Bruery Terreux Gypsy Tart – Flanders Brown Ale / Oud Bruin at 8.7% ABV | 15 IBU (C$16.99 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 750 ml, packaged on 18-Sep-2015, acquired 11-Dec-2015, reviewed 26-Dec-2021)
Appearance: clear deep ruby with a short, short-lived fine ivory head, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: wet cardboard, malt vinegar, red berries, metallic. (4/10) Taste: moderate sweet and tart, low bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium-light body, lively carbonation, off-dry funky medium tart finish. (3/5)
Look, I get that this is a problematic demonym, OK? We could get into it, but it’s probably best we don’t (trust me on this one, wearing one of my hats as a fraud investigator). In fact, it seems like the brewery has sort of disavowed this one, since I can’t find any details on their website. I can’t say I’m overly surprised by that: naming conventions aside, this did not age well. The dominant aroma for me is a funky wet cardboard, with malt vinegar and some tart berries very much in the rear.
I’m sorry… actually, scratch that, I’m not sorry: no. If you’re going to churn out so many beers that even I can’t keep up, then I’m going to hold you to something resembling standards. Bad brewer, no cookie for you. Real Flanders Browns (i.e. real sours, i.e. Duchesse, Goudenband, Vichtenaar, etc. {if you don’t know what I’m talking about, just go ahead and stop reading now – no judgement, but you won’t get it}) age well and gracefully: I did an eight year old Goudenband that beats the pants off this, six ways from Sunday. I don’t know that this is a kettle sour, but given the way it fell apart in the bottle, it wouldn’t surprise me. I’d score this lower if I thought I could justify it, but the score is actually what this thing is: a substandard, but ultimately drinkable ripoff of a style that deserves better. And yes, earlier this evening I did give the same brewer a world-class score on a different offering, so that should tell you something: shame on you, Famille Rue, for doing this disservice to the style. (10/20)
This will be my 5,169th unique Untappd check-in.
5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
