St. Louis Gueuze Fond Tradition - Brouwerij Van Honsebrouck N.V.

kylehay2004

Florida

4.18/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Small head but excellent lacing on my out on a slightly hazy golden with orange hue body. Flavor is very fruity, somewhat spicey with hints if grain and club soda. Flavor has a nice tart and sour citrus throughout with a wild and funky presence and nice yeast flavoring. Light to medium body and moderate carbonation. Definitely sharper and more flavorful than others I have had in the style. Excellent wild and sour presence.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2013 21:16:01 | More by kylehay2004

blackie

Virginia

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

draft at Busy Bee

a: served in a branded st. louis flute, the gueuze is a hazy golden-straw in color, with a light, wispy bone-white head

s: clean malt body, some yeasty aromas with lots of funky wild stuff - wet hay and barnyard, dried grass, lemon peel, very nice

m: carbonation lively but delicate, lighter in body

t: a simple malt base - pils maybe - sets a structure for the bacterial tartness to push through, really shines after the swallow with lots of rustic wild flavors and a pungent refreshing sour, lemony

o: a very nice gueuze, complex bacterial character really makes this one

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2013 03:06:45 | More by blackie

mdfb79

New York

3.78/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Form 12/18/12 notes. Sampled this on tap at Beer Authority in NYC; have passed up bottled of this on the shelf before so glad to try it on tap.

a - Pours a hazy yellow color with one inch of bright white head and moderate carbonation evident. Looks pretty good.

s - Smells of sweet fruits, apples, bready malts, light yeast, spice, and lightly sour fruits. Nice nose; no real funk but the light sourness is nice.

t - Tastes of sweet fruits, apples, fruity malts, light funk, spices, Belgian yeast, pepper, bready malts. Little bit of funk unlike the nose, but the taste is also sweeter than nose. I like the nose a touch better.

m - Medium body and moderate to high carbonation. Pretty nice for a gueuze.

o - Overall a decent gueuze. Not my favorite as the sourness and funk is very light, and it is a little too sweet for me, but better than no gueuze on tap. Could see someone trying to get into the style liking this one as a gateway gueuze. Would have it again sometime.

Serving type: on-tap

12-20-2012 16:40:54 | More by mdfb79

TheBrewo

Michigan

3.98/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This brew was served from the tap at Rattle N’ Hum in New York, NY. It arrived in a stemless, narrowed chalice glowing a dark apple cider coloring, with amber hues to the light. It held a crisp, white one finger head, showing okay retention. Light wisps of lacing were left around the glass. There was a chill haze, no sediment, and even carbonation. The aroma showed musty, souring yeast, acidic vinegar, fresh leathers, and alcohol. The malts were quite pale and light, with floral hops on the back against rose florals, and tart sweetness of citrus and candy. Our first impression was that there was hearty tartness to the flavoring, but it was balanced through the finish with a big, but paler, malt backing. As we sipped, sour lactics were quickly balanced by candy sweetness. At the same time, however, the sweetness became tartness, as the sip prolonged. Chalky dryness also factored in, with bittering white wine grape, and further souring oak. The middle peaked with acid of white vinegar, and sour funky yeast. The finish showed sulfur eggshell air, paler malts, steely yeastiness, and a deepening of those same pales into a somewhat leathery, charred malt. The aftertaste breathed of sour grain, majorly funky yeast, big hints of Brett, grass and barnyard funk, lemon bitters, and pale, chalky grain. The body was medium, and the carbonation was medium, with a nice prickle to it. The mouth was wet and coated, but significantly puckered by the end of each sip. There was nice cream and froth, but slower slurp and glug. The abv was appropriate, and the beer was more of a sipper.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this brew was the sourness through the nose. It was nicely drying, helping to box out any overt residual sugars, all while retaining the big sourness and tartness so perfect to the style. The taste did follow nicely, with sourdough breadiness, and that same hearty sourness and funk. There was less fruity sweetness than expected, so expect for this one to be a bit more serious on the palate. The grain, too, was a bit chalky and seemed out of place, but things otherwise stayed pretty juicy, despite the wild bitterness of yeast.

Serving type: on-tap

11-17-2012 20:19:17 | More by TheBrewo

Tone

Missouri

3.95/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy, orange color/maize color. 1/4 inch head of a white color. Slight retention and slight lacing. Smells of a hint of pale malt, hint of alcohol, strong tartness, strong sourness, and a hint of citrus. Fits the style of a Gueuze. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of tartness, strong sour notes, slight pale malt, and slight citrus. Overall, good appearance, aroma, and blend.

Serving type: on-tap

10-08-2012 10:41:59 | More by Tone

macrosmatic

Florida

3.73/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes. Had on-tap at Mr. Dunderbak's. Served in a goblet.

A: Light amber in color with some haze. Only a ring of foam by the time it's in front of me, and there's a bit of visible carbonation.

S: Sour, tart, lemon, apple, background of funk.

T: Taste follows the nose at first, then overtones of apple cider but with a tannic flat finish. Sour, but not overly so.

M: Light mouthfeel, and maybe somewhat under-carbonated.

O: Good, but inferior to some other commercially available gueuzes in my opinion.

Serving type: on-tap

07-29-2012 20:15:49 | More by macrosmatic

Etan

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Hopleaf. Served in a tulip.

A: Dark hazy orange, decent white head.

S: Perfumy funk - wet hay, slight berry tartness, horseblanket as it warms.

T: Not quite as funky. Lots of wheat, lactic hay, mild raspberry tartness, grape, more tart berry skin. A little wheat in the finish.

M: Slight sharp carbonation, light-bodied.

O: Didn't quite hit the spot for me - came across a bit weak in the taste. Maybe a little too heavy on the young lambic in the blend?

Serving type: on-tap

07-26-2012 00:39:06 | More by Etan

thagr81us

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served from tap into a Trappe Door tulip. Poured yellow-orange with a two finger white head that subsided to a minimal amount slowly. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, citrus rine, funk, sour, and tart. The flavor was of sweet malt, citrus, citrus rine, funk, and tart. It had a light feel on the palate with high carbonation. Overall this was a good brew. I have had this so many times out of the bottle it is seriously not even funny. So when I saw this on-tap I had no choice but try this one. With it being on tap it actually enhanced the citrus aspect of this one for me. I was really happy that this was the case rather than just drinking the same beer over and over. Drink this one rather it is in a bottle or on-tap. You won’t regret it.

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2012 10:52:25 | More by thagr81us

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This looks much darker than any gueuze I can ever recall. It's a brownish orange. Flavor is a punch in the mouth of typical sour gueuzeness. If you use that word from here on out, I'll expect a quarter in royalties. I get a lot of lacto on this one. Overall it hits the mouth and makes the mouth contract and contort; as you'd expect for the style. Not too shabby, especially considering the style.

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2012 06:04:42 | More by RblWthACoz

SpdKilz

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at The Library Alehouse.

Appearance – Given in a tulip with a dark amber color and slight white head that dissipates quickly leaving slight lacing.

Smell – Nice and tart, slight green apple and barnyard funk, quite earthy.

Taste – Not as tart as say Black Label, though there is a nice pucker factor. A definite granny smith apple flavor mixed with lemon zest. Slight acidity, light wet hay and barnyard funk.

Mouthfeel – Lighter bodied, crisp carbonation, finishes dry like it should.

Overall – A decent gueuze though I’d rather pay a few more dollars at the store to get one a bit better (3F, 1882 BL, Tilquin, etc.)

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2012 01:19:57 | More by SpdKilz

homebrew311

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap at Hopleaf.

A: pours a slightly cloudy orange, razor thin collar of head, minimal lace

S: nice white grape fruit profile , a bit of vinegar and oak, hints of funk in the back, plenty of lactobacillus but not overpowering

T: a quick flash of tartness that activates the sour receptors, a nice bit of fruitiness in the form of white grapes, excellent balance

Mf: bubbly, champagne like mouthfeel

O: well balanced gueuze, perfect amount of tartness, very tasty

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2012 23:14:13 | More by homebrew311

modernartblues

Connecticut

4.2/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-Tap at DeCicco's, 01.24.12

A: dirty brown, neither hazy, nor clear, somewhat of a head, not much retention, no lacing

S: Tart, cidery, citrusy notes, nice pleasant sour aroma

T: tart and sweet, notes of apple and citrusy, faint notes of oak, but nothing too strong, dry with the oaky finishing note that leaves you wanting more

M: medium to light body with a heft of carbonation, very palatable for the style

O: a great beer, that I will reach for again

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2012 02:29:58 | More by modernartblues

notchucknorris

California

3.58/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Blind Lady

A: Nice and hazy darkish golden color with a 1/2 finger white head.

S: I was expecting a pretty good dose of funk here, but only got the slightest trace. Mostly just meyer lemon and maybe some green apple.

T: There's definitely nothing bad about this beer, but it lacks something I can't quite put my finger on. Lots of lemon tartness and some faint pale malt. Not much funk to speak of here, and that's what I was kind of hoping for. Still, not a bad beer at all.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2012 21:40:49 | More by notchucknorris

Mebuzzard

Colorado

4.15/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Found this on tap at the Bull And Bush in Denver. Nice to see it.

Gueuze pour. Very little head sits atop golden glow, clear body.

Aroma is tart and sweet. Green apple, as in not very ripe, smell. Funky barnyard and apricot.

Tart up front, and bit sour on the end. It's not overwhelming and does a good job of representing the style. Apricot, apple, some cranberry-ess tannin. A dry finish with a subtle reminder of the tart.

Overall, this is a very nice beer. Not my favorite style, but this didn't last long in my glass

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2012 00:42:04 | More by Mebuzzard

amphion1065

Massachusetts

2.85/5  rDev -27.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

10 oz. pour into a wine glass, enjoyed at Deep Ellum. Reviewed from notes.

Pours a clear peach, with wonderful clarity. A half-finger white head forms, and lasts for some time. A great-looking guezue.

Tart, vinous notes abound in the aroma. Just a whole host of various funky elements, with a pronounced lactic note throughout. Pretty strong citrus here, almost bracingly strong lemon in the mix.

The taste is far sweeter than the aroma suggests. There is certainly a fair amount of tartness, with a healthy dose of citrus and lemon, but it seems tempered given how sugary this seems. Some bread, biscuit in the finish does temper this particular aspect of the beer.

Mouthfeel is something of a letdown, this seems undercarbed. Given that this was a draft pour, I expected a little more life.

Perfectly middle-of-the-road for me. Given the price of my pour ($9), I can't see myself springing for this again.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2011 20:02:29 | More by amphion1065

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at Pinocchio's, Media, PA

Poured a cloudy almost murky golden yellow, with a thin cap of white head. Aroma was pretty light actually: tart with notes of lemon zest and apple skin, and a bit of barnyard funk. Taste was very nice, balance of tart and sweet, apples and lemon zest, wet grass, spicy yeast, and maybe just a drop of berry juice. Medium mouthfeel, nice and crisp and zesty. Drinkable, not too overbearing or sour, and quite exemplary of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

10-31-2011 00:11:00 | More by Rifugium

fatmcb1

Texas

3.9/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Toronado in San Diego

Orange, yellowish color with a white colored foam. Moderate lacing.

Smells of tart lemon, barnyard, and vinegar. There is also sour apple and pears.

Wow. Very tart and acidic. Getting past the sourness, there is some citrus and malt. Leaves a serious sour aftertaste.

This is thick bodied and well carbonated. It is dry and crisp.

I enjoyed the beer, but am still getting used to the style. I enjoyed how the citrus intermingled with the sourness, and wasn't completely overpowered.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2011 22:51:19 | More by fatmcb1

wadecats

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

We had a couple each of the St Louis Gueuze which was just barely vinegary, lightly tart - very possible to taste the new and old in this... if I knew better. But for sure I could taste that there was some horse blanket-wrapped Baldwin apples that were allowed to sour in an abandoned Belgian toilet, and then maybe a little rotting tassel-rope from the robe of a sleeping, defrocked minister in the sun. The laicizing really comes through in the beer's turbidity and especially when warmed up around 68 degrees, giving it a hue of well hydrated but recently passed kidney stone urine.
Despite what this past paragraph says, I actually liked this beer a lot.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2011 18:23:11 | More by wadecats

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4.3/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Beautiful orange and peach color to this one. Thin white head.
Good sour aroma, no distinct identifiable fruit aroma to it, if had to pick, id say the ol standby lemon.

Great pucker factor here, salivation up, very sour, very clean, peach or apricot seems to be the direction this one is all about. Could drink this all day

$9 on tap at naja's

Serving type: on-tap

09-08-2011 21:14:26 | More by Beerandraiderfan

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

St.Louis Gueuze Fond Tradition

Pours a nice golden orange color. Aroma is sweet, sour, funky and cidery. Follows through to the taste, with a pronounced acidic sour note. Lemon peel, tart sour apple candy and a mellow funk all grace the palate. Great effervescence, though a bit more mellowed ontap versus the bottle. Finishes light, airy, dry and crisp. The bugs really did their job on this one, a nice sour and a smooth, sophisticated one at that.

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2011 04:42:57 | More by Stinkypuss

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap at Hopleaf in a tulip.

Appearance: A typical orange tangerine hue represents this beer, with a frothy off-white head that leaves some nice lacing down the side of the glass while fading to a small ring.

Smell: Some relaxed woody funk up front to go along with a green apple and lemon tartness.

Taste: Fairly tart up front, with a bit of cherry. Some lemon and grapefruit citrus add some additional flavor and acidity. Some oak comes through along with a little earthy and general woody funk. Fairly good, although a little light on the complexity.

Mouthfeel: This has a fair level of tartness that induces some puckering of the cheeks and salivation. Overall it is a little bit dry, with bubbly medium carbonation and a medium body.

Overall: This was a fun little gueuze. It does not compare to some of the epic monsters of the style, but it is a nice, refreshing beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-28-2011 18:25:42 | More by KickInTheChalice

claytong

Vermont

3.95/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance - light honey in color, nice big head

Smell - funky stuff, citrus, floral

Taste - funky stuff, grapefruit, a bit simple

Mouthfeel - puckering sour, wasnt exactly what i was looking for at least for the day

Overall - a good example of the style, not as complex as I might of hoped for

Serving type: on-tap

06-24-2011 01:39:32 | More by claytong

craytonic

District of Columbia

3.78/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Lightly hazed straw-golden yellow with a decent frothy head. Some lacing.

Smell: Sour and tart, like apple cider, faint leather and wood, although lacking in crucial must and other aromas (no funk!)

Taste: Sharply and pleasantly sour, faint vinegar behind the tartness (but very faint). Hints of oak. No real funk or other niceties though. Leaves you wanting more in the flavor depatment.

Mouthfeel: Seems a bit thin, light carbonation

Drinkability: I enjoyed trying this one but not my favorite gueuze. Beter than I expected, and thankfully not sweet/fake/etc. Needs more funk and heft! Not Cantillon or 3F but will do in a pinch!

Serving type: on-tap

01-18-2011 03:21:32 | More by craytonic

metter98

New York

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The beer is slightly hazy pale yellow in color and poured with a thin creamy white head that slowly faded away and left a thick ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass. No carbonation is visible in the form of rising bubbles.
S: There are moderately strong sour aromas in the nose.
T: A sour flavor dominates the overall taste but this is not overpowering. There are notes of citrus and yeast.
M: It feels light-bodied and crisp on the palate with a low amount of carbonation. There is a bit of dryness in the finish.
D: The beer is very easy to drink compared to others in the style.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2011 02:13:25 | More by metter98

goldbot

District of Columbia

3.93/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at the new Rustico in Arlington, VA. Served in a tulip glass.

Nut brown color; cloudy throughout. No head or lacing, appears mostly flat. Fruity aroma of apple, raisins and a hint of dark cherry; earthy and powerful nose. Flavor of raisin and cherry at first with a bit of tartness, turning to an earthy, heavy-bodied taste with a bit of funk underlying the rest. Finishes quite sour with a mouth-puckering, fruity aftertaste. Overall, more fruity and tart than funky or earthy. Still a nice, balanced gueuze.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2010 13:24:42 | More by goldbot