Oud Beersel Oude Geuze Vieille - Brouwerij Oud Beersel

Jon

Illinois

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

375ml best before 3-14-2022. I'm guessing this was bottled 3-14-2002.

Glowing amber-peach with a pillowy white head that settles nicely into a thin ring imparting subtle trails of lace on the glass.

Lemon zest, toasty oak, ripe apple and almost herbaceous aromatically.

Citrus, notably lemon and lemon rind, oak, and a mild vanilla flavors throughout. Tart and sour with lively acidity and a dry finish, it's not quite as bracing as some other top Oude Gueuzes. That's certainly not to say, however, that this is not a winner -- it's just a bit more subdued.

Active, carbonated mouthfeel along with a biting acidity enhance the mouthfeel, which is, once again, not quite as extreme as others.

Complex yet vastly drinkable and refreshing, this is a great Oude Gueuze from the now-defunct Oud Beersel. Hoard this stuff while you can, as it should continue to develop and mature in the bottle for quite a while.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2004 05:36:18 | More by Jon

drummermattie02

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -6.7%

05-21-2013 20:10:49 | More by drummermattie02

tom10101

Quebec (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -6.7%

05-19-2013 16:49:54 | More by tom10101

mt24turner

New York

4.44/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Appearance- hazy pale gold

Smell- faint smell, but some sour notes and a nice hint of fruit

Taste- an amazing flavor, just an explosion of sour fruit flavors, leaves a dry lemony aftertaste that lasts and leaves you thirsty for more...a great beer

mouthfeel- light and crispy like a soda

overall- i might be a little biased as a lover of the style, but this was one great beer that i would enjoy as often as a could afford

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 03:44:47 | More by mt24turner

magictacosinus

California

4.26/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured as part of the "We Want the Funk" flight at Trappist Provisions from a 330ml bottle into a 6oz wine glass. No freshness or bottling date. Consumed 05/08/13. Review is from my notes.

Pours a viscous, hazy (yet surprisingly clearer than expected) golden amber color, complete with champagne-like carbonation and a frothy half finger of head. Not too sticky in appearance, and indeed, no lacing remains at the sides of the glass for too long, but it does have a shining, predominant character that makes it look a lot like a dessert or honey wine. Whereas many gueuzes look far more rustic (or in the case of Cantillon, like jewelery), this one is flat in the middle, which makes it look simultaneously classy and raw as any great offering in this style should look.

The aroma is exactly what I should expect, complete with a raw tartness resembling lemon peel, sour white grapes, woody mustiness, bright earthy notes from the hops and yeast, as well as an underlying grassy flavor that goes on for some time. There's an initial stinging sensation from the funkiness, although it eventually settles and is replaced with crisp grains and bright hop flavors, only THEN to be replaced yet again by the remainder of the must and sourness from the yeast. I've never really had that happen before so sporadically in a gueuze before, so it was delightful to whiff on this all night to the point of ridiculousness.

The flavor does the same, except that upon the first sip, with my palate adjusting to these foreign aromas, I immediately experienced a bittered, puckery sensation that made my mouth water and cheeks temporarily feel numb with the acidity. Luckily, however, the next sips turned far more pleasant, I was finally able to make out flavors in midst of the sourness. Apricots, white dried grapes, lemon peel, cider, light woody must, maybe some wheatgrass, maybe even a bit of saltiness. Fantastically well textured overall - rather than knock you out with sour, acidic flavors, these phenols and volatiles compliment each other immensely. The crisp graininess and well carbonated body really does wonders here, elevating the flavors and melding them to the point of being delicious and easy to drink for even the casual sour fan. Quite excellent.

Glad I finally got to try this, and good to know I don't have to break my back to find an excellent example of this style in the area without having to pay tons of money as well. This is definitely NOT a gueuze for beginners for all of the musty, dried fruity textures going on, but it's relatively well-grounded in terms of seeking complexity and balance. Never a chore to drink, and I could have this all night. Fantastic stuff!

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 17:02:47 | More by magictacosinus

JRBecks

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -12.9%

05-09-2013 21:55:32 | More by JRBecks

bark

Sweden

3.04/5  rDev -24.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75

Vintage 2008. The best before date is in June 2028.

The colour is gold (8 EBC), the liquid clear. There is some yeast floating around in the beer. The two finger head is white, it sinks quite fast leaving no lacing.

The rather mild smell is sour. It is more like lemon acid than vinegar, though. Hints of yeast and red berries. Lots of minerals, iodine and a touch of sour milk.

The taste is sour, tart and dry. Iodine. Sour berries and sour milk. It is quite light and not very complex. Light to medium body. The aftertaste is less tart with notes of wheat flour and phenolic yeast, it is surprisingly short. The finish got some fruity notes and a hint of alcohol.

The carbonation is strong, the few bubbles mid-sized. The liquid is dry.

No, this one did´t age as well as the other lambics I have had. It is not very complex, and the aftertaste is too short.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 21:02:33 | More by bark

draheim

Washington

4.28/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

375mL (best before 3/30/2021) into a tulip. Pours a bright clear golden color w/ a nice white head. Effervescent carbonation bursts from the bottom of the glass, sustaining a soft thin layer of foam.

Aroma is tart, dry, oaky, acidic, funky. Mouth-watering.

Taste is mildly lactic with a subtle sweetness as counterpoint. Pear and lemon juice, pale neutral malt, some grassy notes.

Mouthfeel is spot-on. Nice lively champagne-like carbonation keeps everything light and refreshing. Crisp, bone-dry finish.

Overall a great introduction to the style. I can't believe I've never tried a gueuze before. Looking forward to the other ones in the cellar.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 02:41:35 | More by draheim

Gosox8787

New Hampshire

4.04/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Presentation: 750 mL corked and caged bottle. Best before date of 10/29/2029 so this appears to be around three and a half years old. Chilled and poured into Hill Farmstead tulip glass. Purchased about six months ago for $18.99.

Appearance: Pours a frothy white head with really large bubbles. Light orange and clear in color.

Aroma: Some light grassiness and assertive funk tones. Lots of farm yard and horse blanket throughout. Light lemon and green apple. Very bright with some light tart character.

Taste: Bright lemon upfront with some grassy and funk that comes in after. The tartness is not heavy at all. The funk is really well developed and strong at this point. A lot of horse blanket and bitter earth tones. Really well balanced and light.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied with plenty of carbonation. Very bright.

Overall, a really nice, tasty gueuze. Definitely some nice complexity from the yeast. Not as bright and sour as other examples of the style I have had but it is surprising complex. Definitely worth the purchase.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 00:40:17 | More by Gosox8787

GRUUMSH

Belgium

3.75/5  rDev -6.7%

05-06-2013 15:54:49 | More by GRUUMSH

Brycki

Sweden

4.25/5  rDev +5.7%

05-03-2013 13:00:54 | More by Brycki

FliryVorru

Alabama

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%

05-02-2013 20:12:34 | More by FliryVorru

Beer-Viking

Sweden

1.19/5  rDev -70.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

Our eyes teared while trying this beer. They were not tears of happiness. It is complex this much is certain. The hitherto in food products unexplored scent of urinal is like a direct assault on the pleasure senses. Other scents found by the two testers included tequila, old socks and a hint of windex.
Despite the smell our determination made us move on to taste. This requires a will of iron. "Pleasant bitterness combined with a sour yet smooth character". Yes it is bitter. And sour. Full points for that. Other notes could not be detected. Mentionable here is the aftertaste of this brew. The sensation of having an ant farm in rebellion in your mouth is slightly similar to getting a shot at the dentists to numb your mouth. It lasts for minutes. So good value at least.
There is good reasons for not making beer this way anymore...

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 17:37:49 | More by Beer-Viking

Mattias

Sweden

4/5  rDev -0.5%

04-26-2013 17:52:27 | More by Mattias

DStoked

Ohio

5/5  rDev +24.4%

04-24-2013 00:46:52 | More by DStoked

drgonzo2k2

California

4.25/5  rDev +5.7%

04-21-2013 14:59:44 | More by drgonzo2k2

deebo

Minnesota

3.4/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 3.25

From first trip to Belgium in 2010 found tasting notes on this beer, which was our virgin voyage with these crazy gueuze brews. This one in particular did not stand out in our glass. Golden yellow with a taste that was most remniscent of dry tart fruity white wine. The endnote of this brew wasn't particularly liked as it was watery and flat. Otherwise the funkiness and sourness was on point.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 02:40:52 | More by deebo

MarvinSnyder

West Virginia

4/5  rDev -0.5%

04-11-2013 22:20:14 | More by MarvinSnyder

Beerenauslese

California

4.34/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Orange gold body, head recedes quickly to a ring and shows little lacing.

Nose of apple and peach fruit, mild funk, old wood and wood spice, vanilla, green grass.

Tastes of all those elements, although apple and citrus fruity flavors come through most clearly with a hint of a floral white wine. The taste is very well balanced between tart and sweet. It is milder in flavor compared to other top oude geuze examples, but still has enough complexity to make this interesting. Finishes dry with a light bitterness.

Body is light and the carbonation is fizzy, giving this a very refreshing palate-cleansing mouthfeel.

This is a delightful oude geuze that would be great for casual sipping on a warm day or with food.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 01:38:52 | More by Beerenauslese

animal69

Louisiana

4.25/5  rDev +5.7%

03-31-2013 05:32:37 | More by animal69

Seanniek91

New Hampshire

4.11/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served from a 12oz bottle into an Allagash Chalice.

Appearance- Clear gold with 3 finger bubbly white head. Lots of carbonation floating upward towards the head.

Smell- Funky lemon, bready yeast, oak, some mild tropical fruits, grass.

Taste- Lemon, mild vinegar, funky yeast, light green apples. Finishing flavor isn't spectacular.

Mouthfeel- Very light. Carbonated water light. Refreashing. Quite carbonated.

Overall- For the price I payed for this bottle, it was good, but I'd rather buy the kriek again.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 15:59:28 | More by Seanniek91

mendvicdog

Maryland

4/5  rDev -0.5%

03-23-2013 21:54:56 | More by mendvicdog

ckeegan04

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%

03-23-2013 17:42:24 | More by ckeegan04

estlinska

Arkansas

4.23/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Bottle purchased from Colonial Wine with best served by date of june 2032, poured on 3/20/13. Poured into a tulip glass. It pours the color of pale canteloupe flesh with a shade of soil to it. It lets very little light pass through at all and has a very uniform haze. There's a good amount of fizzy head that leaves no lacing on the glass. The smell is good. It has that expected farmland funk to it, but no so overbearing as to destroy all the other scents. There's definite sour cherry and some champagne flavor on the nose. The taste is pretty sour which is very good, even to a hop head like me. It's tasty and puckering and very active on the tongue. Very fizzy. The taste is sweet too, like a fresh peach with a sour cherry pucker to it too. Very good beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 02:06:51 | More by estlinska

Stinger80OH

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%

03-14-2013 16:46:34 | More by Stinger80OH