At the Frontiers of Lambic

Brouwerij Oud Beersel is an authentic and independent lambic brewery founded in 1882 by Henri Vandervelden, and later run by his son, his grandson and eventually by his nephew. Originally a Geuzestekerijen (blenders who make Gueuze by blending young and old Lambics acquired young from various Lambic brewers), Oud Beersel eventually began brewing and aging its own beers.

Hard Times Perseverance

Due to financial problems, brewing activities stopped in 2002. But, a few years later, in 2005, Gert Christiaens and Roland De Bus revived the artisanal brewery to continue the brewing of Oud Beersel’s classic Kriek and Geuze, both Lambics. They also helped fund their relaunch with two non-lambic beers–Bersalis Tripel and Bersalis Kadet, which are brewed at the Huyghe Brewery in Melle. Since that re-launch, the Oud Beersel brewery has flourished. In January, 2022 the old pub of the brewery called "Het Bierhuis" was reopened after substantial renovation and restoration.

Oud Beersel Beers

Oud Beersel specializes in authentic Lambic beers, and has quite a number of unique beers in its product line.

  • Oude Geuze Oud Beersel (6.5% ABV) is their flagship Geuze, with its fruity notes, a touch of hop bitterness, and a smooth sourness. In 2022, the brewery released a limited-edition Oud Geuze Reserve 2020, made with 3.5-year-old Lambic aged in 600-liter wine casks, and then aged for three more years in the bottle. At 7.8% ABV, it is easily recognized ‘by its tiny neck label and a simple horizontal chalk stripe across the bottle. In older days, the chalk stripe indicated which side of the bottle should face upwards to avoid disturbing the sediment.

  • Oude Kriek Oud Beersel (6.0% ABV) is the brewery’s other flagship beer, made by blending aged Lambic with fresh cherries. There is also a limited edition Schaarbeekse Kriek (7.0% alcohol), made with rare Schaarbeek cherries, the traditional fruit for authentic kriek.

  • Framboise Oud Beersel (5.0%) is similar to the Kriek, but is fruited with raspberries and a small amount of Morello cherries.

  • Rhubarb Lambiek (6.5%) is macerated with fresh, organic rhubarb for a number of months, infusing the beer with refreshing rhubarb flavors.

  • Oude Geuze Barrel Selection Fouder 21 (6.5%) is aged for nearly four years in a single fouder, then blended with two other Lambics to create a unique flavor profile.

  • The Oude Geuze Barrel Selection series features Lambics aged in Whiskey, Port, Madeira and Barolo barrels, adding complex flavors from the wine and spirits casks.

  • Oude Faro Oud Beersel (7.5%) is a young Lambiek beer infused with dark candi sugar that ferments out dry and refreshing despite its alcohol.

  • The Oude Geuze Vandervelden series is released on the brewery’s anniversaries and honors the brewery’s founder, Henri Vandervelden. It was released for the 135th, 137th, 140th, and 142nd anniversaries. All of these exceptional Lambics are well aged in a variety of fouders and are real collector’s items with an expected 20-year life.

  • Oude Geuze Barrel Selection Oude Pijpen (6.5%) is an old Lambiek aged in large Port barrels. 

  • Oud Beersel’s Infused Lambics are Lambic beers that have been infused with more than 30 spices and flavorings ranging from elderflower and chile peppers to tea leaves and salted tangerine peel. The series is intended to bring flavors and aromas from other cultures into the world of Lambic. This modern approach to brewing elevates the beer to new heights.

  • The brewery’s Bzart Lambieks (7.0%) are Bieres Brut – beers that resemble fine Champagnes. The Bzart Lambiek Millésime is a geuze-type beer, while Bzart Kriekenlambiek Millésime is fermented with cherries.

  • Since 2005, to help re-build the brewery, Oud Beersel has contract-brewed their two non-sour Bersalis beers. Bersalis Kadet is a light-bodied and easy drinking 4.5% ale. Bersalis Tripel (9.5%) is a unique Tripel, with flavors of malt, spice and just the right touch of bitterness. Both Bersalis beers are also available in barrel-aged versions.

  • Oud Beersel also produces a number of Wild Dry Ciders, aged in different Lambic barrels. These are tart and refreshing, around 7.5% ABV, with almost no residual sugars.

  • A number of Oud Beersel beers, including its Barrel Reserve, are available in convenient 3-liter and 20-liter boxes. They resemble old-style Lambics in that they are more lightly carbonated.

 While this is an impressive list, Oud Beersel produces a number of other limited-edition beers. No doubt, we will see more of them over time. It is this innovation and willingness to color outside the lines that makes Oud Beersel such a “modern” Lambic brewery.

Santè!

Charlie GottenkienyComment