Gueuze
Belgian Gueuze Beers: The Drink for the Laid-back, Country Souls
Have you self-named yourself a pro when it comes to beers? If yes, then you have already probably tasted one of Belgium’s favored drinks, the Belgian Gueuze beer. Not yet? Then you should put it on your list of “to-taste” drinks as soon as possible unless you want to question your title.
For starters, Belgian Geuze beers are liquors that fall under the lambic family. It is made by mixing young (1 year old) and old (2-3 year old) beers to form a new drink which undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle. Since the mixture of the old and young beer during the first brewing process does not have a complete taste, fermentable sugars are added to the unfinished lambic to trigger the second the fermentation.
Geuze Lambic Belgian Beer in a Flute Glass
Given that this beer is brewed by blending lambic beers, its taste is unique from the traditional and normal lager and ale beers. Lager and ale drinks are known for having a traditional hop flavor because of the use of aged hops when brewing them. Belgian Gueuze beers, on the other hand, are known and loved by many because of their dry, musty, sour, and cidery taste given by the wild yeasts used in their brewing process. If you feel like having a country-inspired tasteful drink, then a glass of this beer is the perfect liquor for you, having been described by beer professionals as “barnyard-like” in taste.
Nowadays, modern breweries add more sugar to the brewing process to make the drink more appealing to other beer lovers who prefer a much sweeter and milder taste. Traditional Belgian Gueuze beers come in champagne bottles in both 375 and 750 milliliters. Some of the best known breweries producing this type of beer are Boon, Cantillon, Girardin, and Oud Beersel.
Boon Gueuze beers are known for their tart lemony taste and the beautiful froth or head they create when poured into a glass. Just like traditional Gueuze beers, this brand also has a certain barnyard-inspired flavor complimented by hints of green apples, white grapes, and malts. It’s fruity and country taste is best complimented by different kinds of cheese like Brie, Gouda, Cheddar, and Swiss.
Cantillon Gueze, on the other hand, is best known for its aroma which is a mixture of barnyard, fruits, and leather. Its taste is much like the Boon label with hints of white fruits and sour, carbonated flavors. Its aroma is best noticed when the beer is poured on flute or tulip beer glasses. It is also the perfect drink to be taken with cheeses like Gorgonzola, Limburger, and Havarti.
As for Girardin Gueuze, this drink is well loved by many because of its flavor which is a unique mixture of fruits, oak, rinds, and barn. It has oaky tannins which gives it its unique drying taste. More bitter than the modern types of Gueuze, its dark taste is not overwhelming and mixes wonderfully with the sourness of the drink.
Last but not the least is Oud Beersel which is described by many beer lovers as the “wine of the world of beers.” Its taste is closest to wine with its apple cider flavor complimented by faint taints of lemon and grapes. It has an average aroma but its balanced sour taste is close to perfection.
Take your experience in beers one notch higher with Belgian Gueuze drinks. This liquor will surely be one of your favorites in your collection of drinks.
