2021 Gueuze/Lambic Tasting

Did another Gueuze tasting last night between 6 Gueuze/lambic/spontaneously fermented beers. 5 Belgian, 1 American. Being one of my favorite styles, and actually having brewed one turbid mash lambic, and about to brew another, it’s always fun tasting the wide array of flavors and notes in this complex style.



3 of us participated, wives did the pouring for us. Here is the ranking based on an aggregate scoring, each person giving the beer a ranking of 1 - 5.

1) Lindemans Cuvée Rene - 2nd year in a row this was the winner. This year was close though. Initially tied with 3F Gueuze, lindemans came out on top in the sudden death tie breaker. Such a complex beer. Tart, funk, minerally. Has a lot going on. For me, the unique funkiness and complexity puts it over the top. Bonus: this is also the cheapest bottle of the bunch! $7.99/500 ml bottle
2) 3F Gueuze - one of the lambic standard bearers. Initially tied in the first round with Lindemans. Barely edged out. Smooth, tart, with a little bit of funk. And this was the 2nd year in a row it was runner up.
3) Crooked Stave Stay the Funk In - the only American beer in the group. Although not technically a lambic by Belgian standards (some say it must be made in Belgian to be considered lambic) this one still follows all the traditional guidelines for being a Gueuze. Turbid mash, spontaneous fermented, and a blend of 1, 2, and 3 year lambic. This is an excellent beer and holds its own with the OGs of lambic. Very nice beer and good price. $15.99 for a bomber.
4) 3F Cuvée Armond & Gaston - another 3F Gueuze. Cuvée A&G differs in that this batch is made with wort solely from the 3F brewery. Whereas the standard Gueuze is made with wort from 3F and supplemented with wort from other breweries. It’s common and often standard practice that the Belgian lambic makers produce wort and sell/buy to other lambic makers, and use their wort in the breweries barrels. This one had more of a hop character. I could easily put this above #3, just depending on my preference for the day. It is expensive though. $18.99/500 ml bottle.
5) Oud Beersel Oude Geuze - this one always finishes towards the bottom of the batch. Not very complex. It does have more of a hoppy note to it, but lacks good funk and is sort of one note.
6) De Troche Lambicx - first time trying this one last night. I didn’t like this one at all. Very slick tasting, one note, and just tasted a bit off. It was different, but didn’t hold up to the rest.