Armand'4 Oude Geuze Lente (Spring) - Brouwerij Drie Fonteinen

kevanb

Illinois

4.86/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

750ml bottle poured into a Drie Fonteinen tumbler.

The beer pours a lovely copper color, hazy complexion, many bubbles rising to the top of the glass with a great, 3 finger, white, cloudy head that has impressive retention, lasting the entire session that leaves behind a great amount of sticky lacing. The aroma is wonderful, lots of signature funk, bright grapefruit citrus, lemongrass, chewy oak, rosewater, nice and complex, lightly tart and acidic, everything you want from a great geuze. The flavors are super bright and vibrant, citrus, grapefruit, lemongrass, light funk, zesty yeast, floral, meadowy flavors pop out as well. A nice oaky barrel character is ever present that helps blend everything together in perfect harmony. Every sip brings out something new, something more complex, the citrus is super fresh, the floral flavors are so light and layer themselves so well with the funky, oaky elements. The body is super light, crisp and lively, dances on the tongue so well but finishes so smoothly and freshly.

Verdict: Just a spectacular Geuze from Drie Fonteinen and arguably the best of the Armand'4 series, the flavors are just so fresh and balanced, the complexity is only matched by a small few and the aroma is so wonderful that this really is the whole package of a perfect Geuze.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 22:15:15 | More by kevanb

Retail1LO

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev -0.4%

06-11-2013 00:10:29 | More by Retail1LO

gueuzedreg

Colorado

4.75/5  rDev -0.4%

06-04-2013 17:05:03 | More by gueuzedreg

NCBeerFan

North Carolina

4.75/5  rDev -0.4%

06-02-2013 22:22:35 | More by NCBeerFan

Anonymous1

Illinois

5/5  rDev +4.8%

06-01-2013 03:51:00 | More by Anonymous1

oldp0rt

Quebec (Canada)

4.75/5  rDev -0.4%

05-26-2013 20:27:36 | More by oldp0rt

justforrazors

Missouri

5/5  rDev +4.8%

05-26-2013 16:11:02 | More by justforrazors

tom10101

Quebec (Canada)

4.75/5  rDev -0.4%

05-19-2013 16:54:50 | More by tom10101

coryking

Missouri

4.75/5  rDev -0.4%

05-08-2013 18:28:52 | More by coryking

pperez38

California

4.75/5  rDev -0.4%

05-02-2013 09:55:30 | More by pperez38

VAbdoyan

California

5/5  rDev +4.8%

05-02-2013 07:04:31 | More by VAbdoyan

cfrances33

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev -0.4%

04-29-2013 01:39:44 | More by cfrances33

ElGallo

New Hampshire

5/5  rDev +4.8%

04-21-2013 01:23:27 | More by ElGallo

beernads

Florida

5/5  rDev +4.8%

04-11-2013 07:04:12 | More by beernads

Caudalie

Quebec (Canada)

5/5  rDev +4.8%

04-05-2013 20:59:32 | More by Caudalie

Beerenauslese

California

5/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This pours a slightly hazy golden amber body with a thick light beige head. Curtains of sticky lacing and pretty good head retention.

The nose is complex and inviting, with lemon, vanilla, grassy herbs, and a hint of toffee sugar.

This has such a delightful taste, a fresh lemon tartness balanced by toffee sugar, while the oak aging provides spice and light tannins. Aged hops provide just a small amount of bitterness in the finish. It is hard to imagine how blending young and old lambics can actually produce such a wonderful tasting beer, but thankfully here it is. It is not overpowered by funk or wildness; it is more like a wild beast that has been tamed.

This is light bodied and the carbonation is moderate, producing a mousey light and airy mouthfeel like a good champagne.

I could drink this forever it is so addictively satisfying. Each sip provokes the next. If any beer does, I think this qualifies hands down for the champagne of beers title. It is like a perfect lemon confection (reminds me of lemon tarts, lemon squares) yet more complex with a spicy lingering finish. Nothing is off in this beer, it is the evocation of spring.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 02:45:50 | More by Beerenauslese

celticfutblclub

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +4.8%

03-30-2013 15:39:33 | More by celticfutblclub

Gonzoillini

Illinois

5/5  rDev +4.8%

03-21-2013 00:24:31 | More by Gonzoillini

zestar

California

4.75/5  rDev -0.4%

03-20-2013 08:25:03 | More by zestar

getinked

California

5/5  rDev +4.8%

03-16-2013 15:44:51 | More by getinked

SkiBum22

New York

4.5/5  rDev -5.7%

03-15-2013 11:36:56 | More by SkiBum22

yourefragile

District of Columbia

4.75/5  rDev -0.4%

03-15-2013 02:11:46 | More by yourefragile

drummermattie02

Texas

4.5/5  rDev -5.7%

03-12-2013 14:24:16 | More by drummermattie02

Damian

Massachusetts

4.94/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Drank from a 75 cl corked and caged bottle
Lot 19/03/2010 - Best voor 03/2020
Served in a Drie Fonteinen tumbler
Acquired in a trade with mikesgroove

Review #750

Gorgeous, glowing, deep amber appearance. Much darker and more colorful than any other gueuze I have seen. A fluffy, bright white, one-finger head topped the liquid. The head quickly dissipated to a thick, clingy ring. Dots of lacing trickled down the glass.

The nose was remarkable. Incredibly complex and dynamic, and also quite intense. The first thing that struck me was the potent, oaky/barrel character. Very woodsy and earthy. Lots of barnyard and fresh hay aromas. This three-year-old bottle smelled much more aged than I was anticipating. Surprisingly, the acidic/vinegar notes were quite restrained.

The flavor profile was just as impressive as the nose. Strong lemon rind and hay-like notes led things off behind a crackery malt base. Tons of oaky, barrel flavor. Super musty and funky. Intense barnyard notes. Moderately tart. Like the nose, the flavor profile demonstrated restraint in the acidity department. Lots of lemon and lime notes on the back end and also in the crisp, bone dry finish. Woody and somewhat tannic with a fair amount of earthy hop bitterness. All in all, very balanced for the style and immensely quaffable.

Impressive mouthfeel. The liquid had a surprising amount of heft for the style but was still light and fluffy on the palate. Creamy, smooth and supple with a fine, prickly effervescence.

Armand'4 Oude Geuze Lente is far and away the best gueuze I have ever tried and is definitely in my top 5 beers of all time. For such a remarkably flavorful beer of this style, I was mesmerized by its ability to maintain such balace. All in all, a truly memorable drinking experience.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 20:41:56 | More by Damian

claaark13

Indiana

4.75/5  rDev -0.4%

03-05-2013 20:20:27 | More by claaark13