Friday Beer Reco: An Ode to Anchorman by Backcountry Brewing

Really, it’s not much of a surprise that Backcountry’s Brewing’s Blackberry Raspberry Marshmallow Sour was able to gain my adoration, for multiple reasons.

I like blackberries, raspberries and marshmallows (please do not @ me with your bad anti-marshmallow takes). I also—and cover your eyes, old school beer dinosaurs—enjoy the odd sour. And I love experimenting with new, experimental beers that sometimes sound like they can’t possibly be good (and many aren’t).

Oh, but the list doesn’t end there. I’m an absolute sucker for movie references and this beer—its full title is Boy That Escalated Quickly—is a nod to the 2004 film Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.

That film has not aged particularly well, but it did resonate with a high school age me. My brothers and I even dressed up as the Channel 5 news team. I will spare you the photos.

Many pop culture tie-ins aren’t done very well, but the burgundy and blue of Backcountry’s can and the many references to Ron and co. are done in a fairly subtle but detailed way that pays homage to the material without overshadowing the beer.

And that’s a good thing, because Squamish’s Backcountry knows how to make a sour beer with the absolute best of them. The raspberry and blackberry work well with the marshmallow to create a fruity and tart, but not overly sweet beer. (Even if not trying to add hints of real panther does seem like a missed opportunity.)

In the end, it’s extremely refreshing and tasty—you could almost call it an afternoon delight.