Speling Van het Lot VII.xiii: Zotte Kadeeën Rabarber - Blended & Alive
Brouwerij 3 Fonteinen

just absurd beer, heady rhubarb lambic aged in bordeaux barrels, a presumably next to ungettable bottle, with just 788 produced and four or five years ago at that, feeling lucky and thankful. orange from the bottle, mostly clear until the very bottom, somewhat light on carbonation and minimal on head, an orange glow with just a pink tint to it, looks almost more malt heavy than fruity. the nose is incredible, the rhubarb comes out right away, astringent, raw, earthy, lightly medicinal, with raspberry and cranberry notes along with it, and the fruit notes of the wine barrels, light vanilla, sweet oak set against rather high acidity and tannins, sharp and mouthwatering, still funky lambic evident at the core of this. the rhubarb is distinct in the flavor, i think the sharpness and astringency is softened some by the wood, the barrel character is as robust as the rhubarb, they are super compatible, and i like the earthy richness and density of the oak, its big in this, enriching, regal. this is still really tart, almost more bacterial than funky, but it works. there are red raspberry and tart cherry notes, a vanilla wrinkle, dried apricot, elderflower jelly, and some sweetness at the end for balance. i love it being so low alcohol, it has more carbonation than it looks like, and its super mature. it warms up well, gets kind of clean lemony notes after awhile, and the funk increases, more bretty later on. enormously complex, epic lambic, but also just kind of playful and fun, cool barrel treatment here, the rhubarb is amazing, and overall this was a delight to share with friends, so grateful!

 

 

 

A beautiful rhubarb beer.

 

Bottle at the Lambikodroom. After the 8+% Zoete Kers, this was a welcome reprieve.

Nose is insanely rhubarb, brilliant and deep with a full and majestic expression. Lemony, pie like with a little earth and celery. The base Lambic is more earthy and mushroomy as well, complenting the rhubarb nicely. A delicate sweetness is present as well. Smooth, soft, earthy and with preserved lemons, this is excellent