Toer de Geuze 2017 is May 6-7

A classic Oud Beersel sign.

At the Oud Beersel lambic blendery in Beersel (Laarheidestraat 230) brewer/blender Gert Christiaens has been busy. Three new beers have been created especially for release during Toer de Geuze.The first is Black Acid, which is described as such: “Doing what they do best, our friends at LERVIG Aktiebryggeri in Norway brewed a stout specifically for this blend with our Oude Lambiek. After it had spent some months in Cognac barrels, they blended the Lambic in. This blend was then matured in Akevitt barrels, and has 8.5% abv. Note that quantities are limited, and intended only for on-site consumption during Toer de Geuze. Other products of Oud Beersel (and Megablend) will be available in the shop for purchase and take away.”

Black Acid from Lervig and Oud Beersel.

FiftyFifty from Oud Beersel and Lindheim Ølkompani. Photo courtesy Oud Beersel.

The second new beer is a collaboration with Lindheim Ølkompani, another Norwegian brewery. From Oud Beersel: “Thanks to the 10 year anniversary of Birrificio del Ducato in Parma last weekend, Lindheim Ølkompani’s and Oud Beersel tasted their soon-to-be-released collaboration beer named FiiftyFifty, part of the Lindheim Ølkompani’s Friendship Series…
FiftyFifty is a blend of 50% Oude Lambiek from our cellars, and 50% coolship beer from Lindheim Ølkompani. Completely spontaneously fermented and aged on wooden barrels, this beer is a unique blend showing the craftmanship of and reflecting the friendship between both breweries. FiftyFifty will be available in Belgium EXCLUSIVELY at the bar during Toer de Geuze 2017.”

Gert Christiaens, blender/owner, Geuzestekerij Oud Beersel.

Another new beer is Oude Gueuze Vandervelden 135, produced for the 135th anniversary of Brouwerij Oud Beersel’s founding in 1882 by Henri Vandervelden. This blend includes a one year old lambic that was aged in 30-year old barrels from Tuscany (Italy) and a three year old lambic that matured in an old Oud Beersel foeder. The beer is packaged in 37.5 cl bottles. It will be available to drink on site and also sold to go in the brewery shop. It will eventually see distribution to Belgian drink markets.

There is yet another new beer that will debut at Oud Beersel during TDG weekend: De Leite with Cuvee Soeur’Ise. De Leite is a Belgian brewery located in West Flanders, in Ruddervoorde.

Some beautiful barrels full of lambic at Oud Beersel.

Transatlantique Kriek label.

Also being released during Toer de Geuze weekend is TRANSATLANTIQUE KRIEK 2017. From Oud Beersel: “This winter, we shipped 54,000 liters of Kriekenlambiek to New Belgium Brewing in Colorado. For the first time ever, our collaborative Transatlantique Kriek will contain 100% barrel-aged beer (50% Kriekenlambiek from Oud Beersel, and 50% Sour Ale from New Belgium’s foeders). This is the first time that this beer will be available on the Belgian market.”

That makes five new beers that will debut at Oud Beersel May 6-7. Gert Christiaens and De Geuzen van Oud Beersel, a group which helps promote and preserve the Oud Beersel brewery and site, are bringing their A game to this event!

Gert Christiaens pouring a special edition Oude Beersel Schaarbeekse Oud Kriek in 2016. This beer may no longer be available for sale.

As to eats on offer, the brewery had this to say: “For the Toer de Geuze – Oud Beersel, food will be served by Hoeve Cuvry. They will have a rotisserie pig, marinated in our Oude Lambiek, as well as sandwiches and sausages with homemade stoemp. On Sunday, May 7th, they will also be serving a BACON and EGG BREAKFAST from 9:30 to 11:00. Hoeve Cuvry is a local farm that was founded in 1873 (about 1km from Oud Beersel). Their pigs eat grain that has been grown on the farm, free from genetic modifications and antibiotics.”

Oud Beersel Oude Geuze.

Toer de Geuze will be full culinary delights! As if the above was not enough, Gert Christiaens told me: “There will also be a stand of Cacao Tree, a chocolatier located in front of the brewery. They will offer sorbet of Oude Kriek and waffels with Bersalis Tripel.”

Dessert, anyone?

Gert Christiaens in a new foeder room on the top floor of Oud Beersel.

A field behind Oud Beersel where Schaerbeek cherry trees have since been planted.

The specific program for Oud Beersel is here:
SATURDAY, MAY 6th:
9:00 – The Oud Beersel Shop Opens
11:00 – Tours begin, starting every 15 minutes
18:00 – Last Tour of Oud Beersel
18:30 – End of Drink Ticket Sales
19:00 – The Oud Beersel Bar Closes
SUNDAY, MAY 7th:
9:30 to 11:00 – BACON AND EGG BREAKFAST served for visitors by Hoeve Cuvry
9:30 – Bar Opens (coffee and water for breakfast)
10:00 – Tours begin, starting every 15 minutes
16:00 – Last Tour of Oud Beersel
16:45 – End of Drink Ticket Sales
17:00 – The Oud Beersel Bar Closes

Oud Beersel will have lambic, Oude Geuze, Oude Kriek, its Bzart beers, and many other products on offer for on-site consumption and take away. Get there!