Brewer Q & A (Issue 21)

98 Rating – Brouwerij Boon – Oude Geuze Boon

Responses from Brouwerij Boon owner Frank Boon.

Who came up with this beer's recipe?
Oude Geuze has been produced by our brewery since 1880. The actual quality of this beer was the work of myself when I started the brewery in 1975.

What’s your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, etc.)? 
Oude Geuze Boon is a typical Lambic of sponaneous fermentation, brewed in the cold brewing season to make it a beer with moderate sourness. This beer strikes a delicate balance between wine-like sourness, phenolic aroma from wild yeasts (mostly brett from the coolship) and a solid body.

Where does this beer’s name come from?
Gueuze is another name for a bottle-fermented Lambic, and was used for the first time in 1826. Oude Geuze Boon carries the name of the brewer and founder of the brewery, Frank Boon

Is this your "desert island beer?"
Definitely yes. This beer keeps for more than 20 years, and improves with each passing year. With a huge stock of this beer, you can stay happy for a long time on your preferred desert island.

Can you describe this beer in 10 words or less?
Bottle-conditioned old-style Gueuze/Lambic with a wine-like taste.

Do you know a story – or have a personal story – that revolves around this beer?
In 1899, Belgium only exported 2153 Hectoliters of bottled beer, all Gueuze, because it was the only Belgian specialty beer at that time that survived transport. The beer was made and bottled at the brewery, developed its refermentation in the bottle during travel, and arrived as aged beer at its destination.

96 Rating – Surly Brewing Co. – Todd The Axe Man

Responses from Surly head brewer Todd Haug.

Who came up with this beer's recipe?
Myself and my friends at Amager Brewery in Copenhagen. Originally a collaboration beer intending to be an excuse to use raw materials each brewery hadn’t used before. Golden Promise malt is featured in a handful of my recipes at Surly. Mosaic hops are a favorite of Amager and I had never brewed with them before.

What’s your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, etc.)? 
The simplicity. It's one malt, two hops and then the wonderful tropical fruit smell of Mosaic and Citra dry hopping!

Where does this beer’s name come from?
Henrik Papso of Amager Brewery in Copenhagen came up with this as a surprise and a homage to my guitar playing (“Axe” is slang for guitar).

Can you describe this beer in 10 words or less?
Over-the-top tropical fruit aroma!