3F Oude Gueuze

Gueuze bottles typically list a "Best Before" date of 20 years, and for good reason!
I think it's general consensus that no time is too long for these beers

 

Not sure about the answers to any of your questions, but one piece of advice I have is to be CAREFUL when you open one of these bad boys up. I've opened two 375 mL bottles of it lately (not sure the vintage, I'd have to look at the ones I have left) and the cork shot out like an absolute rocket on both of them. One of them shot out after all I had done was unscrew the cage, hadn't even touched the cork yet. I nearly shot myself in the face with it.

The bottles didn't even gush, they just shot the corks out hard enough to make them serious projectiles.

 

I don't think there is an exact sweet spot to age as everyone has different opinions. I would suggest buying multiples and trying them at different times so you can see which you prefer.

With gueuze storage conditions are really key as well. Bottles stored well usually show much better results over the long haul then ones not stored the best.

 

The most wonderful thing about old guezues is that Brett will convert lactic acid to fruity esters . . . so as they age they get less acidic and more fruity.

 

Not so! They have the 20 year date because they lost a fight. The EU food safety people forced them to put a date. I read (naturally now I can't find the source again, damn you Google!) that they tried to do 99 years and were denied so they picked 20 years. Not an actual estimate, just there to make the food police happy.

 

Oh, absolutely. I just meant that 20 years is a very long time to age a beer. Maybe they could have got away with 40 years? The beer most likely could.

 

I believe he meant they gave a 20 year expiration date for good reason because it can easily last that long (as opposed to a shorter one), not because it goes bad after 20 years.

 

Buy a case (6) of 3F OG every year and hide it away forever. That's my plan anyways.

 

That's what the cage is for! (And why it's dumb when breweries cork and cage low carbonation beers like stouts.)

Just like champagne: point in a safe direction, put one thumb on top of the cage while unscrewing the wire, cautiously remove the cage, and gently ease the cork out by wrapping your whole hand around it and twisting.

 

I hear ya, I've just never had a cork shoot out with the force that these did...geuze, champagne, nothing.

 

Too many folk here think beer can be aged as those it was a cru classe Bordeaux. Fortunately 3F Oude Gueuze is an exception to the rule. Twenty to thirty years easily.

 

I just picked up 18 bottles (750ml) of 2013 3F Oude Gueuze for my cellar as a future anniversary beers for the wife and I. Glad I got my temperature controlled freezer up and running in time for their arrival.

 

I've only had this beer fresh and recently had one inBelgium that was aged 7 years. The aged bottle really mellowed and was fantastic. From what I was told 3F has been selling cellared bottles on Thursdays all summer. My server said most of them were seven years old and that was the sweet spot.

 

Shelton Brothers is pouring 2001 3F Oude Gueze at The Festival this year if that tells you anything.

 

I missed out but a friend said he had a 1998 (50th Anniversary) Oude Gueuze last weekend and it was fantastic.

 

I have so much trouble aging something for so long...

If it's good, I want to drink it!