Cantillon Rosé De Gambrinus

Brewed by Cantillon
Style: Lambic - Fruit
Brussels, Belgium

(375 ml bottle (2006) from Tully’s) Pours hazy lightly reddish gold with a finger or so of rather fizzy off-white head that dies away rather quickly. Cloudier and and darker body in last pour. Aroma is sour and tart, some yeast and maybe tart, sour berry. Mouthfeel is light and lightly effervescent. Very little if any lacing. Tastes very tart, fairly sour -almost cider-like except no sweetness. Almost more of a tart, sour apple taste than raspberry. Quite acidic and a bit hard on the gastric system. I wasn’t really in love with this beer although I realize this is quite a respected brewer. Am probably giving it more points for quality and reputation than how much I actually enjoyed it (I’m not much of a lambic guy in general but I’ll keep trying).

Bottle, received from the girlfriend as a Valentine’s Day gift. She knows me well. Poured a dark, murky ruby-pink color. Well-carbonated white head that quickly fades, and virtually no lacing. Big, dry tartness slap me in the face. Raspberries are strong and pungent, very acidic and inviting. My mouth is watering, folks. Downing a small mouthful will only make you want more. Tons of tart raspberries slam my palate, with some pepper and salty meat. Burnt grain, too, why not? Medium-bodied, well-balanced, and gritty as hell. Very easy to drink and delicious.

There was loads of anticipation built up for this beer, as it was my very first Cantillon, and, actually, my very first lambic. Everything I had ever read could not have prepared me for this.... At the pour, a moderate, dainty, pinkish head quickly dissipates into nothing. The body is a hazy blush pink color, exactly like a rose wine. The aromas drift powerfully from the glass and opened bottle- sour cranberries, raspberry, charcoal, herbs (sage/bayleaf), some serious funkiness (I now know what people refer to when they say funky- there is simply no other word to describe it.) Mixed in with this, and after further sniffs of the bottle, I smell a bit of mustiness, rotten grapes, even a hint of olives and tomato juice. The strongest aroma is of leather, like a pair of brand new boots. My first sip can only be described as "a kick in the mouth" of lactic sourness. The beer is lemony sour, extremely dry, and very harsh on the palate. At first, we were all convinced that the beer was spoiled, and at $18.00 a bottle, I was very disappointed. Yet I continued to drink, and eventually, the sourness became a little more tolerable, more dimensional, and I finally started to see the real beauty in the beer, as well as the strange refreshingness that the acidity could bring. The finish is very short, with the taste leaving immediately, but leaving the mouth dry and begging for more. Overall, this beer is mind-blowing. I have read tons of books, reviews, and bits on lambics. But these beers are like a beautiful sunset in the mountains- it can only be experienced firsthand, and no words can ever explain it. Sorry to practically write a book here, but hey, first lambic experiences are magical.

2005 bottle. Beautiful salmon-brown colored with a thin white head that disappears almost instant. Aromas of gummi bears, flowers, tomatoes, citrus, vinegar and berries. Tastes of vinegar, fruit, cellaring and yeast.

Rich dark pink colour head not large,back to a little if nothing cover,good carbonation.Aroma raspberry vinegar yeasty.Flavour very dry,berry taste,mild acidic taste is plesant,has a good balance.Sourness in this is to my liking.Finish sour but smooth thirst quenching.

beautiful deep clear red, with long lasting pink head, tart aroma of rasberries. Very fresh and sour flavour and long delicate sour finihs. A great Lambiek

Bottle. Pours a rasberry red with a low white head. Sour aroma of berries, sour rasberry flavor with just enough sweetness. A very nice fruit lambic indeed!

Another belter in my emerging taste for lambics. Just the right amount of tartiness, dry finish but really refreshing and moreish. A kind present from our kid. Good job I didn’t drink it at the time as I got pulled on the way home. Very nice and different for me.