2015 Gueuzerie Tilquin Oude Gueuze À l'Ancienne

Community Tasting Notes (1) Avg Score: 92 points

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  11/20/2021 - forceberry wrote: 92 Points

  The base beer is sourced from Boon, Cantillon, Girardin and Lindemans, aged in old oak barrels on the premises. Tilquin is the only lambic blender using wort from Cantillon in their blends. The Gueuze is blended from lambics that are aged for one year (50%), two years (30%) and three years (20%). Bottled unfiltered and unpasteurized on 4th of March 2015, best by 4th of March 2025. Neck label says 2014-2015. 6,4% alcohol. Tasted along with 15 other Gueuzes.
  
  Completely clear, luminous and quite pale amber color. Somewhat evolved and very seductive nose with aromas of bruised apple, some malty caramel tones, a little bit of honeyed sweetness, light funky notes of leather saddle, a hint of ripe peachy fruit and a sharp touch of lactic acid. The beer is dry, sharp and somewhat austere on the palate with a medium body, sharp acidity and quite crisp, persistent carbonation. There are somewhat complex yet rather lean flavors of tangy green apple and tart lemony citrus fruit, some leathery funk, light grainy notes of malt, a little bit of dry, woody caramel character, a hint of urinal and a touch of phenolic spice. The hop bitterness feels low, yet very sharp and pithy, thanks to the high acidity that accentuates the bitterness without making it seem overtly aggressive or metallic in taste. The finish is tart, crisp and tangy with rather pronounced pithy grapefruit bitterness and lengthy flavors of lemony citrus fruits, some sharp green apple notes, a little bit of tangy salinity, light funky notes of bretty leather, a hint of grainy malt and a touch of caramel or burnt sugar.
  
  A very distinctive and fine-tuned Gueuze that quite unlike any other we had. The beer is very sophisticated and somewhat low-key - even austere - in its expression, yet shows tons of layers and nuance both in the nose and on the palate. There's somewhat pronounced hoppy bitterness (perhaps courtesy of Girardin?), but unlike most other Gueuzes that have emphasis on hoppy bitterness, it never gets excessive here, but remains well-balanced throughout. Due to its dry, lean and slightly austere style, this is definitely not the most approachable effort, but nevertheless a very lovely brew indeed with a great amount of depth and finesse. Not my favorite Gueuze, but an eminently enjoyable and rewarding lambic all the same. An excellent purchase at 5,89€ for a 0,375-liter bottle.

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