Zwanze (2022) Poivre de Gorilles
Brasserie Cantillon in Anderlecht, Brussels Capital Region, Belgium 🇧🇪
Lambic Style - Untraditional Series Out of Production|
Score
7.96
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This year’s Zwanze is a two-year-old Lambic blend with black pepper. For this year’s beer, we worked with Sandrine from Misao: La Maison des Poivres here in Brussels.
Sandrine had us try various types of Congolese pepper, and we eventually decided on one called poivre de Gorilles.
This pepper grows wild in the forests of the Republic of the Congo. Aromatic, but not too spicy, it blends beautifully with the refreshing acidity of our Lambic. The result is a beer that will pair marvelously with meat or fish.
The name poivre de Gorilles comes from the area where it grows, in Likouala Forest, located in the northeastern region of the Republic of the Congo. This forest is home to a significant population of Lowland gorillas – a species in danger of extinction. That’s why we’ll be donating a portion of the profits from the event to Gorilla, an organization that works to protect these Great Apes. Santeï !!“
Sandrine had us try various types of Congolese pepper, and we eventually decided on one called poivre de Gorilles.
This pepper grows wild in the forests of the Republic of the Congo. Aromatic, but not too spicy, it blends beautifully with the refreshing acidity of our Lambic. The result is a beer that will pair marvelously with meat or fish.
The name poivre de Gorilles comes from the area where it grows, in Likouala Forest, located in the northeastern region of the Republic of the Congo. This forest is home to a significant population of Lowland gorillas – a species in danger of extinction. That’s why we’ll be donating a portion of the profits from the event to Gorilla, an organization that works to protect these Great Apes. Santeï !!“
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8/10
Sour and tart, strong black pepper on the nose and in the flavor, herbal, funky, some grapefruit. Very nice.
Tried
on 01 May 2025
at 13:33
8.5/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 10
Overall 8
Bottle at the brewery. The nose immediately packs a huge spicy punch and the pepper also contributes a nice citric character to the base beer. Taste is a nice combination is spicy, citric pepper and funky, also citrusy, lightly grassy base, with a pleasant, complex acidity. The main thing here is balance, as the pepper is incorporated in the beer in an elegant and smooth way, resulting in an exciting, complex drink with superb balance.
Tried
from Bottle
on 17 Mar 2025
at 11:53
8.6/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 9
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
From tap at Zwanze Day at Ammutson. Golden color, with a medium, creamy head. Lovely aroma of cheesy funk, apple, stone fruits, citrus, with a moderate pepper note. Taste has more pepper, which isn't too spicy, but more on the fruity side, really round and rich. Slightly creamy mouthfeel, with a moderate carbonation. Finishes smooth, funky, citric, with apple and some pepper. Beautiful stuff, the pepper fits so well here and adds to the complexity. Drinks very elegant and smooth! Score: 9 / 4 / 9 / 4 / 17
Tried
from Draft
on 20 Apr 2024
at 23:55
7/10
—
Appearance 7
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 7
Overall 7
Thanks Walt for sharing! Belgian tulip showing dark gold with no head.
The nose shows intense notes of black pepper.
The palate is well carbonated and light bodied. Moderately tart with moderately intense notes of black pepper but no spiciness.
The nose shows intense notes of black pepper.
The palate is well carbonated and light bodied. Moderately tart with moderately intense notes of black pepper but no spiciness.
Tried
from Bottle
on 20 Apr 2024
at 11:32
7.9/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 10
Overall 7.5
Bottle at the brewery. Rather thin body, med-low carbonation. Medium sourness, light acetic, med-light bretty funky one. Light tartness, light light remnants of sweetness too. Medium black pepper, moderate horsey funky character. Not the most rich character in this one, but interesting and tasty. Overall quite good.
Tried
from Bottle
on 09 May 2023
at 10:35
9/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 9
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 10
24/III/23 - 75cl bottle, shared @ Cantillon (Brussels), BB: n/a, bottled: 25/V/22 (2023-251) Thanks to all for sharing today’s beers!
Pretty clear orange beer, small creamy off-white head, little stable, non adhesive. Aroma: oh wow, nice, super peppery, more pepper, fruity touch, some grapefruit, very nice! MF: soft carbon, medium body. Taste: nice and peppery start, a little bitter, fruity notes, nice and very intense, spicy, good acidity, very pleasant, lovely beer! Aftertaste: dry, spicy, lots of pepper, orange peel, little bitter, very nice, I really love this one!
Pretty clear orange beer, small creamy off-white head, little stable, non adhesive. Aroma: oh wow, nice, super peppery, more pepper, fruity touch, some grapefruit, very nice! MF: soft carbon, medium body. Taste: nice and peppery start, a little bitter, fruity notes, nice and very intense, spicy, good acidity, very pleasant, lovely beer! Aftertaste: dry, spicy, lots of pepper, orange peel, little bitter, very nice, I really love this one!
Tried
from Bottle
at
Brasserie Cantillon
on 24 Mar 2023
at 12:15
8.2/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 9
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
Amber, bright. Very expressive black pepper aroma. On the palate, gueuze forward. Still peppery but less than on the nose. Fairly acidic, not much in the way of bugs.
Tried
on 05 Mar 2023
at 05:08
8.6/10
—
Appearance 9
Aroma 9
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8
cloudy surety golden color. No head. Amazing tart nose of wonderful peppercorn and lemon. Horse blanket and hay. The peppercorn character beautifully shines. Excellent citrus, peppercorn, horseblanket, the citrus and pepper corn work perfectly together. Love this beer. Low carbonation. Modestly tart. The peppercorn tickles the back of the throat. Very good.
Tried
on 24 Feb 2023
at 18:04
8.2/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8
Bottle shared by next table at brewery. Pours lightly hazed amber with a decent white head. Loads of pepper on the aroma, funk, oak, herbal notes. Taste is pepper, oak, white grape, lots of herbal notes on the finish. Definitely a grower.
Tried
from Bottle
on 04 Feb 2023
at 14:44