1001 Beers

Beer No: 24/1001
Page No: 911
Category: Specialty

As I mentioned previously with my recipe for pizza, I had planned on having a few slices of homemade pizza with a Hop 15 from Port Brewing, however, I knew something was wrong when I took the cap off.  The cork underneath was soaked through...I gingerly removed the cork and miraculously didn't get pieces of it in the beer, however, one whiff and I could tell it was bad.  I poured some into a pint glass and took a few sips, but it was just not to be.  Off flavors abounded and I knew this poor ale had gone from bad to worse.  I guess cellaring this beer for 8 years just wasn't the best idea.  Also, over the years, I know it wasn't always cellared properly, but still, it's a bottle I'll keep as it is hand-numbered and a wonderful souvenir from the best pizza place in SoCal.  And at least the pizza turned out pretty well.  I'll probably go back to the pan method since trying to get it onto the pizza stone was a chore.

   

So I went out to the fridge searching for something else that would go well with my pizza.  I pulled out this Geuze, not even knowing that it was in the book and enjoyed it immensely.  Tart beers like this are hit or miss and this Oud Beersel really hits the mark.  It's got a great story as well.  1001 Beers notes that brewing was halted in 2002.  Gert Christiaens and his father Joe purchased the brewery in 2005 and contracted out to have Brouwerij Boon brew their wort.  It's then transported to the brewery where they age it, combine it, and make this wonderful geuze.  Wonderfully tart with hints of citrus, hops, and yeast, I really enjoyed this beer and need to get a few more...I just can't remember how much it cost, but it probably wasn't cheap.

My review, cross-posted at RateBeer.com:

Oud Beersel Oude Geuze from Brouwerij Oud Beersel

Aroma: 8/10
Appearance: 3/5
Taste: 9/10
Palate: 4/5
Overall: 15/20

Rating: 3.9 / 5.0

Pours cloudy yellow with good sized head which sticks around for a while. Aroma of citrus and sourness. A very refreshing taste with a nice sour finish. Hints of citrus, apples, hops, and yeast. Carbonation is lively and adds to this very tasty beer.