Learn Beer » Reviews » Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers » Beers

Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Specialty Beers

Exploring the Foamy Fringe of Beer

Lambics

Includes young lambics, gueuze lambic, fruit lambic, faro. Lambic beers are perhaps the most individualistic style of beer in the world. Lambics are produced in tiny quantities immediately south of the Belgian capital, Brussels. Lambic brewers use native wild yeasts in the open-air fermentation process to produce these specialties. This unusual fermentation, in conjunction with extended aging in oak barrels, imparts a unique vinous character with a refreshing sourness and astonishing complexity. Lambics labeled as gueuze are a blend of young and old beers. Such blending results in a sharp champagne-like effervescence and tart, toasty flavors. Those labeled as faro have had sugar, caramel or molasses added in order to impart a note of sweetness. Lambic beers, however, are more often seen in the United States when they have been flavored with fruits. Kriek (cherry) and framboise (raspberry) are the most popular and traditional fruits employed. Other exotic fruits are widely used in juice form in the more commercial examples of lambic beer, much to the consternation of purist connoisseurs.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

94 Cuvée René Oude Gueuze, Brouwerij Lindemans (Belgium). 5.5% ABV (9/09)
Lightly hazy golden amber color. Bold aromas of sour citrus, mossy earth and musty attic follow through on a laser-like entry to a dry, very tart medium-to-full body with great precision and purity. Finishes with a nice lash of somewhat nutty, neutral oak flavor and tannins. A brash, but elegant Old World lambic.

92 Pêche Lambic, Brouwerij Lindemans (Belgium). 4% ABV (9/09)
Deep, old gold color. Sweet aromas are reminiscent of sweet and sour sauce-drizzled wontons and peach soda, and follow through on a zesty entry to a very tangy, fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with nice depth and a sprinkle of floral talc and loamy earth on the piquant, slightly astringent finish. A very approachable lambic.

87 Cherry Lambic, Upland Brewing (IN). 6% ABV (9/09)
Pretty copper penny color with a wispy head. Aromas of buttery coconut caramel toffee, yeasty pastry dough and light orange vinegar follow through on a bright entry to a dryish medium body with buttery caramelized lemon notes and a tangy, taut cherry pit and nut-accented finish. A nice, appetizing sour beer to serve with sweet and sour pork.

84 Samuel Adams Cranberry Lambic, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.9% ABV (8/08)
Buttery melted brown sugar on pumpernickel toast and faint berry jam aromas follow through on a round entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with yeasty caramel cookie dough and cranberry sauce accents. Finishes with a quick, tart buttery cranberry caramel sauce fade.

Add Your Comments