Beer Styles: Gueuze

Gueuze is a spontaneously fermented beer that is a mix of young (one year old) and old (two to three year old) lambics. During the brewing process the wort is cooled in open vessels and traditionally fermented by naturally occurring yeast in the air, then refermented in the bottle.

It has long been felt that the only place that a true Gueuze is created is in the Pajottenland which is an area around Brussels. However, some producers have sprung up in other areas. Traditional breweries include Cantillon, 3 Fonteinen and Boon.

When tasting a gueuze it should be highly carbonated and refreshing. There will be very little hop character; the spontaneous fermentation produces a wide range of funky barnyard or leather characteristics that should be pleasant. This will be balanced by a citrus or fruity flavour and a lactic acidity.

Featured: St Louis Gueuze by Kasteel Brouwerij van Honsebrouck.