Friday, 7 September 2018

Timmermans Oude Gueuze


According to the label of the caged and corked 375mL bottles of Timmermans Oude Gueuze, Timmermans is the world’s oldest lambic brewery—established in 1702. They operate out of Itterbeek, Belgium.

 
Timmerman’s Oude Gueuze contains 6.7% alcohol. The bottle I purchased was brewed in 2015 but not bottled until 2018. And, something I’ve rarely seen, it had a best before statement that lists November 2037! That said, I chose to drink my bottle fresh rather than cellar it.

Vibrant orange, the Oude Gueuze poured with a loose eggshell head. It had a powerful aroma, with tart and funky yeast notes playing a dominant role. Wonderfully sour and a little briny, the flavour was reminiscent of unsweetened cranberry juice, with some beery elements by way of wheat and hops textures.

I vividly remember my first gueuze. It was illicitly acquired when I was a high school student, and I thought it was hilariously foul. The better part have two decades have seen both my palate and my sense of humour mature. I now perceive a gueuze as a flavourful yet delicate brew, with intense elements offset by subtle ones. Among the gueuzes I’ve tried, Timmermans Oude Gueuze ranks high—it has both funk and soul. It’s tart and tangy, but also nuanced. And at 6.7% alcohol, it’s not goofing around, either.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10.

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