2014 Oud Beersel Oude Geuze Vieille

Community Tasting Notes (2) Avg Score: 89.5 points

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  11/20/2021 - forceberry wrote: 90 Points

  The base beer is brewed at Boon according to an old Oud Beersel recipe, using more fresh hops than most other lambic breweries. After brewing the beer, it is transported to Oud Beersel where it is moved into old foeders (ranging from 4000 to 12000 liters in size) for aging. The Geuze a blend of older and younger lambics, based mainly on the traditional Oud Beersel brew, but often including some portions from other breweries. Bottled on 13th of March 2014, best by 14th of March 2034. 6% alcohol. Tasted along with 15 other Gueuzes.
  
  Somewhat evolved, medium-deep amber color with a modest white head. Funky and quite pungent nose with aromas of leathery funk, urinal, some grainy malt, a little bit of bretty phenolic character, light sweeter notes of evolved caramel or dried-fruit character and a hint of something animale. The beer is dry and surprisingly balanced and smooth on the palate, sourness-wise, having both quite modest sourness and mild carbonation. There are flavors of lemon juice, some apple peel bitterness, a little bit of leathery funk, light sweeter and slightly evolved tones of ripe orange and a hint of pink grapefruit. Typical of Oud Beersel, the hop bitterness feels moderately high, lending a somewhat green astringency to the beer along with its sourness, albeit not coming across as too aggressive. The finish is dry, somewhat funky and quite long with a moderately bitter aftertaste of leathery funk, lemony citrus fruits, some green, herbal hop bitterness, a little bit of astringent apple peel, light grainy malt notes, a hint of pithy grapefruit and a touch of latrine.
  
  A nice, smooth yet fresh Gueuze that has good, tart brightness, yet doesn't come across as lean and sharp as some Gueuzes. The slightly more hop-driven Gueuze style of Oud Beersel hasn't really disappeared anywhere over the years, but the brew still doesn't come across as aggressively bitter as some hoppy sour ales - I find hop bitterness and pronounced sourness go rather badly hand-in-hand, as low pH accentuates the unpleasant, sharp bitterness in the alpha acids and lends a somewhat disagreeable, metallic taste to them. Here both the hop bitterness and acidity feel low enough so that they both can leave their imprint into the beer without neither of them overwhelming anything. Overall the beer has taken a somewhat pronounced turn to the more funky end of the spectrum, which I don't mind. While I prefer less hoppy, more sour styles of Gueuze, this was an enjoyable effort and shows the beer is certainly evolving in the right direction. Will continue to improve. Priced according to its quality at 8,13€.

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  11/28/2015 - forceberry wrote: 89 Points

  Clear golden color with a generous, white head. A little reticent yet pungent and earthy nose. Aromas of savory wildhoney, green apples, some ammonia, little hints of cannabis, farmhouse funk and outdoor toilet. Sour in the mouth, but also surprisingly smooth and soft - there is acidity, but the beer is not mouth-bracingly acidic. Dry and slightly muted flavors of hay, ripe apple sweetness and green herbs. Soft, persistent carbonation. Long, crisp and sour aftertaste with slight bitterness and flavors of lemon, pepper, grapefruit and spicy wildhoney.
  
  A classic, balanced and elegant example of Oude Gueuze, but not the best of the bunch. Lots of good characteristics, but also seems to be holding back a little. Compared to the best gueuzes, this seemed a bit underwhelming. Probably will develop into something better in the cellar. Very good buy at 4,19€ for a 0,375 bottle.

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