Herberg Oude Lambiek
Den Herberg

 

Draught @ Foeders. 2 year old lambiek. Pours a slightly hazy golden yellow colour and a white head with some retention. Aroma's are sourish, wood, still quite mild. Retronasal it's mild sour and woody. Flavour is light moderate sour, even a little bit sweet. Light bodied. Good carbonation (must have been added or saturated, as it was more carbo than you'd normally get with a 2 yr old lambiek).

2019 vintage on cask at 1420 in Copenhagen.

Pours a fairly clear amber with very ittle foam.

Smell is tart and funky with notes of lemon and straw.

Taste is tart and pretty acidic, with notes of funk, Seville oranges, lemon and a hint of bitterness.

Mouthfeel is medium and almost flat.

Overall, a balanced, not too sour lambic with plenty of complexity.

Two drafts at Den Herberg in Buizingen, after a quick sample previously at Payot Ale Fest in Eizeringen. 5L bag-in-box at home, purchased direct from the source at Den Herberg.

Pours a dark crystalline amber orange, with a string of loose bubbles on the surface. Aromas of dill from the fresh oak on draft, and a lot more Bretty cheese rind from the 5L box. Draft was a bit better, though the box is interesting too. Over time, the Brett funk becomes a bit more overwhelming.

Taste is mellow with a light lemony tang and bright grapefruit citrus note, then big cheesy Brett lingers, oak defines it more as it warms up. Dryish finish, some vague residual apple or pear sweetness. Supple and light bodied though it has character. Very drinkable and thirst quenching, pairs perfectly with cheese and charcuterie at the brewery cafe.

Interesting to see where they go in the future, once they start blending gueuze. This lambic has a nice versatile character, like an open canvas, it’s easy to see why Raf Soef utilizes it for his Bokke blends.