January Beer of the Month: Cantillon Gueuze

January was a super quiet month on the beer tasting front. Providing the beers for Matt and Sarah's Wedding kept me super busy. A hoppy American Pale Ale, a couple of German-styles (unfiltered Kolsch and Pilsner) and a Brown Porter kept the masses happy there. I was particularly happy with the Kolsch, which was very clean and delicate.

On the tasting front it was a mixed bag Cantillon's Organic Gueuze was the beer most worthy of a nod. It's a beer unlike any other besides the other beers in the Cantillon range...

Ratebeer notes:

Tasted 02/01/2006. Lot 2.06. 375ml corked and capped bottle from RW&S. Pours a pale rose gold, lightly hazy, with a creamy white head that disappates into a thin film. Musty dry aroma is mostly sour, quite citrus, with woody, floral and yeast hints that remind of champagne. A touch of seetness is perceived in the mouth, at first, but that’s quickly wiped out by a dry sourness, slightly tannic in the middle to finish, and then a big citric tang on the palate (reminiscent of licking 9v batteries). Slight fruity note in the lingering citric/tannic finish. Soft carbonation, which is needed to allow the prickly acidity through. Definitely reminds me of a very dry champagne, with a sour edge. Very enjoyable. (39/5o).

The Cantillon beers also have the best range of labels I've ever seen, with Rose de Gambrinus being a particular favourite.