The History of Cuvée René

An ancient beer style, Gueuze, or Geuze, (pronounced "GOO-za") is wild-fermented wheat beer that is made with only aged hops, and those in small quantities. Because gueuze is fermented by multiple strains of yeast, acting over an extended period, it is a testimony & tribute to the yeast strains of the Senne River Valley.

The brewers blend aged lambic and younger lambic, to taste, and refermentation occurs in the bottle after capping. It is highly coveted by gourmands in Belgium and in the US who lay it in their cellars, sometimes for years. Lindemans Cuvée René is authentic "Oude Geuze," every batch blended by hand. (Note - the French spelling is gueuze and the Dutch spelling is geuze.)

Taste

Glowing golden color, cidery, winey palate; reminiscent, perhaps, of bubbly dry vermouth but with a more complex and natural flavor. It's very dry, appetizing and energizing, but some tasters do find gueuze to be demanding the first time they taste it due to the sour and acidic flavors that make it so unique. Cuvée René has been imported into the US since the early 90s, a time when the "sour beer" category didn't exist here.

Serving Suggestion

As an aperitif in place of dry sherry, with carbonnade a la beouf, mussels poached in gueuze, flavorful cheeses; sometimes served in Belgium with cubes of sugar on the side, to sweeten to taste. Serve in a tall, thick tumbler.

Accolades

World's Best Gueuze, Country winner World Beer Awards, September 2020

Country Winner, Sour Beer: Gueuze, World Beer Awards, September 2017

5/5 stars; exceptionally great; something special; Celebrator Beer News, August/September 2016.

100 points, Craft Beer and Brewing Magazine, June/July 2015.

Gold Medal, 90 points, World Beer Championships, 2016

US Open Bronze Medal "Belgian Lambic," July, 2015.

"World's Best Geuze," World Beer Awards, 2013

Gold Medal, Brussels Beer Challenge, 2013

Wine Enthusiast Magazine "Top 25 Beers of 2012"

96 points & highest-rated wild ale, Wine Enthusiast Magazine: August 2012

Ratebeer.com: 97 points (April 2016)

97 Points "Classic," - Draft Magazine, Nov/Dec 2008

Product Sizes and Quantities

• 12.0 ounce (355 ml) bottles / 12 per case
• 25.4 ounce (750 ml) bottles / 12 per case

Stats

ABV: 5.2% - OG: 1.048 - IBU: 16
Ingredients: Water, barley malt, wheat, hops, yeast.

Nutritional info: Serving Size - 12 oz. (355 ml). Calories: 200; Total Fat 0 g (0% Daily Value); Sodium 55 mg (2% DV); Total Carbohydrates 12 g (4% DV); Sugars 0 g; Protein 1 g (3% DV). (Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie daily diet.)