Brouwerij Boon Oude Geuze Boon à l’Ancienne Gueuze at 7% ABV (€9.99 at Belgian Beer Tradition Rue au Buerre Bruxelles, 750 ml, best before 31-Jul-2034, acquired 21-May-2015, reviewed 4-Aug-2016)
Appearance: hazy deep gold with two fluffy and growing fingers of light ivory head, moderate retention and patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: lemon zest, barnyard funk, green apple, vinous white grape, light woody. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate tart, light funk. (7/10) Medium-light body, lively champagne-like carbonation, dry crisp lightly funky finish. (4/5)
Not quite as good as I was hoping for, if I’m honest. All the elements are there for a classic Gueuze, but all seem to come up just a little short, especially by comparison to e.g. Cantillon. The appearance, tartness, and funk are all in the ballpark for the style, but it just doesn’t pop the way some others do. Even their own Mariage Parfait, for example, is a much better example of the style. I know this is brewed in Lembeek (the home and namesake of “lambic,”) and I suppose it’s possible that this is actually more representative of the traditional style (“à l’ancienne”), which means that I’m just an unwashed heathen, but this just seems to fall a little short. Good, verging on great, and damned with faint praise. (14/20)
My 231st from the 2010 Edition of 1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die (221st from the 2013 edition), and 243rd combining both editions.
7/10 #1001beers #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
