Cantillon Rosé De Gambrinus

On tap at The Hopleaf; finally, a Lambic worthy of the label. Ruby/honey colored that becomes a sensuous peach tone in the light. Head devolves quickly into a robust white ring. Aroma is very sour with powerful Gorgonzola tones that were delightful. Flavor was a complex plethora of Raspberry, vinegar and more Gorgonzola. The vinegar-ness was strong, but not overpowering. Finishes dry on the back of one’s tongue with a sour aftertaste that delights. Tones down the sweetness in a lot of modern Lambics- New Glarus et al.- which is a good thing in my book. A return to the premium Labmics of old.

Bottle, Ale Cellar, Darlington. A great label for a great beer that demands your attention and then holds it ever more intensely with each passing sip. Aroma of rain sodden straw and leaves, ancient oak, yeast and of course raspberry. Sour and fruity flavour which is expertly balanced. Top notch.

2004 vintage, aged 4 years. Pours a hazy, peachy, dusty rose color. A minimal, off-white film skims the surface, with a tiny edge of foam leaving minimal spotting behind. The aroma shows strong, sour raspberry notes, light, musty farmhouse yeast, and a surprisingly sweet touch of strawberry jam. That hint of sweetness disappears completely on the first sip, as sour raspberry and perhaps even a touch of peach impart the signature, funky, Cantillon tartness. Delicately carbonated and light on the palate, the mouth puckering sourness and dry, refreshing finish are just what I look for in my lambics. This is another great specimen from Cantillon.

Tasted a 1986 bottle, brewed in 1984, stored well at the Kulminator in Antwerp. Cloudy orange/amber with scant head. Aroma of raspberries, lemon, and wet horse-blanket (but in a good way!). Potent sourness, dusty dryness, and a yeasty-finish. More complex, more sour, and drier than a younger bottle.

Pours a lightly hazy red with a smaller creamy/bubbly white head. Aroma was floral, tart raspberries, barnyard funk and light alcohol. Flavor of tart raspberries, floral, lots of puckering funkiness but sweet raspberry to keep it drinkable.

Draft at Teresa’s next door...Ruby in color, opaque and a slight cloudiness...no head just a little white on top...sweet and tart raspberry flavor...a light raspberry aroma...its almost on the verge of a sour...quite good...no carbonation and a slightly sweet finish

Beautiful, brilliant ruby red in color. Poured with no head. Aroma sweetly floral and strongly of raspberries. Raspberry flavor well balanced by the beer’s general sourness, keeping it from being overly sweet. Nice.

Bottle from La Cave å Bulles, Paris. Not quite as sour as the Kriek from Cantillon. Beautiful light burgandy colored body. Big frothy purple head. You get the incredible sourness first on the tongue, then a waft of sour yeast yeast creeping up the back of the nose. The fruit only flashes at the end. A perfect sipping beer. Amazing.