Cantillon Cuvée Des Champions - Brasserie Cantillon

ngeunit1

California

4.44/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Slightly hazy golden-orange with a finger of frothy white head. Fades normal.

S - Sweet wheat, oak, vanilla, barnyard funk, tart green fruits, lactic acid, citrus hops, lemon zest, light sourness.

T - Sweet wheat, oak, vanilla, barnyard funk, tart green fruits, lactic acid, lemon zest, light citrus and floral hops, light sourness.

M - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth with a funky, tart, sour finish.

D - Fantastic balance and complexity, the hops are a great addition.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 07:07:16 | More by ngeunit1

DoubleJ

California

4.09/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A frehs bottle poured at the source itself. Poured into a Cantillon branded chalice. On to the beer:

This dry hopped gueuze is orange colored with a crisp, low head. Some creaminess is given off from the head, not common with the style. The aroma brings a big note of grassy hops, along with a little tartness and hay. It's not grossly sour or taste in taste. It's fun and refreshing. There's a mix of swert tart flavor and modest sour lemon with the vibrant grass notes. Medium bodied is the beer, with light carbonation and mellow texture.

A twist on the usual gueuze. Personally, I'm more fond of a more tart gueuze than a hoppy one, however there's little doubt that this is fun to drink.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 22:06:52 | More by DoubleJ

beerpirates

Belgium

4.2/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 750 mL bottle ( st gilloise ) into a tulip glass.

A- Poured a dark maize color. Three fingers width of white head, reduced to a ring over time. Very murky.

S- Very nice blend of various aromas. Getting lots of oak and a familiar barnyard mustiness in the nose. Also noticeable is distinct sour lemon/citrus fruit aroma.

T- Upfront there is a definite note of lemon tartness with oak underneath. This tartness eventually fades towards the middle, giving way to a earthy, grass-like flavor. There is some oak, wood flavors in there as well. The beer finishes with slightly bitter hops.

M- One of the better mouthfeels on a lambic. Light body, yet carries a feeling of fullness due to the carbonation. Finishes rather dry.

D- This one goes down very easily, given that this beer was not overly tart. Could be a great session beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 08:48:15 | More by beerpirates

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

This poured out as a hazy yellowish orange color. The head is decent looking, thin retention with a pretty good lacing. The smell of the beer gives off a good amount of funk along with grassy malt. The taste of the beer is along the lines of a Gueuze and a pilsner. Tart and slightly sour, some grains and wheat hidden in the faith distance. The mouthfeel is smooth, nicely carbonated and drinkable. Overall this beer is really quite nice.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 00:17:37 | More by Knapp85

soulgrowl

United Kingdom (England)

4.25/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Looks like clover honey, hazy and golden. Not much head. Funky, classic lambic aroma with lots of plasticky medicinal notes, ripe pears, dried apricot, a faint hint of lychee, and pleasant, grassy hops. Lip-smackingly, puckeringly acidic and very refreshing. Sour apple, sourdough, white grapefruit... really juicy, relentlessly sour but very moreish and mouthwatering. There's a touch of passionfruit and this intriguing violet-like floral quality in the finish, as well. Not quite 'easy drinking' on account of its acidity, but really very delicious.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 18:00:35 | More by soulgrowl

Etan

Illinois

4.39/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

750ml, 2012 vintage, into a snifter.

A: Pours a glowing straw-orange with a nice white head.

S. Citrusy character from the dry hopping and acidity, tart and horsey, light wheat, a bit lactic.

T. Light lactic and pineapple brett, moderate oaky tartness, sour mango, wet hay, subtle hop bitterness.

M. Light and frothy body.

O. A very fruity geuze, more on the bright rather than earthy side, thanks to the brett and the dry hopping. Very drinkable and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2013 07:00:12 | More by Etan

scottfrie

California

4.11/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Snifter, reviewed from notes. Thanks for sharing, Russ.

Pours a lightly hazy golden with a finger of what head that faded into a good long-lasting collar. I’m getting a lot of stone fruits on the nose and palate including apricot and peach. The taste is full of more citrus notes than the nose let on. Earthy spice and a bit of yeasty funk balance out the fruit and lend some tartness to the mouthfeel. The finish is very dry, and I’m getting some citrus rind bitterness in the aftertaste. Low carbonation, tart dry mouthfeel, medium body. Another great Cantillon, I need to get my hand on some of this stuff. Thanks again Russ.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 17:07:47 | More by scottfrie

dgilks

Australia

4.56/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Hazy bright golden colour with big, creamy white head. Decent head retention for the style.

Wonderful aroma. Nice combination of tropical fruit, lime, earthy funk, oak and spicy hops. Very nice and well balanced.

Again the flavour combines a punch of fruit, tartness and hops. The funk is a little subdued but the tropical fruit and earthy, spicy hops is great. Moderate bitterness. Moderately tart. Incredibly balanced for a Cantillon Gueuze.

Medium body with moderate carbonation. Solid.

A wonderful lambic. The dry hopping adds a nice note and the balance of yeast flavours in this one are great.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 07:35:47 | More by dgilks

writerLJBerg

Oregon

4.43/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

2011 cork date. Split two ways. Consumed on 1-11-13, reviewed from notes.

A: Clear copper with a foaming white head. Serene inside of the glass.

N: Delicious. Musty hops, lemon zest, and attic spaces. Oak holds down the fort with some black peppercorns and graininess. Hints of grapefruit and pineapple.

T: Lemons, straw filled barn stalls, pineapple, horse blanket, oats, and wood. There’s a very balanced sourness here and some excellent funk. Tart without being grotesquely sour.

M: Perfect. Like drinking a pilsner it goes down so smoothly.

O: Accomplished beer and one of my favorites in the Cantillon pantheon. The hops and the lambic work for me.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 17:04:22 | More by writerLJBerg

claspada

New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a bright gold color with an average size white foamy bubbly head that recedes to leave some spotty lacing.

Aromas begin with barnyard funk, lemon and hints of grassiness from the hops. As it warms it gets much more funky to an almost cheese-like level, maybe that is the combo of Belgian funk yeast and the choice of the dry hops. Oak and some mustiness exist as well.

The tastes follow the nose with lemon, and grassy hops, then some cheesy funk and some more emerging earthy, musty funk notes. Wet hay and other dusty musty oak flavors add to the complexity as it warms.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium carbonation. Finish is super funky, not super sour, but really musty and oaky.

Overall I enjoyed this beer albeit being nothing like I was expecting. I have not had a Cantillon with this much hop character but it was a nice chance of pace. There is the typical Cantillon funk which cannot be replicated to complement the dry hops and create a unique yet enjoyable experience.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 15:13:49 | More by claspada

homebrew311

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance is cloudy orange with a short dense head that doesn't last long. Nose is funky. Tons of sourdough, lemon, and a slight hint towards a sulphuric character. Notes of hay and dry oak. Very complex on the nose. Taste starts funky with lemon, bready sourdough character, drying tart character towards the end. Some grape skin in there as well. Mouthfeel is dry and highly carbonated. Overall, a very complex and unique brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 00:17:45 | More by homebrew311

larryi86

Delaware

4.48/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750 mL bottle, 2012, poured into a flute

A- Hazy golden yellow with three finger white head.

S- Funky, some citrusy and earthy hops, somewhat sour.

T- Tart, tea like taste, oak, green apples, touch of funk, some lemons.

M- Smooth, crisp, light body, dry.

O- Very drinkable and tasty. Not that complex but very well balanced. It could have a big nose and taste but it is really a treat.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 23:33:19 | More by larryi86

MattSweatshirt

Texas

4.15/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Smudged label but looks like a 2011 bottle.

Pours out a hazy gold with a big white head in a Cantillon tulip.

An inviting aroma of lemon, orange, hay, earth, wood, and spice. Seems a little fruitier than most unfruited lambics I've come across.

Nice drinkable level of tartness. Lots of that lemon tartness. Grass and hay. Light cheese and spice.

Drinks smooth with light carbonation.

Easy drinking yummy beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 05:55:11 | More by MattSweatshirt

Chico1985

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2012 vintage, bottle date being 6-27-12. Had a small sample of this (different vintage) at Ebenezer's a couple years back, wasn't sure I'd ever get to try this again/4 realz. Thanks to cbutova for breaking out the big guns for his 1000th review.

Pours a hazy peach orange color. A white head retains pretty well, eventually turning to a thick ring+patchy cap near the end.

Nice buggy funk, lemon, sour fruits make up the scent. Nice potency.

Taste follows suit, lemon, oak, socky funk, some sour citrus, some white wine-like notes. Pure smooth Cantillon, not over the top in any way, an easy drinking gueuze.

Very smooth, medium carbonation, pleasure to drink.

Definitely not as in-your-face as most Cantillons, but that is the appeal for this beer in my opinion. This is probably the smoothest, easiest drinking beer I've had from them, yet it doesn't sacrifice their signature flavor profile to do so. Awesome stuff.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 19:08:19 | More by Chico1985

cbutova

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Review #1000, crazy that this day has finally come. The best beer I could bring out of the cellar and still review. Cantillon always does the trick. I have had this once before but it was a 2004 vintage consumed at Ebenezers in 2009 and I only remember a few things.

Bottled June 27th, 2012.

A- Poured out with a hazy golden body. A white head forms to a finger or two in size with a silky, creamy texture. The foam retains fairly nicely and leaves a thick ring around the top of the beer. This ring leaves spotty lace but still on par with other Cantillons I have had.

S- Certainly not the strongest overall of Cantillon offerings, it doesn't hit you quite as hard. Signature Cantillon funk, acetic acid, tart apples and grapes, oak, lemon and that nice horsey barnyard feel.

T- Pretty much the only thing I remembered from the 2004 vintage was how drinkable this was. It is like the Classic Gueuze but a bit tamer in most ways. A good sour character but not at the level of the Classic or Kriek. Notes of tart apples, apricot and its pit, sour grapes, oak, white wine, lemon juice and funk. Horsey barnyard goodness. The one thing I really notice differently from other Cantillon is an herbal note, maybe from the dry hopping, certainly some hop bitterness too.

MF- Lighter body dried out by all of the wild bugs and yeast. Carbonation level is lower-moderate and foamy. Sourness gains with time and is at a great level.

Similar to the Classic Gueuze but a bit toned down with sourness and funk. Also somewhat of a hop feel with bitterness and an herbal hint. Solid and very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 05:07:58 | More by cbutova

rudzud

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up a bottle of this up in VT during my travels. This is a 2011 vintage. Poured into my Duvel tulip.

A - Pours a nice crystal clear vibrant gold with a one finger head that quickly faded to leave a super thin fizzy cap that never left.

S - Getting ALOT of musty funk on this one. Mostly the basement funk here with some super light citrus. Not really as potent as most Cantillons.

T - Very, very sour here. Which is pretty nice. Not getting much fruit/citrus just super sour dusty sacks/basement. Really different. Not a super huge fan but it is tasty. The finish is the lingering sour with light wood and some light vinous qualities. Not as complex as other Cantillons.

M - Mouthfeel is solid as usual. Nice light, carbonation, super dry and tart.

O - Overall, while this is a tasty beer its possibly my least favourite Cantillon. For me, it just lacks the complexity of others.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 03:39:18 | More by rudzud

BeerNFoodDood

Colorado

4.98/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a bottle into a tulip glass, very slightly chilled.

The nose is so complex. There is lots of citrus and spice from the dry hopping. I smell lemon, lime and grapefruit zest. There is a woody, musty. funky smell to it that is truly intriguing. I can smell some rick stone fruit in there as well.

The beer is carbonated nicely with visible yeast on the bottom. There is some citrus on the tongue but not as prevalent as the nose. Some oak in there but not overwhelming. Very delicious geuze. Extremely complex while being incredibly session-able.

Recommend to anyone.

Cheers

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 02:08:58 | More by BeerNFoodDood

Brew33

Ohio

4.48/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Finally, finally I get a crack at Cuvee Saint-Gilloise.

The pour is typical Cantillon Gueuze. Bright yellow, with a thin white head that disappates almost instantly. The nose is full of the sour, juicy, mouth-watering aromas. But there is also a big, citrusy, hop aroma. I couldn't believe how hoppy the nose was. It made for an interesting combo that I had never experienced before.

After my first sip of these beer I was perplexed. Definitely the least sour Cantillon beer I've ever had. Not to say it isn't sour, it certainly is. But the hop bitterness or youth of this beer keeps the pucker factor pretty low. It's absolutely delicious. The restrained tartness really lets some of the other elemnets shine. Dry grain, light brett notes, some tropical fruit. This thing is a gem!

Mouthfeel was spot on. Perfect carbonation and mouthfeel.

Overall, another stellar beer from Cantillon.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 14:52:28 | More by Brew33

Thehuntmaster

South Africa

4/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle 5,0% Abv.
Served chilled in an over sized wine glass.
2010 Vintage.

Appearance: Cuvee St. Gilloise pours a moderately hazed golden-orange colour, while a rough pour yields a large white head. The head lasts fairly well, but leaves very little lace.

Smell: The nose is not quite as powerful as I expected, but it still smells quite interesting. Standard geuze notes of tart fruits (citrus, green apple and white grapes), earthy dust, old sacks, musty basement, dry hay, a little vinegar and a touch of cheese are well noted, alongside interesting additions of sweet grass, fresh foliage and a hint of a floral character (could this be the hops?).

Taste: As with the nose, the flavour is not as strong as I would like, but I guess the bar is set pretty high when it comes to Cantillon. Notes include: Tart citrus (lemon and orange), tart white grapes, a hint of apricot, white wine vinegar, old wood, musty notes, old hay, dust and a little sweet grass. The finish is quite dry and displays just a touch of bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Light-medium bodied, with a very high level of soft carbonation.

Overall: Cuvee St. Gilloise is a solid sour, but it seems to lack the power and complexity of other beers from Cantillon.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 09:02:57 | More by Thehuntmaster

Alieniloquium

Florida

4.33/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

375 mL bottle poured into a snifter. Bottled 1/29/2010. Reviewed from notes.

Appearance - Barely a pop. Small white head atop a mostly clear body.

Smell - Herbal. Funky. Less acidic than a Cantillon usually is. More in the 3F vein. White pepper in the back.

Taste - Back to the true Cantillon sourness. Strong white wine notes and it gets herbal again after the sourness fades. The finish is far less acidic.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied. Strong wine presence that takes away from its spritz.

Overall - Excellent. Maybe lacking in complexity, but the flavors it has are phenomenal.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 19:15:52 | More by Alieniloquium

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle, poured into a lambic glass; 03-04 vintage

A somewhat dull orange underneath a thin layer of foam. The head was creamy and long lasting, never fully receding. The nose is full of tart apple, leather, tobacco, cider vinegar, and white grape skins. Soft and complex, with equal parts sweet and tart. The tartness leaps onto the palate with a punch of flavor. First, it was a good amount of earthy tones, then white grapes, tobacco, green apples, cider vinegar, sea salt, aged cheese, and a light, old oak flavor burst onto the palate. Holy complexity. Just waves of flavor on top of a bed of sour. Light to medium body, low carbonation with a sharp acidity. This is a damn fine gueuze with a tremendous amount of complexity. It could take days to truly break down everything going on.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 20:32:01 | More by ColForbinBC

thagr81us

South Carolina

4/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks goes out to MSquared2 for sharing this one during a fair sized Cantillon tasting! 2011 Vintage! Served from bottle into a Cantillon balloon. Poured fluorescent orange with a minimal white head. Maintained excellent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, fruit, fruit hop, funk, tart, and herbal. The flavor was of sweet malt, fruit, fruit hop, funk, wood, sour, spice, and herbal. It had a light feel on the palate with high carbonation. Overall this was a good brew. The hop character on this one really added a very unique touch to this style that I never would have thought possible. The fruit hoppiness really blended quite well with this brew and kept me interested after each sip. This could be a good gateway for some who like fruity hops and want to get into sours. Will be interesting to see what some age does to this brew as the hops start to fade. But as is, this is still a very solid brew.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 11:07:09 | More by thagr81us

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.5/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Cuvee Saint-Gilloise Bottled on 04 Oct 2010, Opened on 9.25.12.

A - Pours a clear, copper orange with a huge off-white frothy head with amazing retention.

S - Lots of funk, green apples and pears are most noticeable.

T - Nice barnyard funk, then some tart lemon, apples, pears, and hay.

D - Tons of carbonation with a light body. A crisp light finish on the tongue.

O - More muted, but I love the apple/pear flavors that dominate.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 04:45:26 | More by HuskyinPDX

Tnudish

Wisconsin

4.05/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Opened for Sour Day 2012. Picked this up recently at Binny’s, 2011 vintage.

A-Poured into a Duvel tulip. Saint Gilloise pours a cloudy orange in color with about a half finger worth of tight white head.

A-Nose is exceptional, you can definitely detect a good hop presence from the dry hopping, there is also lambic, some urine, and must.

T-Flavor is less focused on the hops and more on the lemon. The hops are more in the background with some moderate funk.

M-Light mouthfeel, light carbonation, heavy lactic acidity, and a long finish.

O-Great beer that is a nice change of pace for Cantillon. I really like the hop character that St. Gilloise and Cuvée des Champions have, it’s a nice compliment to the lambic. Still prefer Cuvée des Champions more than St. Gilloise, but both are awesome.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2012 17:39:27 | More by Tnudish

BBP

Ontario (Canada)

4.48/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours hazy gold with not too much of a head, but a head that held for the duration of the drink. Some slight lacing came up as well.

The aroma was fragrant and crisp. Tart came through as well as citrus and some slight vinegar.

The flavor was very smooth and incredibly refined for a gueuze. While it was very sour, it never really led with that aspect. It represented itself with a ton of tart, as well as some grassy hops, bready malt, and citrus. While it sounds like a basic formula, the beauty was in the balance. Regretably, I can taste the complexities in the drink, but struggle to put them into words. It was a graceful, balanced drink, while still being a bith sharp and exciting.

The body was medium full and medium heavy. Carbonation was integrated so perfectly that I could have forgotten it was there. For a lighter beer of this style that's quite an accomplishment. The finish was moderately dry and slightly sticky.

Overall, this has to be the most refined gueuze I've had to date. It might not have been the most memorable, due to its lower alcohol and smoother taste, yet I think I would say that it was the finest crafted I've had yet. I sort of think of this as the gold standard for gueuzes now.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 03:25:02 | More by BBP