Gueuze (Dutch geuze, pronounced [ˈɣøzə];[2][3] French gueuze, [ɡøz][4]) is a type of lambic, a Belgian beer. It is made by blending young (1-year-old) and old (2- to 3-year-old) lambics, which is bottled for a second fermentation. Because the young lambics are not fully fermented, the blended beer contains fermentable sugars, which allow a second fermentation to occur.

Gueuze
Brouwerij Boon's Mariage Parfait
Country of origin	Belgium (Pajottenland)
Yeast type	Spontaneous fermentation
Alcohol by volume	5-9%[1]
Malt percentage	60-70%

Due to its lambic blend, gueuze has a different flavor than traditional ales and lagers. Because of their use of aged hops, lambics lack the characteristic hop aroma or flavor found in most other beers. Furthermore, the wild yeasts that are specific to lambic-style beers give gueuze a dry, cider-like, musty, sour, acetic acid, lactic acid taste. Many describe the taste as sour and "barnyard-like". Because of its carbonation, gueuze is sometimes called "Brussels Champagne".

In modern times, some brewers have added sweeteners such as aspartame to their gueuzes to sweeten them, trying to make the beer more appealing to a wider audience. The original, unsweetened version is often referred to as "Oude Gueuze" ("Old Gueuze") and became more popular in the early 2000s. Tim Webb, a British writer on Belgian and other beers, comments on the correct use of the term "'Oude gueuze' or 'oude geuze', now legally defined and referring to a drink made by blending two or more 100% lambic beer."[5]

Traditionally, gueuze is served in champagne bottles, which hold either 375 or 750 millilitres (12+3⁄4 or 25+1⁄4 US fl oz). Traditionally, gueuze, and the lambics from which it is made, has been produced in the area known as Pajottenland and in Brussels. However, some non-Pajottenland/Brussels lambic brewers have sprung up and one or two also produce gueuze – see table below. Gueuze (both 'Oude' and others) qualified for the European Union's designation 'TSG' (Traditional Speciality Guaranteed) in 1997/98.[6]

Etymology

There is some debate on where the word gueuze originated. One theory is that it originated from geysa (geyser), Old Norse for gush, since, during times of vigorous fermentation, gueuze will spew out of the bunghole of its enclosing oak barrel.^{[citation needed]}

The most likely theory says that the name stems from the 'Geuzenstraat' (Geuzen Street) in Brussels, where a lambic brewery was established. The story^{[citation needed]} is that when the French under Napoleon occupied Belgium and thus Brussels, a lot of Champagne was drunk in Brussels. Champagne was something rather new in Brussels in those days and had become a real hype. This beverage came in strong glass bottles (most beer at the time was supplied in barrels). One brewer, situated in the Geuzenstraat, had the idea to collect the empty Champagne bottles and to refill them with what was called lambic beer. He added a bit of sugar for a second fermentation and re-sealed the bottles with a cork which was similar to the Champagne cork. By doing so, he hoped to benefit a bit from the Champagne hype. The new beer was a success and soon obtained the name "from the Geuzenstraat" or gueuze. The bigger gueuze bottles are still very similar to Champagne bottles today.

Méthode Traditionnelle

Some American craft breweries have begun blending young and old sour beers, to produce their own versions of the traditional gueuze.[7] In 2016 Jester King Brewery released a blended, spontaneously fermented beer which it labelled as "Méthode Gueuze." However, the High Council for Artisanal Lambic Beers (HORAL) objected to the name, and the two parties arranged a meeting in Belgium. It was agreed that in future the American brewers would use the designation "Méthode Traditionelle" as a style name.[8][9][10]

Commercial production of Gueuze

Commercial production of gueuze commenced in the 19th century; modern breweries that produce gueuze include:

• 3 Fonteinen
• Boon
• Belle-Vue
• Cantillon
• De Cam
• Girardin
• Hanssens
• Lindemans
• Mort Subite
• Oud Beersel
• De Troch
• Tilquin
• Timmermans

Both gueuze and lambic are protected under Belgian (since 1965) and European (since 1992) law.

Oude Geuze breweries and beers

This section needs to be updated. The reason given is: These numbers are a decade old and could use an update. (October 2020)

Information extracted from Webb.[11]

Pajottenland / Brussels

Non-Pajottenland / Brussels

• Gueuzerie Tilquin - Oude Gueuze Tilquin à l'Ancienne (6.4%)
• Van Honsebrouck - Gueuze Fond Tradition (5%)

Gallery of Oude Geuze producers

• 
  Cantillon
  Anderlecht
• 
  Lindemans
  Vlezenbeek
• 
  Boon
  Lembeek
• 
  Geuzestekerij De Cam
  Gooik
• 
  Timmermans
  Itterbeek
• 
  Oud Beersel
  Beersel

See also

• HORAL
• Sour beer
• Barrel-aged beer

References

Bibliography

External links

• Media related to Gueuze at Wikimedia Commons
• Gueuze & Lambic (in English) Belgian beer styles from BeerTourism.com