ever Barrel-aged Sour, Tropical Funky Fusion

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The Original 40 Brewing Company, voted as Best Brewpub 2024 by readers of San Diego Magazine, has released its first ever barrel-aged sour, Tropical Funky Fusion. Four barrels of the beer were yielded, and it is available only on draft at the North Park brewpub. Head Brewer Steven Terán made the announcement.

Tropical Funky Fusion was brewed with wild yeast and aged in white wine barrels from Paso Robles’ Niner Wine Estates for two years. The 5.5% alcohol-by-volume (ABV) beer has tasting notes of mango and pineapple, along with funky earthy notes from the wild yeast. Hints of oak and light vinous qualities may also come through.

“It’s not our first time being funky, but it’s our first time taking a crack at this style of beer,” Terán said. “We are particularly proud of our process and the end result, and we encourage guests to come in and try it for it’s on a pretty limited supply.”

Original 40 had only brewed barrel-aged stouts prior to this inaugural barrel-aged sour. Tropical Funky Fusion is now one of two sours overall on the draft menu, joining Mojave Sunset, a prickly pear kettle sour.

“Tropical Funky Fusion is a unique beer for us,” said Original 40 Founder Steve Billings. “Steven and his team did a tremendous job, and it provides yet another great option to enjoy in the beer mecca of North Park.”

Original 40 won Runner-Up honors for Best Brewery 2024 from San Diego Magazine in addition to the Best Brewpub honor.

Original 40’s Flatbread of the Month for September is the Pesto and Potato, featuring a layer of pesto sauce topped with thinly sliced roasted potatoes, fresh mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. The September Burger of the Month is the Bánh Mì Turkey Burger with pickled veggies, spicy mayo, cilantro, and sliced jalapenos. 

Original 40 opens at 12:00 noon Monday – Friday and at 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The brewpub, which opened in 2020 and is named after the original 40-acre parcel of land that became modern day North Park, is located at 3117 University Avenue.

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