Girardin Gueuze 1882 (Black Label) - Brouwerij Girardin

timtim

District of Columbia

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

i have noticed minor variations over the years/vintages. this review is for the batch that has 2012 on the cork. pours a light amber with a white head that pops and fizzes, but actually gets some decent life before shrinking to a collar. leaves a little lace as well. nose is divine. citrus, pith, and wood stand out most to me, but there is a heavy undercurrent of funk and something like a live mineral static thing going on as well. it just jumps in to my senses. awesome. taste is crisp, clean, defined, and sour. not crazy sour. medium body that is slick and almost prickly at the same time. clean, refreshing finish. just a beautiful beer that has it's own personality. more of a reserved character than some of it's counterparts, but somehow seems more classy. winner every time.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 11:41:22 | More by timtim

ThirstyHerf

Oklahoma

2.8/5  rDev -35%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75

From Blind BIF #6, Bottle #6, a cork & caged 500ml just like bottle #5, Cork comes out with ease and a nice little pop. Poured into my Half acre Tulip

A pours a hazy golden, dirty straw color with a hint of orange when held up to the light. a finger of bright white head sticks to the side of the glass as it tapers down in the middle. 4

S Again, the moment the bottle opened I knew I was in for something tart and sour the smells of lemons, grass, zest, tangerines, charred oak and musk. 4

T lemons, green apples, black pepper and malt vinegar are all over my palate with the initial sip. This seems very one dimensional. Something is wrong here. The charred oak character is transferring over and is an undesirable characteristic. Getting rotten tomatoes and musk. The flavor is starting to remind of something I once smelled in a garbage can... yet I cant stop drinking it.. 3

M low carbonation but a nice astringency and dryness to this one. The mouthfeel is a little thin but not to bad 3

O I am mixed about this sour. I dont know if it is an unblended lambic gone wrong, a Gueuze from a brewery with an off year or just an attempt at an american wild ale gone awry. I feel like ive had this before and was not impressed. I want to pour out the last third but cant stop drinking.. 3.5

The Reveal: Gueuze Girardin 1882 Black Label. This is about spot on from the last time I had this beer. Thanks Alewatcher! I am glad to have tried this beer blind and it is neat that my assessment is about the same. This seems like one Micah helped provide intel on.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2012 00:49:39 | More by ThirstyHerf

sjverla

Massachusetts

4.93/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Nose: Serious funk. Plenty of mildew and wet wood. Very basementy - or like a damp barn. Hints of fermented apples. A lingering vinegar burn in the nose.

Appearance: Hazy honey. Poured with a frothy white head that dissipated quickly, but laced modestly.

Taste: Tart straight off the bat, but very well balanced by distinct burnt-wood flavor. Super-earthy and fungal, it tastes almost like licking wet charcoal. Finish is long with a somewhat vinegary aftertaste. The feel is semi-dry and pleasant.

Overall: Supremely confusing. Very dynamic flavor that is largely foreign. Hints of un-popped popcorn kernels and mold. Very alive (or very dead) tasting.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 02:55:19 | More by sjverla

kojevergas

California

3.83/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

37.5cl green glass bottle with hood and wire top over a cork served into an Orval goblet in high altitude Castle Rock, Colorado. Reviewed live. Expectations are pretty high; I enjoy this style when it's done right.

A: Pours a one finger head of fair cream and thickness, and okay retention. Nontransparent dark copper colour.

Sm: Bacteria, souring hops, and some funk. A moderate strength aroma.

T: Heavy funk but limited sourness. Nicely balanced, not bothering to constrain its wonderful sourness, and well built for the style. I fancy its boldness and inspiration. It's pretty good.

Mf: Smooth and wet, suiting the style nicely. It doesn't intrude on the flavours, which is a good characteristic for this style in particular.

Dr: The flavours may not be horribly complex, but they're spot on for what they're trying to do. Very nicely constructed with the style in mind. Any fan of the style should try this. Not the best gueuze I've had, but a pretty good one.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 04:00:59 | More by kojevergas

crnipeter

Slovenia

3.88/5  rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours hazed, deep golden with orangeish hue topped by thick, incredibly persistent off white head that clings to the walls as slowly fades. The bottle has been resting for a while and cloudiness is a bit unexpected in this supposedly clear style.
Nose is mildly sour with gentle malt sweetness underneath. I pick up apples, rhabarb and horsey aroma, even faint urea. Sourness isn't the dominant aroma which is appreciated.

Flavor is more sour/acidic than the nose suggested, with some puckering quality and oaken notes accompanied by
low bitterness. I pick some grainy wheat as well but miss fruitiness unless the sourness and acidity can be in part attributed to the citrusy flavors.

Medium ligt and airy on the palate.

In short: A good Gueuze that's not overly sour/acidic, reminding me of Berliner Weisse.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 09:29:09 | More by crnipeter

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This poured out as a clear yellowish gold color without much head on top at all. It looks pretty flat actually more like a white wine. The smell of the beer was funky, very strong on the nose of wild fermentation. The taste was tart and dry much like most Gueuze Lambic's. The mouthfeel was smooth, not highly caronated at all and quite dry. Overall it's getting a little easier for me to drink these brews but they're still not my cup of tea really. I can't say I'd order it again but I'm happy to have at least tried it.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 23:35:30 | More by Knapp85

thagr81us

South Carolina

4.43/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks goes out to the BA (don't have spreadsheet in front of me) who traded this one with me in-person a long time back! 2005 Vintage! Served from bottle into a Mikkeller taster flute. Poured a hazy golden yellow with a half finger pure white head that subsided to a minimal amount quickly. Maintained very minimal lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, sour apples, vinegar, funk, earth, and subtle tart. The flavor was of sweet malt, big funk, earth, tart, and very subtle fruit. It had a light feel on the palate with medium-high carbonation. Overall this was a pretty good brew. I was really happy with how well this one held up with time. The funk was QUITE forward, but not in an invasive way. A really well done brew that I plan to buy many more of for my cellar. I suggest you do the same!

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2011 20:25:09 | More by thagr81us

VncentLIFE

North Carolina

4.28/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Review 150!!! yay for me (not to sound odd or anything).

2010 Vintage poured into a Hoegaarden hexagonal glass (thats as close as i have to a Gueuze glass)

I would love to do this thing order, but I cant get over the smell. It like punches you in the face. Sour apples and fruit rind are competing with barnyard funk and sourness. I cant call a winner (except for me). It poured darked than the average gueuze, body and head-which was a little more toward cream colored. Bubbly carbonation.

Im kind of scared to try it. It smells so sour and so funky. I taste apple cider vinegar and more apple cider with apple skins and tannin. Not overly complex, but not simplistic. Dry malts mingle around in the shadows. The sourness completely takes over your mouth for an instant filling it a funky sour feeling. The difference between Girardin and Cantillon is that Girardin doesnt leave many flavors behind. Cantillon's gueuze left a dry tannin white grapey feeling for a long time. Girardin comes with a full frontal assault of vinegar and funk, then subsides into the shadows of your mouth. Very dry feeling from the malt as well.

I can see where they were aiming, and they hit it. They went for straight barnyard funk and sour apple vinegar. It could improve with a little bit more lasting flavors and a touch of cirtic tartness. But i nit pick. One hell of a beer and a good replacement if Cantillon or Drie Fonteinen isnt around.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2011 20:51:32 | More by VncentLIFE

ReelBigwigFish

New Jersey

4.68/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

So excited to get this beer. Poured into tall fluted glass.

A: Hazy golden orange color with a very fizzy soda like carbonation, large head receding to a lumpy cm of froth. Sticky bubbly lacing.

S: Sour vinegar, green apples, lemon, musty funky earth, a touch of spice, oak.

T: Sour apple and lemon tartness, with a dry earthiness and oak. Very funky fruit flavors mixing with a sweetness that blends perfectly with the tart and sour flavors. Perfectly crafted.

M: Light and fizzy, sour with a dry middle and a mouthwatering finish.

O: As an American hop head, this is the kind of beer I never thought I'd be seeking out, but once you get a taste of a good sour.. your life will change. Every sip is to be cherished with a beer this good.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 04:33:35 | More by ReelBigwigFish

orangesol

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Drank this one as desert after our Thanksgiving meal.

A - Pours hazy orange with a small film of white head leaving no lace at all down the glass. This one appears to be dead in my glass...

S - Smells of lots of fruit; mostly lemon and green apples; light funk, and some acidic notes. It gets a little vinous toward the end of each sniff as it warms up.

T - Starts off with a nice sized dose of tartness quickly giving way to a mix of green apples, lemons, dry oak, and the ever present light funk. The mix of funk/tart to fruit is really nice. It wasn't as funky or tart as I was expecting going into it but I think this one was still pretty fresh. I would love to give an aged bottle a try one day.

M - Medium body and flavor with moderately low carbonation. Even tho this one was a little light on the carb I still enjoyed the light, funky, feel this one offered.

O - I am learning to love this style and this is one of the better examples. It has a very nice fruity character and the funk isn't overpowering. Awesome stuff.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2011 04:51:40 | More by orangesol

auroracrisis

Kentucky

4.58/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

375ml into a Boulevard tulip.

Dizzying marmalade orange with a 2cm head that sticks around.

Big notes of fruit similar to granny smith and lemons, with a solid barnyard funk. Haystacks, horse sweat, with a touch of must and sweat coming through the most on the end.

Fruit again, then sweaty socks and lemon on the tongue. Granny smith apparent behind the tart notes with more barnyard funk.

Medium thin and drying, with some stickyness on the lips.

Great funk and fruit, both displaying balance. An outstanding gueuze for the availability. On par or maybe even exceeding Drie Fonteinen.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2011 08:23:01 | More by auroracrisis

ehammond1

California

4.05/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle

Best Damn Sour Fest
Bootlegger
San Diego, CA

Orange and amber in color like a light cherry, at least in this dim lighting. The head is fairly large, persistent and near-white in color.

The aroma of this beer is particularly good. This has lots of the earthy, musty funk I love, but also a huge amount of tart sour lemon character as well. Very nice.

The flavor is a bit disappointing, though by no means bad. This isn't quite as tart as I prefer in my gueuzes, and a bit surprising after the particularly tart aroma. This is full of lovely funk and brick.

Thin to medium mouthfeel with ample carbonation.

A very good gueuze with a particularly great aroma, though I've had much better tasting ones within the style.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 17:59:15 | More by ehammond1

coreyfmcdonald

Georgia

4.43/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

375ml bottle into a flute glass

A: Hazy light amber color with a finger of carbonation atop the beer. Good.

S: Lactic sour with lots and lots of funk. I get a juicy peach aroma as well - makes my mouth water. Very, very good.

T: Juicy fruitiness, lactic sour flavor, and lots of funk. On the sweeter side for a gueuze, but well balanced. But, there is a ton of must and hay.

M: A bit thick for the style. The beer is less dry than I am used to for a gueuze, but quite good.

O: This beer is really quite funky. It is sweet for a gueuze, but balanced by significant sourness. I really enjoyed this beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2011 00:35:01 | More by coreyfmcdonald

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pointed the bottle away from me, released the cage, waited a few seconds...hen the cork shot out like a rocket in a fantastic parabola on the Florida beach. This is the life. How many guezes have I had today?

The beer is slightly hazy, appearing a light orange hue. The head is over an inch thick, and leaves a nice sheet of lacing on the glass.

The aroma offers citrus, funk, oak, the usual suspects.

Really easy to drink, hard not to guzzle. Masterfully blended. Citrus flavors sneak in and out among ever-present oak and funk presence. Delicious.

Slight pucker, masked alcohol, easy to drink. Great feel.

Overall, a terrific beer well deserving of its high rating.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2011 22:39:00 | More by Huhzubendah

PerHops

California

3.63/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This isn't the best gueuze I've had, but was still fun to try. Looked very appealing, nice bright copper color. Smell was pleasantly funky and sour. It started off nice and sour with lots of lemon and apples, but the finish was rather sweet for my liking. Very champagne like in finish and mouthfeel. Interesting beer, not my favorite gueuze.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 23:17:34 | More by PerHops

Falcon91Wolvrn03

California

4.05/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance – Cloudy orange amber color. Pours a thick head that stays with the beer and laces the side of the glass.

Smell – Lemon, grapefruit, and a hint of red wine.

Taste – A tart lemon flavor, with a hint of cider and grapes.

Mouthfeel – The tartness dominates the mouthfeel. The carbonation is light.

Drinkability – This is a nice gueuze. One of the better tart beers I’ve had.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2011 06:13:19 | More by Falcon91Wolvrn03

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.85/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Girardin Gueuze 1882 (Black Label) 2010

Appearance: Opens with a vigorous pop. The first pour with yeast reserved appears a bit darker than straw yellow, clear with a soapy, well retaining frothy head. Not unlike some champagne. Ten minutes later, the head is still perfect.

Smell: The room fills with the pleasing odor of gueuze. Tart, like fresh squeezed lemon juice. Funky, airy aroma. Basement citrus.

Taste: Very nice and rather intense sourness, strong acetic bite, soulful and uplifting flavor. An experience in the art of taste. Awesome Gueze here, meant to be sipped and savored. Lemon dances with piith of a kumquat or unripe citrus. Rind like. Wheat and barnyard elements are another layer. Oaky tannins lend a drying mouthfeel and taste of damp wood. Decently bitter, which plays off the sourness. Moreso sour than tart, and done so expertly.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, lingering sour. Refreshing in nature, mildly puckering, with just a slight warming alcohol. Exemplary in the dryness category (if there is such a thing) and the finesse of the brewers is worthy of compliment.

Overall: A quintessential example of its style, the Girardin Gueuze 1882 is an experience not to be missed. Intense to the unaccustomed, but a worthwhile endeavor for the connoisseur. Treat yourself to a bottle, and discover a piece of beer folklore.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2011 05:45:21 | More by Stinkypuss

Alieniloquium

Florida

4.38/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

375 mL bottle poured into a goblet. I couldn't find any date on the bottle.

Appearance - Mostly clear, light amber body, which is surprising. It's darker and clearer than I expected. Nice white head and sticky lacing all around.

Smell - Tart flavors first, but it's not a bright tartness. It's like a white pepper aroma followed by a danker funk and some light fruitiness. It never quite achieves a full level of barnyard funk in the smell, but it's nice. I crave that moldy cheese smell from these beers.

Taste - Tart, but not puckering, and that white pepper flavor hits immediately after. It fills the mouth and eases into some nice funk, but still the tartness is there. It's full flavored in the middle, with everything melding nicely. It eventually finishes with a peppery, tart, and dry aftertaste.

Mouthfeel - Light, but the flavors coat the mouth very well. The flavors blend so nicely and last for so long that I don't find myself missing the funkiness that is somewhat missing from this gueuze.

Overall - I'm pegging this one down in the overall because it's very tart-centric. I craved some horse blanket and was somewhat let down. I do think that it accentuates the flavors it has so well, though, that it's still an excellent beer. I found myself increasing the ratings as I drank the beer and wrote this review.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2011 23:01:55 | More by Alieniloquium

LambicKing

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Purchased this bottle at BVS Drinkcenter. Poured into my Oud Zottegems glass.

A: Cork gave a loud pop when freed, but no eruption. Pours a nice light copper color with 3 fingers of off-white head.

S: Lots of vinegar in the nose. Moderate funk and decent sour (citrus) notes in the background.

T: Vinegar is what hits me first. Then funk, then lemony acids last. As I go through the beer, the tartness begins to take more of the center stage. I like this quality much more than too much vinegar.

M: Perfect carb, perfect dryness...couldn't ask for a better palate.

O: Quite a bit different than 3F or Cantillon's oude gueuze. I like this beer, but not to the point of the kings' versions. I'm surprised because the last few times I've had this beer, I thought it rivaled 3F and Cantillon. Not today. Still a nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2011 21:21:48 | More by LambicKing

armock

New York

4.43/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to scottfrie for being an awesome BA and hooking me up with this bottle.

A - Poured a copper color with a thin white head that leaves some spotty lacing

S - Has an awesome funky and tart nose

T - Much like the smell starts off pretty tart then the funky flavors come out

M - This beer has a medium body with higher carbonation to it

O - I love this stuff it has a very good tartness to it but its not over bearing like a lot of American wilds so the heart burn doesn't kick in after every sip if you like sours this is a must try classic example

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 07:23:35 | More by armock

TRICKYD1CK

France

4.65/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

First sour purchased and I'm in love! Perhaps my new FAVORITE style!

A - Looks like a dark apple cider: cloudy orange with very little head

S - Smells tart. Like you left some half-eaten citrus fruits sitting on the counter all day.

T - Words can hardly describe. Like biting into a lemon with the refreshing body and carbonation of beer poured down your throat at the same time!

M - Substantial carbonation, but it's light (i.e. many small bubbles that don't foam up as you swish it around in your mouth). Juicy + wonderful.

O - Truly delicious stuff. If you love grapefruits, prefer your lemonade with as little sugar and water as possible, or were an avid Warhead eater as a child, this is the alcoholic beverage for you.

Dry, brown ales will always hold a special place in my heart, but damn, this might be my new go-to dink. Goes great with food - particularly salads or stir-fries - and works well as a refreshing beverage on its own. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2011 17:44:19 | More by TRICKYD1CK

jmarsh123

Indiana

3.9/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a bright orange with an almost non-existent head.

Smells of funk some sour light fruits (pears, apricot) and a little bit of white wine.

Starts out with a very sour tart lemon flavor. I get a few hints of sour cherry throughout the flavor as well. Slightly funky, but leaves a good tart aftertaste.

Fairly light mouthfeel with high almost champagne carbonation levels.

I don't have much experience in gueuzes and after the smell was a bit worried, but the tartness more than balanced out the funk and it ended up being a very enjoyable beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2011 23:41:50 | More by jmarsh123

kscaldef

Oregon

4.15/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours clear and copper, nearly flat

S: Winey, with cherry and apricot. A bit of funk, but not excessive

T: A lot of white wine flavors here, apricot pits and flint, strongly herbal finish with a bit of lemon peel.

M: Basically flat, but clean and crisp. Somewhat bitter, astrigent finish. Good linger.

O: I'd definitely recommend this as a beer with food. By itself, the finish is a bit too much. However, together with food, it's delightful and palate cleansing. I'd grab this again if I had a chance.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 01:57:33 | More by kscaldef

GONZALOYANNA

Spain

3.63/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750ml bottle served in a Flute glass.Enjoyed on mar´11.Pours light golden copper in color.Foggy.Fading,medium bubble, 0,5cm frothy head.Foam is yellowish white in color.Wet earth & wet grass aromas on nose,rounded by granny smith apple & citric hues.Dry tartar mouthfeel not crispy but vivant.Citrics attack on the aftertaste while leaving such an smooth sour taste.Carbonic is well balanced.Not founded as refreshing as expected but ligth body makes it very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2011 01:26:01 | More by GONZALOYANNA

Goldfish19

New York

4.33/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle purchased from Big Z Beverage in Huntington, NY.

Vintage: 2009

This beer pours a hazy golden color with a small, almost non-existent head. Most will say to pour slowly and leave the sediment behind, but screw it, I poured out the whole thing, goodies and all!

The smell is classic Gueuze: Funk, horse blanket, sour fruit.

A sensational mouth puckering sour goodness sums things up in the taste department.

The body is medium and consists of light carbonation, ending then with a dry, clean finish. I can drink this liquid gold all night long, but unfortunately, it's all gone.

Overall: A true classic!

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2011 03:23:14 | More by Goldfish19