Cantillon lambic blended with a herb liquor used by a vermouth producer in Besançon to fortify their wine and thus create their vermouth - another original concept concocted by this legendary brewery to celebrate their semi-annual Zwanze event, which this year encompassed not just this 'bianco' version, but also a 'rosso' one (fruit lambic), so for the first time ever two different Zwanze beers were presented simultaneously a few weeks ago. I missed the event itself but fortunately got a catch-up at the Cantillon bar, where bottles of both versions are still for sale at the moment. Tiny-bubbled yet dense and moussey, snow white head, slowly opening and retreating over an initially clear yellow-golden robe with apricot tinge, turning misty in the end. Aroma of grapefruit peel, subtly 'urine'-like Brettanomyces, wet oak, indeed recognisable vermouth with its dozens of herbs (almost absinthe-like in its core but sweeter here), dried hyssop, dry hay, unripe pear, green plum, apricot, young mugwort, rhubarb. Mildly tart, restrainedly estery onset, smooth unripe apricot, grape skin, lime and green apple flavours, quite 'bright', refinedly but 'actively' carbonated, moving into a supple, vinous middle with fruity lactic sourness and elegant woodiness adorned with very clear, yet somehow not overpowering herbaceousness from the vermouth (or its part used here) - with vague angelica, sweetflag and wormwood impressions, mingled into one 'kruidenbittertje' without the bitterness. Dry, vinous ending, light green-fruity and dark green-herbal, but with every element only reinforcing the other - nothing overpowers, nothing contrasts too much with something else, all is working exceptionally well here. Much to my surprise, I must add, as I am not a great lover of either vermouth or overly 'herbed' beers... Radiant, elegant apéritif of sorts, much better than I was anticipating to be honest.

Purplish, just slightly lighter than st lam. This is more vinous and light herbals. Same on palate. Sangria, vinous, the herbs downplayed until the finish, and some nice bitterness.

Dull, pale amber. Very herbal aroma, quite peppery and spicy. Very vermouthy. Bitter, earthy, excellent.

Pale. Massive black pepper aroma, only a little more restrained on the palate. Again, tannic and not overly buggy. But this is a beer that I buy whenever I see it, just so I can smell it.

Hazy, thin head. So hoppy. It’s hoppy on the nose but super hoppy on the palate. Very expressive. Holy shit that’s good. Not the buggiest or it would be a wild sour ipa. Beautiful.

Deep vinous aroma, purple colour. Tart, fruity. Some tannins, not much for bugs, actually. Solid.