3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze

750 mL bottle, dated 28 Feb. 2004, split with NachlamSie at the Maproom. Pours a cloudy amber orange with big white head. It has a big sour aroma with lemon, sharp cheese, must cellar, and hints of oak and white wine. The flavor is lemon peel, cabernet sauvignon, toasted oak, cheese, and some dry herbal notes. The finish is dry and cheesy, and leaves an aftertaste of smoked wood. Some tart savory notes come through once in a while. All the flavors are balanced very well; the sourness is prominent but smooth, the cheese notes are delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

Bottle split with Tronraner during my Dark Lord excursion. Pours a very cloudy orange with an explosive white head. The aroma is sour as all get out, but cleanly puckering. The oak adds a faint vanilla sweetness, but this remains potent in a way that reminds me of fine cheese. The flavor is plenty sour indeed, but not quite to the point where it makes me wince like some Lambics have. There is a delicate wood and grape presence along with hints of grass, lemon, lime,and a wild ramp-like flavor. This becomes increasingly tasty as my palate adjusts to the sourness. Not my preferred style, but this commanded my respect and would be very welcome any time I crave a sour brew.

[Sampled at Carlsens.] This is the first time I like this beer, but some time has gone, so I’ve forgotten the flavor I tasted in 2003 4 years ago. Indeed this time I could drink it and time will show if it gonna get my favoritebeer. Notes of grapes, cellaring , wood and more refreshing than ever.

Bottle, 2000 vintage, from the Kulminator, Antwerp. Hazy gold studded with a plethora of little winking bubbles and a huge, craggy white head that lasts significantly. Aroma is complex but subdued: lemon citrus and tartness, yeast funk presence in barnyard and dustiness, some earthy tones as well. ’Wow’ is the first word in the taste section in my notes. Funky beyond all. Souring all over, very intense and distinctive. Lemon, slight fruitiness apart from the citrus component. The finish is a very strong sour and bitter combination that I have never experienced before. After all the lingering sour and funk notes, there is a slight touch of pale malt which complements everything well. Flavor everywhere, really, and immensely complex.

Bottled 01/04: Muddy orange with no head. Spicy sour vinegar & earthy taste and aroma. Slight sour fruity citrus/grape taste Low carbonation. Dry end. Tasted this a few times within the last couple of years and still think its a tough one to swallow! Rerating Feb - 09. Extremely original lambic. Tart, leather, funky, crisp, dry, quenching. Nice.

Bottled at Le Bier Circus, Brussels. Pours hazy orange with a lasting white head. Aroma is citric and sour. Taste malty with notes of lemmon and lots of sourness. My first lambic. All that sourness seems a bit strange to me.

Bottled Feb 2004. I think I’m starting to understand why I’m digging the lambics so much - there aren’t crap breweries trying the style that taint the reputation of the style. Pours brownish amber with a large off-white head with a cascade of carbonation. The aroma is very clean with wild yeast, pepper, tart lemon zest, lots of earthiness and grapefruit - very crisp and grainy. Medium / light body that is grainy and effervescent - very refreshing super-crisp. The taste starts with clear tart citrus, wild crisp yeast, some barnyard, but fresher than normal and light spice. The finish brings out grainy peppery spice and almost a creamy finish.... well, at last for a lambic. Excellent. Further down the bottle there is more barnyard and oak starts becoming apparent, however even with these traits becoming prevalent it still remains crisp and refreshing. Huge thumbs up for this world class, highly enjoyable lambic. Even at the high price tag I’ll get another before too long. (8/4/8/4/17) <P> rerate notes: After having this a couple more times the flavors and complexity are just off the charts, so the numbers have to be boosted up - this is just a fantastic gueuze. Easily my favorite of the ones I’ve had.

Jan 2004 bottle. My first Geuze. Pours a cloudy yellow/orange with a carbonated white head. Regular lambic aroma. Tart and sour, musty and earthy but pleasant. Powerfully acidic taste. Tart and sour and strong. Nice balance and complexity. Just the right level of strength. Nice.