Tilquin Gueuze à l’ancienne 2011

Gueuzerie Tilquin; Top Tastings 2011

ABV: 6%
Origin: Rebecq-Bierghes, Brabant-Wallonie, Wallonie
Website: www.gueuzerietilquin.be

Tilquin Gueuze à l'ancienne 2011, à la main de M Tilquin soi-même.

This is the first release of new lambic blender Tilquin’s Oude Geuze, or Gueuze à l’ancienne as the Wallonian-based enterprise prefers to label it. A little controversially, the oldest component lambic in it is only two summers old, rather than the more normal three, but the taste certainly doesn’t seem to suffer for it. Read more about Gueuzerie Tilquin here.

It’s a blend of 40% 2-year-old and 60% 1-year-old lambics originating at no less than four breweries — Boon, Cantillon, Girardin and Lindemans, matured in Bordeaux and Burgundy barrels, unpasteurised and bottle aged for six months before release. The complex blend seems to have made up well for the absence of older lambics, while still retaining a light touch.

The result is a slightly cloudy yellowy-blond beer with a dense and creamy yellow-tinged head. A lightly spicy aroma has stewed apple and cream notes, while a dry, tart and slightly funky palate has orange peel and a developing fruity and slightly sugary marmalade quality. Perfumed peel lingers on a light but tasty finish with notes of nuts, pastry and apricots. This highly accomplished and distinctive debut beer from Tilquin is an instant addition to the top rank of geuze and points to what should be a very promising future.

Read more about this beer at ratebeer.com: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/oude-gueuze-tilquin-a-lancienne/144762/