3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze

Brewed by 3 Fonteinen
Style: Lambic - Gueuze
Beersel, Belgium

The next Drie Fonteinen to grace my refrigerator was the Oude Geuze, resplendent in the imperial majesty this beer’s reputation commands. The smooth, satin soft head is the off-white color of a pumpkin seed with an aged looking tan circumfrence. The body matches nicely with a foggy pumpkin rind orange hue. The aroma is predictably sour and sweet, so I don my galoshes and rain coat on for protection as I try to pick out flavors in the intense Oude Geuze storm. Lactose, cinnamon, espresso, whipped cream topping and nutmeg try to tame a sweeter-than-sour ligneous vinegar aroma, but mostly fail. It’s a powerful smell. But puny compared to the flavor, which starts as a sucker punch "Kapow!" straight to the palate. To quote the Orcs from Warhammer, "WAAAUGH!" After the initial sour drawing and quartering of my tongue, the Oude Geuze settles into a gentle, slightly toasty flavor that begins in the mid-sip and endures to the after taste. I also find this second stage taste to be somewhat dry and a bit on the wood varnish side, but appropriate considering the Oude Geuze milieu. A bit sour for me, thanks, but those with fewer taste buds are likely to really enjoy this.

Courtesy of Jon. Pours an apple juice golden color with a huge white head, very foamy. A little lacing as well. Strong funky rye wet blanket with lots of lemon zest citrus and a vaporous alcohol. The citrus comes through in the taste as well. A sweetness that shines through the sour in the form of peaches or nectarines. A very crisp bitterness as well. An excellent full body without much carbonation at all. Excellent and a very accessible lambic.

Clear, nearly still gold body with a rich, creamy and frothy white head. Smells very acidic and mineral-like, with apple, orange, brett, lemon, coriander, pear, oak, and rubbing alcohol notes. The flavor is very oak-y and spicy, with super strong lemon notes throughout. Hints of orange, apple, clementine, nectarine, slat and dill. The finish is bright and fruity, clean and crisp. This is much different than most Gueuze beers, and in a good way. This is insight into the new world of wild yeast brewing. Semi-sweet, but still bretty and dry. Damn good.

[bottle] Potent aroma, very funky and acidic. Pours hazy yellow with a very quickly diminishing white head. Flavors are very acidic and almost bitter. Loads of sour bacteria. Very complex finish...lingers on for quite a while. Saturating.

Bottle. Courtesy of Frank Johansen. Great geuze. Mostly lasing week head. Yellow colour. Powerfull sour aroma and flavor. Long complex finish and great palate.

Bottle. Hazy golden colour with a medium white head. Sweet sour fruity aroma and taste with spicy notes. Lasting finish.

A hazy golden colored beer, with a small beige head, with big bubbles. It disappears quickly. The aroma is very sour and complex. A bit vineger. Spicey tones, grapes and melon. The taste of strong sour apple. It is dry with touches of wood. The after taste is nice sour, with a bitter finish.

Aroma is tart Granny Smith, cherry skin, lemon and funk. Appearance is golden orange and is truly a headless horseman. Flavor is extremely soured; grapefruit, orange peel, and lemon zest. Scratches the back of the throat. Palate seems a bit thin.