Iris
Brasserie Cantillon

IrisIris
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From:
Brasserie Cantillon
 
Belgium
Style:
Lambic
Ranked #3
ABV:
6.5%
Score:
97
Ranked #722
Avg:
4.36 | pDev: 8.94%
Reviews:
529
Ratings:
2,185
Status:
Active
Rated:
Nov 09, 2023
Added:
Dec 05, 2002
Wants:
  727
Gots:
  486
It is a completely original beer which, contrary to the other products of the Brewery, is not brewed with 35% of wheat. The Iris, which is only made with malt of the pale ale type (giving a more amber colour to the beer) conserves the typical flavour of the spontaneous fermentation, the complex aromas and the vinous taste.

The hopping is different too. Lambic is made with 100% dried hops, for the Iris we use 50% of dried hops and 50% of fresh hops. The latter cause a superb acidity, the former, due to their tannins, enable to conserve the beer while preserving all its qualities. After two years in the barrel, the Iris undergoes a second fresh hopping two weeks before the bottling. A linen bag, filled with hops, is soaked in the beer for two weeks. This technique, called "cold hopping", gives the beer a more intense savour and makes the smell and the taste more bitter.

Iris is brewed only once every season and all the beers come from the same brewing. This is why the beer is dated. The second fermentation is obtained by adding liquor. Although it is a spontaneous fermentation beer, the Iris is very different from the Lambic. The amber colour and the bitter and slightly caramelized taste make it a complex beer.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by CavemanRamblin:
Photo of CavemanRamblin
Rated by CavemanRamblin from North Carolina

4.38/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

May 17, 2015
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.5 by eluvah from New York

Nov 09, 2023
Photo of Shiredave
Reviewed by Shiredave from New York

4.3/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
A yearly treat I have missed a few times. The first few years I had it there were subtle changes in malt depth and hop presence though always a less sour beer than expected
Tall, dense clotted head forms quickly and slumps slowly.
Sour notes explode with the tiny bubbles along with wiffs of ripe apple and crushed berries.
Malt sweetness balances the tart acidity while grassy, earthy hop spice adds depth and character.
Finish is long and mildly sour with lingering hop bitterness.
Oct 26, 2023
 
Rated: 4.34 by TheIPAHunter from California

Oct 13, 2023
 
Rated: 4.76 by The_Kriek_Freak from Pennsylvania

Aug 26, 2023
 
Rated: 4.34 by scottyshades from Florida

Jul 02, 2023
Photo of 5toutman75
Reviewed by 5toutman75 from Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
I love the color of this beer. The carbonation is absolutely perfect and head remains after a vigorous pour. I get more funk on the nose than on the pallet. I wish it had more to taste. On the pallet it’s complex but I’ve had other beers with more. Overall a great beer and worth getting again if I can get it at a good price. I would love to age this and see how it changes.
May 22, 2023
 
Rated: 4.5 by bruindre from Massachusetts

Feb 09, 2023
Photo of JohnnyHopps
Reviewed by JohnnyHopps from Indiana

4.33/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Appearance - The beer poured a hazy shade of amber his a huge bubbly white head. This beer could not wait to get out of the bottle!

Smell - The nose was like a rustic dry sour presence with a definite green apple presence.

Taste - The profile was pleasantly Earthy. It initially had a floral quality that brought to mind herbal tea. Also included were notes of oak, lime, and green apples. The sour notes were steady, not screaming for attention or melting dental fixtures. The beer had a nice dry finish.

Mouthfeel - After the head finished rising, the carbonation was only moderately intense.

Overall - This was a solid lambic, though not necessarily one I would seek again.
Jun 12, 2022
 
Rated: 4.21 by Hawkfish from Washington

Jun 05, 2022
 
Rated: 3.94 by not2quick from Missouri

Mar 31, 2022
 
Rated: 4.27 by ItsYourBoyBlue from Washington

Jan 17, 2022
Photo of Holderness
Reviewed by Holderness from Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2021 bottling. Medium amber in the glass with some haziness and a finger of dense off-white head that retains fairly well and leaves minimal lacing. The maltiness here is quite unique indeed, almost like a Flanders Red -- getting some toastiness and cherry pie notes in the aromas and flavors. Moderately acetic with a fluffy and lively effervescence. The hops impart a lightly bitter herbal flavor, but it's not too overwhelming and compliments the oaky barrel character. Happy new year!

87/100
Jan 01, 2022
 
Rated: 4.27 by Eman17 from Illinois

Jun 12, 2021
 
Rated: 4.5 by bigred89 from Maryland

Jun 09, 2021
Photo of zac16125
Reviewed by zac16125 from South Carolina

4.32/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
750mL bottle into a Teku
Bottled: 25 Feb 2019

Pours translucent with the slightest degree of haze. Golden copper in color with 2 fingers width of off white colored head. Aroma is very floral, grassy fields, some nondescript fruity esters and pungent cheese like funk. Tart citrus acidity rounds out the aromas. Very complex nose. Taste is somewhat tart upfront but not nearly to the degree of most Cantillons I’ve had and it’s also notably more funky with barnyard and pungeant cheese like funk. Prominent bitterness on the finish. There is a fairly prominent sweetness to balance. Mouthfeel is vibrant with high carbonation and excellent drinkability. Overal, far from my favorite Cantillon but a complex and exceptionally well done beer.

4.5/4.25/4.25/5/4.25
Apr 08, 2021
 
Rated: 4.23 by Rothobinide from California

Mar 22, 2021
 
Rated: 4.5 by carolinabeerguy from North Carolina

Mar 20, 2021
 
Rated: 4.25 by Argento from Rhode Island

Mar 20, 2021
Iris from Brasserie Cantillon
Beer rating: 97 out of 100 with 2185 ratings