Which Gueze?

Personally I wasn't a huge fan of the Oud Beersel Oude Gueuze. I haven't had a change to try the Golden Blend sadly... though it's probably the most expensive for you too. You really can't go wrong with the Drie Foneinen Oude Gueuze or the Cantillon Classic Gueuze. Both are phenomenal.

 

Drie Fonteinen's geuze is superior to Cantillon's, IMO.

 

I would go with the Drie Fonteinen Golden Blend and the Cantillon Classic Gueuze. They are both terrific. If I were to get one, I might lean towards the Golden Blend.

 

Incorporation of a 4-year geuze in the blend. Adds more of that lovely funk that's typical of 3F geuze.

 

I recently had a 2002 Cantillon Gueuze and it may have been the best beer I have ever had. I have not been disappointed with any of the Drie Fontenien beers I have had so far. I personally enjoy the Tilquin Gueuze but as they are newer beers it will be a while before we can see how well they age. I would get the Cantillon and either one of the Drie Fontenien beers. Tilquin third and then the other Drie Fontenien with the Oud Beersel last.

 

Tilquin is another fantastic beer. As much as I love their gueuze, the Tilquin Quetsche is an incredible plum lambic so if you can get that I would consider that as well.

In regards to the blend, I drank it side by side with the regular Drie gueuze and it had a bit more complexity to it that, at the time, I deemed worthy of the extra money. That being said, it has been a while since I have had it, but now you have me excited to revisit the comparison. The most difficult thing about all of this is that you are comparing world class gueuzes and they will all knock your socks off. I would highly recommend purchasing every one of these over time, but the Golden Blend would be a great choice.

 

You should try them all.

I like the Golden Blend the best, but they are all great beers.

 

I think the Quetsche is one of the most overlooked fruit Lambics out right now. Everyone knows the Cantillon And Drie beers, but Pierre makes plenty of fantastic beers.

 

I'd have to have them all, but I'd also have to have a pony and a castle. (Gawd, I'm spoiled -- don't ask what local prices I pay to stockpile these things.) Generally, I might go for variety rather than fresh-vs-old because they all get so much more interesting with somewhere between one year and one thousand years of age. But I suggest tasting in sequence rather than direct horizontal comparison, for gueuzes in which you're investing significant money. In my limited experience, head-to-head tastings can do funny things to these beers, muting or fading out some pleasurable flavors and simplifying complex beers. For the same reason you wouldn't stage Andres Segovia and Jimi Hendrix together, trading guitar licks. That's probably the worst analogy you'll ever read.

But which ones? I defend the honor of Oud Beersel and keep them in the mix at my place. Forced to choose, though, I'd probably go for the 3F offerings at those prices. What price was the Cantillon?

 

Spend your money and taste them all... they deserve it

 

Imho not much honor left at OB as they are 100% dependent on Frank Boon. But somehow their Oude Gueuze is better than the OG Boon... go figure.