Probably known more for their Fruit Lambic, Lindeman’s crafts a fine product in this grand cru with a nod to one of the Head Brewers Rene Lindeman.  Based on my research, this gueuze differs from their standard offering due to this unfiltered nature.  Classic gueuze beers were not filtered so in honoring the age old tradition it undergoes a lively bottle fermentation.  Presented in a familiar dark green cork and capped bottle, I poured my 355mL into a tumbler.

True to style, the rocky head rose quickly causing me to slow down my approach yet still maintain a steady pour.  It is important when pouring gueuze to not be overly aggressive when pouring.  I put my thumb in the indentation at the bottom and rest the glass on my four fingers while pouring.  This allows me to keep an eye on the sediment while at the same time maintaining a continuous pour.  This produces a clean glass full of bubbly gueuze.

The beer is effervescent like so many others in this style.  I did notice the smell is more straw, hay, barnyard-like than sour or tart.  Don’t get me wrong, it definitely has that great funky tart nose, but the earthy grain/wheat qualities really come through well in this beer.  Very Wit-like in approach, the aroma has hints of lemon and vinegar that enhance the tartness.  Basically, it is not the most sour gueuze with regards to smell.

However, the taste is right on.  Tart up front and at the finish.  The mouthfeel was light and reminded me of a Witbier.  Refreshing and not too aggressive, this might be a good one to try if you are exploring the style.  I was not blasted by a puckering sourness, but found the lemon, lemon grass, hay and straw flavors to be soothing like a glass of lemonade.  It is a great thirst quencher and can be used as an aperitif quite well.