Boon Oude Geuze Mariage Parfait
The vintage date on this bottle of Boon Oude Geuze Mariage Parfait reads 2011. I certainly haven’t owned it that long—in fact, I think I just purchased it down in Culpeper, VA this past January. This beer usually benefits from a little additional age in the bottle so I wasn’t too worried upon noticing the date upon unloading the purchase back at the homestead. The only concern was to how it was kept by the shopkeeper.
Open opening, smelling and ultimately enjoying this 8% ABV gueuze, about the only thing that I could call the result of the additional aging is an old, vinous note throughout the experience. This trait certainly wasn’t off-putting or a sign of spoilage/expiration. It was just something a bit different from other examples of the style that I’ve encountered in the past. Boon Oude Geuze Mariage Parfait is also not as tart as some of its peers which makes for a smoother drinking experience.
Appearance
Golden in color, the beer sits with a slight haze and a large cap of off-white foam.
Aroma
There’s a bit of that old grape vine undertone (as mentioned in the intro) to go along with grain, woody notes, yeast and a good bit of sour tartness that tingles the nose.
Taste
The beer is wonderfully sharp and vine-y, but, as previously mentioned, not as tart as many of its counterparts in the realm of sours. Grain, light biscuity notes, yeast, wood and those old grapes all come together fairly smoothly. The effervescent carbonation and light, lively character give the beer an additional refreshing quality that carries through the drying finish.
Overall
I know that I’d been to the particular shop where this beer was purchased many times since the year 2011 has come and gone, and I don’t recall ever seeing any bottles of Boon Oude Geuze Mariage Parfait until just this past New Year. So, where it’s been sitting, I have no clue, but wherever it’s been hiding for the past four years didn’t do it any harm.
The beer is quite flavorful and, as odd as it sounds, smoothly tart with a moderate-to-high sour sharpness. The old grape vine character is an interesting dynamic that I particularly enjoy in this beer. I’ll have to find some younger (and older) vintages and compare with this particular bottle to see how consistent that quality is.
Rating: 4/5
