Bottle. Thanks to Ben (btg) for the awesome trade. This one took me two samples before I could get down a rating. What to tihnk? It starts out with so much green apple, I begin to doubt the complexity already. From here it goes malty and yet tart, with tons of peppery, puckering, bittersweet yeast flavor. Body is extra-full, like the Speedway of gueuzes. This beer knows what it wants to showcase (A drinkability that is paradoxically, complimentary to the full body). But then I’m still getting the apples, some musty old wool sucks that are wet from sweating in them. Light citrus and green apples, with just huge tart yeast appeal. It never gives up, I can still taste this stuff to perpetuity. The thing is, this seems 180 degrees from Cuvee Rene, which is what I "grew up on", so I just can’t get used to this stuff. It’s less sourness, less yeast barnyardiness and cheese, but I will admit to the body being better, with more full, round, actual sweet flavor. Yes, it’s the sweet malt you can actually hang on to in this one, whereas with Rene, you have a pure tart finish. I must admit to some bias against this one, when it comes to the overall score.

First beer on election night 2004:
Crystal clear copper coloured body with a thin, big-bubbled white head. Aroma of barnyard, sour grapes, yeast, acid, some metal and a nice fresh fruit quality. Light-bodied; VERY tart lambic flavour up front with that pleasant wheat and apple taste, followed by a puckering tart acidity. Follow that with a dry grape and yeast taste and round it out with a sweet finish of caster sugar. Light bodied overall and the aftertaste doesn’t stay too long. A damn good beer and a great bottle to try. I sampled this split (37,5 cL) bottle purchased from Whole Foods in Vienna, Virginia on 02-November-2004.