 acrdz (4388), Boulder, Colorado, USA
May 14, 2008 Updated: Jul 27, 2008
In short: A single-vintage lambic blend that comes very close to nailing the style characteristics of traditional Belgian gueuze.
Poured from a bottle at the Brickskellar Lupulin Reunulin, the color is wheat gold and the body is hazy and soft. First whiff is pungent bugs - it’s egg-like aroma at first is eventually overtaken by a distinctly strong lacto-yogurt note, and aromas of lemon juice and subtle funk (limburger cheese/body odor) mix in over time. Full bodied and rich without being thick. The expected acidity is more subtle than imagined, and the body has a delicate silk-like quality that along with the moderately thick texture strikes the palate as something not tasted before. The effect can best be described as "weirdly-oily" or "slimy". Lacks coarseness (thank you), but thrashes at the palate with silky yogurt lacto and pedio. Resemblance to traditional Belgian gueuze? Yes, but the silky palate is out of place. Is it something different, though? Yes. Does it work? Absolutely.
I’ve been going back and forth on my numbers in the days since I’ve had it... originally it was 4.4, then 4.1, now it’s a 4.3.
masonjer (469), Holt, Michigan, USA
Oct 13, 2008 Zeeland 08’ tasting. Thanks Jon! Poured a golden color with a small white head. Aroma was nice muted vinegar and wood. The aroma was like some sort of fancy invitation I had recieved in the mail, inviting me and a guest to drink up. Of course I RSVP’ed and said I would be attending. In my notes on the taste I wrote "who cares about the start, the finish is unbelievable" And that is where this beer nails it I think. It has a maturity well beyond the 2006 brew date. If the aroma was the invitation, this was the party, and a grand one at that. Everything was perfectly arranged. So classy and memorable. I just sort of sat back and took it all in. I can only hope I get invited back!
zebracakes (1006), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Oct 12, 2008 This is my 1000th beer rating, and I owe it to CMUBEERMAN. Thanks Andrew for sharing all your crazy beers and for being the best beer mentor ever!
Sampled on 09.21.08. Pours golden crystal with bubbles, thin white head. Aroma is fruity, tangy, musty. Flavor is tart fruit and cheese, crisp, bubbly, funk, salty. Excellent!!!
kp (6300), Woodstock, Georgia, USA
Oct 12, 2008 Date: 09/13/2008
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting
Appearance: opaque pale yellow, fine white head, streaks of drippy lace,
Aroma: sweet musty aroma, tart lemon, musty dankness,
Body: creamy body,
Overall: huge tartness, puckering lemon, touch of earthyness, light spicyness, cobwebs,
Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 13/20
Rating: 3.3/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: **+/4
BDR (1929), Roseville, Minnesota, USA
Oct 7, 2008 rating 1900 and sourhead rating 100. I’ve had this beer several times and it keeps getting better and better. A murky gold color with faint white head. Lemon citrus, funky horse blanket brett, and immense sourness on the aroma. Oak manages to cut through the body of this intensly sour beer. A little saison like funk in there as well. I could drink this every day. Thankfully, it’s on tap at GABF ’08 so I should get my fill for three days straight!
TAR (2008), Boulder Co., Colorado, USA
Oct 5, 2008 Hazy yellow. Dense white foam deposits wispy lace with each sip. Bright, soft, and musty nose of sherbet, honeyed cantaloupe, phenolic brett (horseblanket, Band-Aid), lemon cake, and a hint of iron. Carbonation is tight and fluffy on the palate. Brisk brett immediately melds with coarse horseblanket and an oaky grip. Succulent lemon and unripe peach fruitiness augment the body’s core while balancing the dryness. Attenuation is squeaky clean as is the misty dryness. Awesome medley of juicy fruity esters and feisty phenols. Peach fuzz bitterness hangs on well past the explosively fruity esters to complement the poignant yet artfully composed oaky bite. Proportionate, delightfully musty finish showcases a lively phenolic (Band-Aid) crackle entwined bright sherbet. Nicely balanced and amazingly soft. Very gueuze-like. Thanks to Crosling for sharing!
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