5th consecutive gold for Brouwerij Boon

Frank en Jos Boon klinken

In Lembeek they can truly be proud, because never before anyone won gold at the World Beer Cup 5 times in a row, the most important beer competition in the world which is organized every two years by the American Brewers Association.

All beers are invariably blind-tasted. So the 253 jurors from 31 countries only know which beers have won at the closing ceremony. And the gold in the category ‘Belgian-Style Sour Ale’ thus was won by Oude Geuze Boon Black Label. Moreover silver went to Oude Kriek Cuvée René of Lindemans brewery (Vlezenbeek), while bronze went to Red Angel of Wicked Weed (Asheville, USA).

5x gold

But no les then 6.596 beers of 1.907 different breweries from 55 countries participated in the World Beer Cup 2016. And this year brewery Boon had an unprecedented performance by being the only one in the world to win gold 5 consecutive times.

  • In 2008 with Oude Geuze Boon
  • In 2010 with Oude Geuze Mariage Parfait
  • In 2012 with Oude Geuze Boon
  • In 2014 with Oude Kriek Boon
  • In 2016 with Oude Geuze Black Label

“The compettition has become extremely tough”, commented a proud Frank Boon. “In comparison with 1996 the number of beers that participate is more then tenfold. Of the nearly 6.600 beers that participated at the World Beer Cup 2016, 91 originated from Belgium. Three Belgian beers won a medal, including our Oude Geuze Black Label.”

> tasting of Boon Black Label

Jos en Frank Boon

New: Oude Geuze Boon Vat 79

Those who participated at our tasting of Boon beers of 8 May 2015 tasted this beer for the first time. One year later, since end of April 2016, Boon Oude Geuze Vat 79 Mono Blend was released to the public.

This one consists of 90% Lambic from fust nr. 79 – the oldest of the brewery, made in 1883 – and 10% of young Lambic. The Lambic of Vat 79 has matured for more than 3 years on fust. After botteling and more than one year further maturation in the bottle, this Vat 79 Mono Blend is now ready to be drunk.

With an attenuation of 93% this Oude Geuze isn’t completely dry, but supported by 9% alc. by vol. it can be called rather ‘massive’. This unique bottling, brewed on 19 and 20 Oktober 2011 and botteled on 17 December 2014, is in limited supply, among other at the Streekproductencentrum (Postweg 3A at 1500 Halle).

> tasted Boon Oude Geuze Vat 79

Boon Oude Geuze Vat 79

Oud Beersel presents: Bersalis Sourblend

Exactly 10 years ago Gert Christiaens revived “stekerij Oud Beersel”. And this calls for a celbration! With a new beer, a new cask warehouse and … an old car.

Bersalis Sourblend bier

Bersalis Sourblend

On November 25 2005 Oud Beersel was officially reopened with the launch of Bersalis Tripel. To celebrate these 10 years a new beer was just presented, Bersalis Sourblend, a mixed fermented beer, obtained by a blend of Bersalis with 30% lambic.

Those who would like to taste it, can do this in the next weeks in Brasserie Gravenhof (Dworp), Boelekewis (Huizingen), Hoppy Loft Delirium Café (Brussels), Honoloeloe (Mechelen), Gollem, Via Via Café and ’t Waagstuk (Antwerp). Also at “De Lambiekfeesten” (Alsemberg), the Entrepreneur Night (Alsemberg), The Night of the Great Thirst (Itterbeek) and the Zythos Beer Festival 2016 (Leuven). From the end of may on Bersalis Sourblend will also be available in a 33cl-bottle.

Oud Beersel foedermagazijn

New cask warehouse

At the restart in 2005 Oud Beersel consisted of a historic building with empty barrels and brewing equipment that barely stood the ravages of time. There were continuous investments since its reropening. And behold, Gert Christiaens has just inaugurated the new cask warehouse on the second floor of the “stekerij”, which actually doubles its capacity.

“This is a project on which we worked on for more than 4 years and it’s the ‘kriek’ (cherry) on top of our work of the last 10 years”, Gert testifies. At the official opening were present: amoung others a very enthousiastic mayor Hugo Vandaele. FYI: the recently added casks – of which the tallest ones contain 120hl beer – originally were used for the Italian top wine Brunello di Montalcino.

Oud Beersel oldtimer

Oud Beersel oldtimer

The previous owner of Oud Beersel drove around with his beer barrels with an 1959 Opel Blitz. And yes, this car was completely restored. “A piece of heritage that we wouldn’t let go to waste”, according to Gert. Although the pickup won’t ever be used to deliver barrels, nor would it be possible to make tours with it in the neighbourhood.

“You will be able to spot this oldtimer at several events”, Gert explains. “This month even during the Night of the Great Thirst in Itterbeek and at the Lambiekfestival in Beersel, for example.” So everyone, go and see!

More info: www.oudbeersel.com

2nd Lambiekfestival at Beersel

Lambiekfestival 2016

The town of Beersel kindly invites you at the …

2nd edition of the Lambiekfestival

  • When? From April 20 until 24 2016
  • Where? At the Visitor’s center ‘De Lambiek’ at Alsemberg

Unlike the previous edition (in 2014) the festival now will last 5 days! During these five days plenty of interesting activities will be organised in and around ‘De Lambiek’.

The big finale will take place on sunday April 24 2016, during the ‘Lambiekfeest 2016’.

lambiekfestival-02

More info: www.delambiek.be

Where exactly?