2016 Brouwerij Boon Oude Geuze à l'Ancienne Dekoninck

Community Tasting Notes (2) Avg Score: 94 points

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  11/20/2021 - forceberry wrote: 93 Points

  Dekoninck was originally a lambic blender, purchasing lambics and blending and bottling themselves, but stopping this activity in 1977. From 1977 to 1994 Dekoninck lambic was brewed by Brasserie De Neve (the same place where they brewed Moriau lambic). When De Neve was shut down in 1994, Moriau and Dekoninck asked Boon to brew their lambic according to the De Neve recipe. However, according to Frank Boon, the Moriau and Dekoninck should be the same stuff as Boon Gueuze, as they are made with the same beer and bottled at same ages. Normally this beer should be a blend of beer aged for 18 months in oak foudres with a small addition (5%) of lambic aged for three years is blended in to add complexity and a small addition (5%) of young, still partially fermented lambic aged for up to 12 months is added for the secondary fermentation in the bottle. Lot 60361, best by February 5th, 2036. 7% alcohol. Tasted along with 15 other Gueuzes.
  
  Pale-to-medium-deep and very slightly hazy bronze color with a moderately large white head. Somewhat sharp yet at the same time relatively fruity nose with aromas of juicy golden apple and white peach, some bretty notes of leathery funk, light grainy malt notes, a little bit of old hay, a hint of lemony sourness and a hoppy touch of dried herbs. The beer is dry, rather sour and crisp with a medium body and rather intense flavors of leathery funk, some pithy lemony character, a little bit of sweeter, fruit-forward character of ripe white peach or juicy apple, light spicy notes of phenolic character, a hint of something metallic and a touch of tangy salinity. The carbonation feels rather crisp and there's also a little bit of hoppy bitterness that lends a slightly metallic edge to the apple peel-ish bitterness. The finish is crisp, tart and lemony with quite lengthy flavors of Granny Smith apple, some phenolic spice, a little bit of tangy salinity, light funky notes of bretty leather, a hint of sweeter white fruits and a touch of something metallic.
  
  A very nice, balanced and distinctive Gueuze that manages to combine quite pronounced acidity, modest funk, a little bit of fruity sweetness and a subtle touch of hoppy bitterness. I find it hard to believe that Boon Oude Geuze, Moriau Oude Geuze and this would be same beers; tasting side-by-side these three beers, this brew and Moriau seemed quite similar, whereas Boon Oude Geuze seemed more different in style. However, even Moriau and Dekoninck had some obvious differences. Although they were both darker in color than the pale Boon, Moriau seemed drier with a smoother overall character, whereas Dekoninck seemed subtly sweeter with more pronounced acidity. I found Moriau and Dekoninck to be more or less at the same quality level, but in the past I've had Dekoninck bottles that were a bit better - otherwise more or less the same, but without that slightly distracting metallic taste, which took a small toll on the final score. Nevertheless, this is a fine, complex Gueuze that will not only keep but improve for many, many years more. A great purchase at 4,50€ for a 0,375-liter bottle.

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  6/26/2017 - forceberry wrote: 95 Points

  7% alcohol, best before 5th Feb, 2036.
  
  Very deep yellow, almost slightly nutty brown color with a big and quite persistent white head. Very expressive and quite pungent nose with dirty, funky aromas of manure, bretty leather and sweeter vanilla notes, some unripe gooseberry, a little bit of dried herbs and hay and a hint of lemon. Dry with surprisingly harsh yet not particularly pronounced sourness with moderate rocket-like grassy bitterness. Funky flavors of herbal bitterness, bretty rustic complexity, green apples, some leather, a little bit of pithy grapefruit, a hint of unripe nectarine and a touch of barnyard with a sweet underlying streak of malt. Quite light body with very fine and smooth carbonation. Funky and moderately bitter finish with flavors of grassy and pithy hop bitterness, earthy barnyard notes, some leather and surprisingly modest sour tang.
  
  An impressive old school Geuze - even though the beer doesn't feel as sour as some other gueuzes, this feels surprisingly harsh and angular. But in a good way - if you like challenging beers, that is. However, there is also a touch of malty sweetness to the beer, balancing out that harsh sourness and (surprisingly noticeable) hop bitterness. This beer isn't really bitter like modern IPAs or anything, but considering how a great majority of gueuzes have practically nonexistent hop bitterness, I was surprised how bitter this beer was. Overall this is a positively challenging, unpolished and aggressively old school gueuze that really took me by surprise. Positively. Great stuff, really. Superb value at 4,50€ for a 375 l bottle.

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