 boboski (1095), USA
Sep 26, 2007
2003. Lightly clouded orange body, very deeply hazy. This is a glow I’ve come to love, one of yeast swirling with wild abandon amongst a dense backdrop of aromatic integrity and rewarding flavor that is a sure thing with this brewery. A near white head recedes very slowly and only eventually fully after half the glass has been drained. Rock-solid and immovable arc lacing forms and drapes downward under its own weight. A textbook appearance and then some; how delightful a beginning to what was probably my most anticipated beer in five years. Punishing farmhose notes and absolutely terrific, thrashing brettanomyces notes collide with tartness that lights up senses and pins my eyelids back, it’s just enormous and supremely unforgiving, an intense wall of solid lambic character that is unmatched. Wet straw and a milky but not overly lactic waterfall of acidic craziness follows. Oak is bombarding, bursting through the confinement of the streamlined aroma and exploding into a whole separate dimension in the nose. Lemony and more exotic floral perfume notes pin down a surreal embankment that channels the funk forward and down the throat, gastric juices set ablaze in anticipation, mouthwatering ensues with vigor. Horseblanket and pineapple meld into a tropical and earthy conglomeration. Everything together, and every thing apart from the next nuance, is as intense as I’ve ever encountered in this style of beer, or anything remotely similar. Nothing out of the ordinary, as far as noticeable ingredient additions or flaws, except a sly dill component that is likely the result of acetic tendencies. Good peppery esters, flawless, all funk. Unreal. The flavor is softer than expected and not as brash and unbridled as the aroma, but nonetheless: very highly acidic, very funky, giant farmhouse notes everywhere, succulent wild yeast. It’s definitely in top condition. Really, this tastes like it has the potential to continually improve for another 30 or more years, maybe much longer. Never have I encountered so much wild yeast and staggering amounts of acid-lined blasts of funk in one sip of something. Dryness grows to an unmanageable strength as the beer warms to room temperature but doesn’t detract from the flavor, it actually makes it more enjoyable. Sweetness is noted but low and thankfully held back by wave after crashing wave of intense, mouth-puckering and lip crinkling sourness. Lemon and grapefruit juice splashes about in a taste that seems to change slightly with each sip. Grapeskin tastes feel like a barrier that dutifully separates each available component into a space that was previously set aside for such an occasion - a formatted, sequential tasting parade that was preset by the skill of the brewer and the quality of the ingredients, by time too. Woodiness is lessened as the sips progress, but this is merely due to the palate destroying sourness. Very mild earthy hops swing a feathery gavel of bitterness late in each sip. The finish is superbly complex, dry, dusty, very long, quenching and brings with it more retronasal sourness and a light funk that regrows into a monolithic masterpiece. This is so huge! It’s also insanely drinkable. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, vibrantly carbonated, silky with rough edges. Amazing! One of the five best beers I’ve ever had and certainly the best lambic that’s ever crossed these lips, tied my tongue in knots and practically brought tears to my eyes - not because it’s so tart, but because it’s so wonderful. This will be truly perfect with longer, careful cellaring. I hope my other bottle lasts long enough to see this realize its full potential. For now, I am truly content.
Skyview (3060), Papoose Jct., Minnesota, USA
Nov 18, 2008 For rating 3000 I wanted to go in style. Received a 750 ml bottle via trade with Papsoe, pours a hazy golden pale brew with a thick white head that has excellent retention and even some lacing. Aroma of barnyard funk, tart tropical fruit, some gouda and bleu cheese, yeast and a touch of citrus zest. Taste is tart with plenty of fruity flavors of lemon zest, oranges, more yeast funk with a touch of sour cheese. Finish is spritzy, with a complex aftertaste of tart fruit, yeast and more funk that slowly disappears. Wow, happy to have had this experience.
Guerde (514), Welcome, Minnesota, USA
Oct 24, 2008 (bottle, big thanks to Skyview for sharing this rarity at the Sourfest!) rating #500-Pours out hazy light gold with a fluffy white head that sticks around and leaves impressive lacing. The aroma is potent and possesses every aspect I enjoy in a gueuze. Dominant smells of funky blue cheese, brine, spikes of tart pineapple, peach skin, dusty hay, and of course, manure. The taste is full of brine, funky cheese, minerals, lemon peel, and oak. The finish is incredibly long, earthy, and bone-dry. The mouthfeel is full. This beer is quite possibly the pinnacle of gueuze.
cgarvieuk (2609), Edinburgh, Scotland
Oct 18, 2008 <b>Bottle at Fins ... Thanks to Fin for a great weekend and some Real intersting beers</b>Nice pink amber ... big fruit and that typical lambic nose... again some woodyness ... tart fruity ... some sherbert...
BDR (1966), Roseville, Minnesota, USA
Oct 17, 2008 Many thanks to Skyview for sharing!A spectacular sour funky nose on this one. Gold with massive head. Hay and horse crap in the best way possible. Faint cheese in the incredibly sour body as well. The yeast shot off one of these things must be incredible.
fordest (1857), Santee/San Diego, California, USA
Oct 8, 2008 Sampled at RBSG. Favorite of the night. Lots of sour tartness on the aromas and in the flavor. Perfectly acidic without being harsh. Perfect balance between tart and sweet. I love this beer.
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