Oud Beersel almost disappeared in 2002 when the original brewery closed, before being revived by new owners who brought back its traditional recipes with help from 3 Fonteinen. The Oude Geuze that resulted keeps the historic character of the brand while landing as one of the more balanced, food-friendly gueuzes on the market, with a noticeable hop character most lambic producers skip entirely.
Oud Beersel Oude Geuze at a glance
| Style | Belgian oude gueuze (lambic) |
| ABV | 6.5% |
| Calories | Around 175 per 12 fl oz |
| Origin | Brouwerij Oud Beersel, Beersel, Belgium |
| Ingredients | Water, barley malt, wheat, hops, wild yeast and bacteria |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Gluten free | No, contains barley and wheat |
| Typical price | Around $14 to $20 for a 750ml bottle |
How it tastes, by the numbers
Oud Beersel is more balanced than most gueuze, with a hop character that gives it a pleasant bitterness alongside the sourness.
The full review
It pours amber-gold with a fine head and noticeably more visible carbonation than some traditional gueuzes. The aroma leads with citrus, peach and apricot, backed by lactic tartness and a mild Brettanomyces funk, rather than the heavier barnyard character found in Cantillon.
On the palate the combination of a pleasant bitterness with a smooth, well-integrated sourness is what sets it apart. It refreshes the tongue on the first sip and opens into the complex, layered character that spontaneous fermentation brings, without ever tipping into harsh acidity.
This is a gueuze built for balance rather than extremity, which makes it a good choice at the dinner table alongside rich or fatty food, where the acidity and light bitterness both do useful work cutting through.
A gueuze built for balance, where bitterness and sourness work together instead of one overpowering the other.
- More balanced and food-friendly than most traditional gueuze
- Historic brand revived with genuine traditional methods
- Noticeable hop character adds complexity most lambic skips
- Less intensely funky than Cantillon or 3 Fonteinen for drinkers chasing maximum funk
- Still a niche style with limited retail availability
- Higher ABV than session gueuze alternatives
Who it is for
Drinkers who want a genuinely traditional gueuze but prefer more balance and less raw funk, and anyone pairing sour beer with a meal rather than drinking it on its own.
Oud Beersel Oude Geuze FAQs
What does Oud Beersel Oude Geuze taste like?
Citrus, peach and apricot aromas with a mild Brettanomyces funk, a pleasant bitterness, and a smooth, well-balanced sourness rather than harsh acidity.
How strong is Oud Beersel Oude Geuze?
6.5% ABV.
Did Oud Beersel stop brewing at some point?
Yes, the original brewery closed in 2002. New owners revived it with help from 3 Fonteinen, restoring its traditional lambic recipes.
Is Oud Beersel Oude Geuze gluten free?
No, it contains barley and wheat.
How is Oud Beersel different from other gueuze?
It has a more noticeable hop bitterness than most traditional lambic producers, which balances the sourness rather than letting it dominate.
What food pairs well with Oud Beersel Oude Geuze?
Rich, fatty dishes, charcuterie and strong cheeses, where the acidity and light bitterness both cut through effectively.
Where to find it
Available through Belgian beer specialists and well-stocked craft beer retailers; not a supermarket staple but easier to find than some of the more allocated lambic producers.
The verdict
Oud Beersel Oude Geuze is one of the more balanced, food-friendly traditional gueuzes available, built on a genuine comeback story. A satisfying four point two out of five.
