Cantillon Zwanze 2008 - Brasserie Cantillon

fmccormi

New York

4.38/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Redlight Red Light in Orlando, FL; poured to a small wine glass (4oz pour, as per the directions of Cantillon for Zwanze Day).

Appearance (4.0): Poured with minimal white head, with little retention or lacing. The body is a chill-hazy peach color, and very pretty. Head could be a bit fuller, but otherwise this is about right for the style, and the body is just gorgeous.

Smell (4.0): There’se a nice, even mix of lactic and acetic acid tones in the nose, smelling a bit like kombucha. Some tart peach and just the lightest rhubarb scents make their way into the nose, but really it’s mostly composed of the scents you’d expect from a well put-together, light-bodied sour.

Taste (4.5): Quite a bit more rhubarb that in the nose, and it’s quite tart. More lactic than acetic, and the funk is minimal. It finishes with a clean, mildly acetic finish, but leaves some mild cheesy-funky tones in the aftertaste. Incredibly drinkable. The rhubarb is unmistakable, though—very well-balanced and well-integrated into the sour character. The tartness is present and full but not harsh in any way—this is a very approachable, but dry, full-flavored sour.

Mouthfeel (4.5): Very, very nice—spritzy, without being prickly or tingling too much, and has a light body with a palpable character nonetheless. Very dry finish, never too sour at all.

Overall (4.5): Excellent—well-done. This feels like the balanced product of a brilliant idea and a natural fit: using rhubarb in a light, golden sour ale, and it’s a delightful little beer. Appetizing, entertaining, and palate-cleansing all at once. Could easily drink a large bottle of this by myself—4oz is far too little! Glad to have gotten to try this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2012 14:45:59 | More by fmccormi

jaasen64

Massachusetts

4.48/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This review is for Zwanze '12. Served at Lord Hobo for Zwanze Day of course!! Drank side by side with the Cantillon unblended 2-year lambic (see separate review).

A- Pours a slightly hazy golden without very much of head, just a slight white ring along the side of the glass that wasn't present on the unblended lambic. Slightly hazier and more carbonated then the unblended lambic, but other then that it was slightly similar.

S- Funky, musty, smells kind of like a basement, rhubarb definitely comes out giving it a little bit of an earthy smell. Smells similar to the unblended lambic but the rhubarb definitely comes out and gives it more character.

T- Funky, some must, a little bit of vinegar acidity, a nice rhubarb quality that comes out and blends very well with the must. Fairly similar to the unblended lambic with a little bit more of an earthy rhubarb quality. Similar funkiness as the other Cantillons.

M- Medium bodied, decent carbonation for a lambic, easy to drink.

O- Zwanze '12 was very good and definitely lived up to my expectations. It was awesome being able to drink it side by side with the unblended 2-year lambic which was pretty much the base beer. You could definitely tell how the rhubarb imparted a nice slightly fruited earthy taste that balanced very well with the musty funk characteristic of the Cantillon lambic. Overall I wish I could drink this much more often and I think it was better then the '10 Zwanze which is the only other I've had. You definitely missed out if you missed Zwanze day!

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2012 04:51:54 | More by jaasen64

Etan

Illinois

4/5  rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Roscoe Village Pub, in conjunction with WLV for Zwanze 2012.

A: Brassy orange body with a nice white head.
S. Lots of dry rhubarb and mushroom funk in the nose. The rhubarb is slightly tart and melds into the aroma well.
T. Rhubarb in the front, dry and tart, with some pineapple-like acidity and earthy hay. Wheat and mild brett character as well.
M. Light-bodied with light carbonation.
O. Very good, but not my favorite fruit lambic from Cantillon. The rhubarb is interesting, but not very assertive, leaving the beer feeling a bit too simple.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2012 04:29:10 | More by Etan

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On Tap at Monk's Cafe in Philadelphia.

Poured into a wne glass, this years version of Zwanze casts a golden color with a semi yellow shade to itself. Bubbles rising up forming a half inch of plain white bubbles forming a healty cap. No stickage to the glass, but the foam sticks around a bit, nice retention. Smell explodes with Rhubarb mixed in with those musky Cantillon scents. I also cant help but to smell a diaper everytime I sniff this, which I never really experienced in a young lambic before, maybe fresh st. Lamvinous though. Some berry pops out with warming. One of the weirder smelling Cantillons to date. Taste is Rhubarb forward, tangy, tart, musty. Oak comes through hen it comes up to temp with some faint berry flavor. Semi acidic in the mouth with a light body and a lively carb presense. This was a tasty lambic, yet not my favorite Zwanze. Maybe Rhubarb just aint my thing.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2012 04:05:56 | More by onix1agr

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Somehow didn't review this the first time around, but now I get a second chance thanks to Zwanze Day at Armsby Abbey.

Very light fizzy head covering, typical for lambic, hazy golden orange color.

Nose great tart fruit funky lambic, light sour rhubarb, light bready malts, lambic like, hint lemon, little cherry like.

Taste rhubarb right off, tart funky sour fruit, funky earthy wild, sour cherry and lemon fruit, light bready malts, yeasty, funky, delicious lambic flavors. Light acid compared to other lambic, but nice. Finish is dry and sour, tart fruit and rhubarb, dry bready malts and light yeast lingering.

Mouth is med to lighter bodied, tart fruit and nice acidity, light but nice carb.

Overall awesome.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2012 04:02:11 | More by jlindros

kevanb

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at West Lakeview Liquors Zwanze Day Party

Pours a nice copper color, fairly hazy, a nice layer of soapy head sits atop the beer, moderate retention, good lacing. The aroma is superb, wonderfully fresh rhubarb, tart and juicy, mild funk a bit of sweet oak and perhaps a touch of vanilla. The flavor is nice, rhubarb forward, but not as pungent as the nose leads on, lighter flavors on the finish, tart, a bit funky, light oak with a touch of sweet. The body is great, perfectly carbonated, very lively, really helps the rhubarb shine.

Verdict: Such a tasty beer, I admit I might be biased as I am a HUUUGE fan of Rhubarb and anything rhubarb related. The aroma blew my mind and it was great on the tongue, such a wonderful lambic. I REALLY hope this follows the lead of Zwanze 2009 and becomes a year round beer because it is so well executed.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2012 02:58:23 | More by kevanb

Fux

France

4.48/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2012 version on tap @ La Fine Mousse on a wonderful Zwanze Day.

A: Pours clear orange / copper. Small white head that fades quickly to nothingness.
S: Smell is very sour, bright, fruity with lots of citruses (orange), ripe fruits. Rhubarb is quite faint.
T: Very sharp, sour attack on the palate, very fruity (orange, white grape). Rhubarb is more present on the palate than on the nose, enhancing the natural sourness from the beer. (orange, A bit sweet with a mild acidity. Woody tartness. Quite deep and complex. Still very fruity on the finish with a light bitterness and more pronounced rhubarb along with some yellow fruits like apricots or peaches.
M: Puckering carbonation. Very refreshing, very easy to drink.
O: Very enjoyable, more complex than the usual Cantillon stuff, still very easy to drink, with the usual acidity and carbonation. Hopefully, this will be made again!

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2012 01:23:15 | More by Fux

sweemzander

Illinois

4.6/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

On tap for Zwanze day 2012

(A)- Pours a cloudy but vibrant yellow hue. Some good quickly dissipating white froth.

(S)- Not the biggest expert on rhubarb, but if this doesnt smell like rhubarb, I do not know what does. Not overly funky, but a cleaner sour stony oaky background. Great rhubarb aroma to the smell.

(T)- Similar to the smell. A bit less on the fruit side, but gives way to some awesome oaky mineral-like sourness. Ever so slightly funky.

(M)- A smooth yet crisp carbonation level. A classic Cantillon balance of superb fruit and high acidic oak sourness. With rhubarb being the "fruit" in this, I think it definitely adds perhaps a slightly higher sourness, but also lends a mild sweetness that balances this out so nicely.

(O)- Well, it was a hell of a wait to get this, but it really was worth the wait. Expertly balanced, and just another superb offering from Cantillon. More places should start trying rhubarb, cause this was excellent. Far superior compared to the Zwanze 2009/Mamouche I had a number of years back now.

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2012 01:20:22 | More by sweemzander

Dreadnaught33

District of Columbia

4.3/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Zwanze 2012 at Churchkey in DC 12/1

Pours a nice healthy orange with a nice ring of bubbly white head. Really nice look. 4.5

The smell has a great potpourri of interesting sweet and sour smells, the rhubarb shines through brilliantly. It has a nice berry note to it as well, with a crust like malt as well it truly seems like a rhubarb pie. A nice tartness in the nose but it's more subtle than other beers by cantillon. 4

The taste follows suit and again is quite tart but maybe not sour like some other cantillon beers certainly are. The rhubarb is there and the malt is elegant and pastry crust like in taste, a very balanced and round flavor profile. Some oak and vanilla notes there to help with the evenness of flavor. This isn't an in your face kind of sour, but I think it's very nice and quite tasty. 4.5

The mouthfeel is nice and has a great carbonation level and density to prop up the tastes. 4.5

Overall another great beer from cantillon I certainly enjoyed this one very much, though it isn't my favorite beer of theirs I've had. 4

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2012 22:38:25 | More by Dreadnaught33

BearsOnAcid

Massachusetts

3.28/5  rDev -24.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Zwanze 2012

Light reddish honey colored pour. Smelled like dirt and sort of sulfury. Rhubarb did a number on the nose. Some celery like aroma but not as pungent.

Tart and feels oily on the palate. Sharp lemon acidity. Light bitter celery flavor. Sourness hits the back of your throat. Not incredibly interesting for Cantillon but drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2012 22:02:13 | More by BearsOnAcid

WillCarrera

Illinois

4.48/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Churchkey for Zwanze Day 2012, this is the 2012 version of the rhubarb lambic, poured into a snifter.

A- Pours a slightly hazy golden color with a finger of white head, nice retention and very spotty lacing.

S- Really interesting aroma, lots of the usual acidity and light citrusy aromas, but once it warms up some really cool earthy, funky rhubarb aromas come out as well as some wood.

T- Similar to the nose, the rhubarb is actually pretty understated but works really nicely, its tartness complements the sourness of the lambic while lending some mild earthy vegetable flavors and a very mild sweetness, lactic acidity and mild wood flavors are also noticeable.

M- Light-bodied, really nice, effervescent feel, dry finish, the feel makes it hugely drinkable and I had to really try to pace myself through the glass to avoid drinking it too quickly.

O- A delicious beer, one of the more subtle Cantillon lambics I've tried, but it's highly drinkable and very tasty, a real treat.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2012 21:43:15 | More by WillCarrera

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.55/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Armsby Abbey for Zwanze Day.

Seriously good stuff. Beautiful color and typical head for the style. Very dry and tart with hints of oak, earth, and fruit. You get the rhubarb. Incredibly smooth and full of flavor. A pleasure to drink and well worth the effort to seek out. Goes down so quickly and easily that its tough to review. Very unique.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2012 20:47:40 | More by Gatch

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Enjoyed at the Armsby Abbey on Zwanze day 2012.

A - Poured into a stemmed mini chalice an almost crystal clear rosey straw with a half a finger white head that left a thick and creamy halo with a nice creamy cloud.

S - Aromas are very tart yet earthy. Nice acidity from almost veg rhubarb with an almost creamy acidity in it. Not really vinegar or super bright very earthy almost mushrooms and funk. Nice.

T - Taste is very dart ans sour. Puckeringly rhubarb notes here so tart and crisp with gentle funk. Its lightly puckering with good tartness and light sweetness. Delicious.

M - Mouthfeel was a bit lower carbed with super drinkability for the style. Incredibly enjoyable beer.

O - Overall this was a delicious beer. Not maybe mt favourite Cantillon but it is worth the hype and super enjoyable. Well worth swinging down.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2012 20:37:33 | More by rudzud

Florida9

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at WLV Liquors:

Cloudy pinkish yellow. Served with just the slightest bit of head. No lacing. Ara smells of a combination of sweet/tart berry fruits and decay. Strawberry, raspberry, but the there is a stinky note of fermentation. Taste is similar, but with a brighter, more sour quality. Flavor is more reminiscent of berries than rhubarb. Sweet sour mouthfeel. A nice beer. Can't say it's worth $10 for a 2 oz pour, but never the less a good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2012 20:29:09 | More by Florida9

Bendurgin

Maine

4.3/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2012 version. Poured into a chalice. This one pours a hazy light brownish red with a small cap of white foam.

The aroma has a nice tart aroma with sour woody notes. Rhubarb for sure with some grains in the background. The pallet is tart with a bit sweet in the middle with nice finish that lingers of rhubarb.

The body is light with ample carbonation. Lingering flavors. Overall a nice nique endeavor from these guys. Great to try!

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2012 20:25:13 | More by Bendurgin

andrewinski1

Maine

4.18/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a chalice. The color is hazy orange. There is a small layer of white bubbles.

The aroma is full of rhubarb! Wow this takes me back to my days of eating raw rhubarb.

This starts out similar to a typical Cantillon, but the rhubarb character is overwhelming. The vegetal rhubarb tartness particularly lingers strong in the finish.

This is medium bodied with a smooth mouthfeel. Delicious!

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2012 20:20:22 | More by andrewinski1

beerpirates

Belgium

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

Thx to Jean @ cantillon for sharing a glass with me !

Nice hazy golden / redish pour with nice degree of carbonation. Nice mild lambic aroma has some pedio. Can definitely smell the rhubarb. Smooth, soft carbonation. Really smooth, almost nutty palate is fabulous. Not so sour but a good degree of funk. the fruitiness is barely there, which I like, allowing the lambic to come forward and leave its gently assertive character on my tongue.
A very smooth beer , very well balanced

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 12:05:29 | More by beerpirates

tendermorsel

Massachusetts

4.7/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I was lucky enough to have Jean share a glass with me at a recent visit to the brewery. He said it was a Rhubarb lambic that was going to be the Zwanze 2012.

Redish in color. Head was very typical for lambic. Whispy and thin.
Slightly fruity in the nose. Sour upfront but fruity flavors mixed in.

Extremely well balanced. Wonderful and delicious stuff. Much more balanced and subtle compared to the Zwanze 2008. One of the more balanced and better Cantillon's I have tried.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2012 13:35:04 | More by tendermorsel

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.48/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Consumed at our sour and wild ales tasting on April 14, 2012. The only Zwanze I have yet to try, and a rhubarb lambic...yeah, I am pretty excited about this one.

Served in a Cantillon gueuze tumbler.

The beer is clear and golden yellow hued with a small white head that leaves a few random spots of lacing on the glass.

The aroma is lactic, acetic, classic Cantillon funk, hay, lemons, earth.

The rhubarb aspect emerges more in the flavor than in the aroma, though I would not be able to single out rhubarb if I was not aware it was used in the making of this beer. Lemon zest, hay, lemon juice, a hint of fruity sweetness, oak. Though the rhubarb seems to have faded (I would love to try this beer fresh!), this is still a fantastic tasting brew.

Pretty light in body, with some light, prickling carbonation. Lingering notes of lemon, hay, citrus, funky lambic.

Overall, what a treat it is to have finally tried this beer. Cantillon makes the finest beverages on the planet.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2012 15:41:36 | More by Huhzubendah

drabmuh

Maryland

4.48/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served in a Cantillon wine glass shaped glass because it makes the beer taste better, try it sometime. Beer is yellow with a thin lazy white head of small bubbles, no lacing, moderate carbonation.

Aroma is bright, strong lactic, a little grassy and fruity with a mild finish. Smells good.

Beer is sulfury and you can taste a fruit in there but I wouldn't identify it as rhubarb. Interesting but the fruit has considerably faded out of this one. I like the bright palate, the dry finish, the mild oakiness, the mild grassiness. I'd have it again.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 17:19:56 | More by drabmuh

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle at the DC Lambic & Sour Tasting on April 14, 2012. Served in a Cantillon wine glass.

Pours a mostly clear, though somewhat-hazy, yellow-golden color with a small white head that left a few spots of lacing before falling to a collar.

The nose brought some light barnyard and earthy notes behind a surprising amount of rhubarb. Both the flavor and mild acidity from the rhubarb came through along with a bit of lactic acidity.

The flavor took the rhubarb component to the next level, as the signature Cantillon lemon and citric acid components combined quite well with the rhubarb and bit of backing earthiness and funk.

Flavor held for a long time on the palate after swallowing, followed by medium-heavy acidity and a light funk. Body was light with average carbonation and a very dry finish.

I was really, really impressed with this one and it was one of the big standouts to me. The fruit character held much more than I thought it would.

Glad to finally have this as well. To quote Sean below, "Final Zwanze tick." Let's hope the draft Zwanze days continue so I can easily keep this streak alive.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 12:26:44 | More by Thorpe429

mdfb79

New York

4.2/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From 04/14/12 notes. Had at our DC Sour Tasting.

a - Pours a clear golden yellow color with one inch of white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of funk, light fruits, some sour fruits, floral notes, citrus hops. Very nice nose, sour and funky.

t - Tastes of nice funk, earthy, light fruits, oak, some spice. Not as sour as the nose and more spice, a step down for me.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Nice crisp body.

o - Overall this was my favorite of the Zwanze's... I liked it a little better then Zwanze 2010 and a ton better then 2009/Mamouche. Worth checking out, would like to have it again.

EDIT from 12/01/12: Had this again as Zwanze 2012 on tap in Brooklyn. 4.2 still sounds about right, though I found it a little fruiter and less sour fresh. Good stuff, would like to have it again.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 01:02:18 | More by mdfb79

largadeer

California

4.22/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to nerd for opening this up out of nowhere.

Clear burnished amber with little head or lacing.

A lot of woody funk and spiciness on the nose. Floral, peppery, acidic. Nothing overtly rhubarb-like on the nose. Smells like a nice gueuze more than anything.

Palate is very good, again very gueuze-like, with a more floral/spicy element. Rhubarb comes through a bit more on the palate, contributing a unique sourness that's complementary to the sourness of lambic. Quite dry, a little peppery and oaky. I like the subtle rhubarb element here, wish I had a chance to try this when it was fresh. Still quite good, however.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2011 18:07:26 | More by largadeer

Sean9689

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pre-Toronado 24th Tasting. Thanks, Mike! Final Zwanze tick.

A - Pours a golden yellow, fizzy white head, spotty lacing, whisps on top.

S - Citrus sour, slight tart, oak, some zesty lemon peel, nice funk, no real rhubarb notes though. Not quite as funk as I was expecting, but still nice and sour, nonetheless.

T - Lemon zest citrus, oak, funk, light tartness, some herbal/floral notes in there as well. Again, no rhubarb notes, but still very solid. On the lighter funk/tart scale as far as Cantillon goes.

M - Light body, good carbonation, zesty, oaky dry finish.

O - Another solid offering from Cantillon, go figure. No real rhubarb notes but doesn't really detract from my enjoyment. Doubt I'll ever have this again but it was awesome to try such a huge want thanks to Mike (aka nerd). Recommend!

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2011 23:11:07 | More by Sean9689

HopHead84

California

4.5/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

8/12/2011

Huge thanks to Mike for opening this rarity.

A: Yellow gold with a big white head. Nice retention and scattered lacing.

S: Oak and lemon with horse blanket and a brackish presence. Wet leather with musty and lactic notes. Faint floral profile.

T: Salty cheese with musty barnyard notes. Lemon blends with oak and a moderate citric acidity. Finish has a lot of citrus and oak. I think I can taste some rhubarb, but I can't be sure. The finish is dry and lightly tannic.

M: Light in body with high carbonation. Mouthfeel is dry.

Overall: Really good. Definitely the best Zwanze I've had.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2011 16:44:43 | More by HopHead84