What does an oxidised geuze taste like?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by DanielM89, Dec 22, 2017.

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  1. DanielM89

    DanielM89 Initiate (0) Jun 21, 2017 Denmark

    I've been wondering what an oxidised geuze/lambic tastes like. The reason I'm asking is that I have experienced other types of beers being oxidised from time to time, leaving this wet cardboard taste that people are probably familiar with. The reason I'm asking about geuzes in particular is that I have had quite a lot of old bottles, (e.g 1989 and ~1960) and I have never experienced that off flavor. I've had alot of funky, musky cellar/attic taste which I really enjoy, and I imagine oxygen would have a different impact on a beer that is technically alive than other types of beers. So when people talk about aged sours that has become oxidised, what exactly are they talking about? People often describe it as a negative thing, leaving me to think they're not talking about that cellar/attic vibe, that I really love.
     
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  2. EvenMoreJesus

    EvenMoreJesus Initiate (0) Jun 8, 2017 Pennsylvania

    I've, personally, never experienced it, but I've certainly heard of people talking about said character. I think the reason that you don't taste it very often is that if there is Brettanomyces in the beer in question, the dissolved oxygen will be used by it to manufacture acetic acid and ethyl acetate instead of trans-2-nonenal.
     
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  3. youradhere

    youradhere Initiate (0) Feb 29, 2008 Washington

    I would like to add my uninformed opinion to this to say I think that it is the oxidation characteristics itself in sour beers that make the funky flavors enjoyed by many. I would think the earthy flavors in particular would come from some form of oxidation.

    In my experience making some really nice sours myself homebrewing, oxidation is the name of he game. I would hot side aerate the mash, aerate transferring, and let the seasonal temperature swings of 80-30s let my lid fermenters breathe over the year. The hops id use would be at least 2 years old in a paper bag left in my attic. Once I started employing such old-tradition techniques I noticed I was getting the flavors and acidity I wanted.

    So again- I think oxidation is already very much a part of what you are already tasting.
     
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  4. EvenMoreJesus

    EvenMoreJesus Initiate (0) Jun 8, 2017 Pennsylvania

    Those flavors and aromas are byproducts of metabolism from Brettanomyces sp. and are likely phenol in nature. Other microbes are certainly involved, but the lion's share of the flavor profile of lambic/gueuze is Brettanomyces related.

    If anything, you want to prevent cold side oxygen ingress as much as possible, as Brettanomyces sp. will make acetic acid and ethyl acetate in the presence of oxygen.

    It certainly is, as oxygen exposure is inevitable, but it is not important in the way that you posit.
     
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