Friday, August 26, 2011

Day 32 (8/25/11): Gueuze Cuvée René by Brouwerij Lindemans


I had this while I was at the inlaws' place last night, so I didn't take notes. This review will be from memory and pictures and therefore will be pretty short.

Cuvée René pours a bright, clear golden color with a very large, bubbly white head that settles into a thin layer atop the surface of the beer. The smell is sharp lemon, with a good deal of funk and a bit of lactic acid. A relatively one dimensional smell compared to the Russian Rivers that I've tried.

It tastes a lot like it smells, sour lemons and a touch of vinegar up front leading to a somewhat lactic finish. It's not the most sour beer in the world, but it is definite quite tart. The carbonation is pretty high and the body thin, which makes this a quite refreshing drink. It has a very, very dry finish. I was hoping it would open up in complexity when it warmed up, but no dice.

Overall, this a solid gueze that is widely available. It's not the most complex or best tasting sour that I have ever had, but it might be an easier way for someone new to the style to try some of it. It certainly is cheaper and easier acquire than some of the heavier hitters like Cantillon or Drie Fonteinen. It's also a way to mix it up from the usual wheat beers and pilsners when you want something refreshing on a hot summer day. I give Gueuze Cuvée René by Brouwerij Lindemans a B+.

Style: Gueze
ABV: 5%
IBU: ?
Beer Advocate: A-/A+
Ratebeer: 98/61

375ml bottle purchased from Cork 'N Bottle (Crescent Springs) for $6.49, I believe. Widely available throughout the region (and the rest of the US).

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