Inspired by what HORAL has been doing for years in lambic, the oud bruin producers have only last year put their heads together to create something similar in the form of this Oud Bruin Mega Blend - with the 2022 version indeed deserving its own entry, as it contains another combination of oud bruin beers than the 2021 version. Off-white, moussy, breaking, thin head leaving a ring and a veil in the middle but eventually dissolving altogether; misty burgundy brown robe with copper red glow, becoming a tad murky in the very end. Aroma of dried passionfruit, old wood (very strong), sawdust even, caramel, rosehip, cooked blackberries, red plum, green apple, mahogany wood, walnuts, dry sherry, medlar, oxidized red wine, purple gooseberries, wet tree leaves. Rich red-fruity onset, tart with a softer core, lots of red apple, red plum, purple gooseberry and blackberry; medium carbonation, rounded and vinous mouthfeel, with some astringency around the edges - as it ought to be. Drying and yoghurty lactic sourness through a layered caramelly, brown-bready and somewhat walnutty malt core, shifting colours here and there, with at one moment even displaying that very recognizable sweet candied cherry effect I am sure comes from the Bourgogne des Flandres portion that went in here. Sour forest berries, lots and lots of woodiness and red plum, all dry and tart, keep dominating, but the sweeter notes here and there keep this bottle interesting for the entire 75 cl. Notes of elderberry, rosehip and damp tree leaves further add complexity to a long, vinous, rich and frankly majestic finish. This masterpiece does for oud bruin what only the very best of HORAL's Mega Blend geuze vintages do for lambic: a kaleidoscopic gallery of honour for every brewery involved, with each one coming into play at the right moment. A true celebration of the ancient oud bruin and even surpassing last year's already very impressive blend for me.