Oude Geuze Vieille barrel selection - Barolo Edition
Brouwerij Oud Beersel

NOVEMBER 2024.
37.5 cl bottle - Vintage 2021.
On the label: "To be consumed within 20 years from the packaging date, i.e. 07/26/2041".
It is part of their line of beers that have passed through barrels previously containing quality spirits capable of infusing their character into the lambic that is placed in those barrels, before being blended with a younger lambic and proceeding to another refermentation.
As soon as it is uncorked (cork that has held up very well) typical lambic aromas (bacterial, rotten wood, light notes of wild fruit in the background).
When poured it is "flat" and without foam, a light orange color, with coppery reflections.
In the mouth, a classic Geuze entrance: light and smooth body, bacterial and "mold" note. Subsequently, an astringent note develops (but not exaggerated) that dries the surface of the tongue a little, bringing out typical grape notes, with evident savoury and tannic notes, which fade away giving the further sense of wild fruit (plums, sour cherry and as a final hint of yellow-fleshed fruit pulp).
The drink is rather quick, but the wide aromatic range released is difficult to describe without leaving out some reflections.
As I was saying, the tongue remains slightly dehydrated while on the palate a pleasant taste of grape (more than wine) with all its wild and fruity nuances.
A beer with great balance in which the "grapy" notes dampen the "flat" and typical Geuze ones, giving it a truly particular characterization, but without ever going beyond the starting concept.
Very particular and complex, even if I did not find it the height of elegance or value.
It has held up well these years in the cellar.