Drie Fonteinen’s newest release is titled Cuvée Armand & Gaston. It’s a 100% Drie Fonteinen Oude Gueuze made from beer brewed on their own system in 2013, 2014, & 2015. 2013 marked the first year Drie Fonteinen brewed with their new 40hl system. Drie Fonteinen had not brewed their own beers in several years and had been using wort purchased from other Lambic brewers and aged in 3F’s wood.
Drie Fonteinen had been forced to give up the lease on their previous brewing equipment in 2009 after the famed thermostat failure that had destroyed the majority of their bottle stock. After nearly giving up on the Gueuze business, Cuvée Armand & Gaston Oude Gueuze is the liquid embodiment of the rebirth of Drie Fonteinen as a brewery. While some of their other recent beers may have included some 3F brewed lambic, this blend is 100% Armand Debelder brewed beer and bears his father’s name as a way to pay homage to his father’s dream of brewing Lambic.
Appearance: Hazy dark gold, beige head, great retention.
Aroma: Lime zest, earthy, meyer lemon, fruity, grapefruit, mild funk.
Taste: Grapefruit, rind, mineral notes, light sweaty notes.
Overall Impression: Armand & Gaston is a real treat. It’s soft, complex, balanced, and round. It’s got a nice mix of fruitiness and Brett funk. With a fully brewed Drie Fonteinen beer in the mix, this makes one more must have beer from the venerable lambic producer.
Availability: Limited availability at the Lambik-O-Droom.
6% ABV
Note: Bottled 07/10/2015 (July 7), Best Before 26/10/2035.
Caution: Mind the cork when opening this one, the bottles are a touch over-carbonated and the cork is excited to fly out of the neck at a good rate of speed.
