3 lambics to celebrate Zwanze Day 2017

Cantillon Zwanze Day is this weekend, and the beer nerds are amped. Zwanze Day is Brasserie Cantillon’s salute to lambic and is marked by a worldwide toast of that year’s Zwanze beer. The Side Project Cellar hosts this sold-out celebration again this year, but you can still imbibe a glass of lambic around St. Louis and join in the international toast at 2 p.m.

Lambic beer is the spontaneously fermented, barrel-aged beauty from the Pajottenland region of Belgium, just southwest of Brussels where Cantillon is located. Breweries that specialize in this funky, wild product are highly regarded for their aging and blending techniques.

Although we don’t tend to see much in the U.S. due to the smaller batch size and delicate nature of the product, there are a few places in St. Louis that curate thoughtful bottle lists that often include lambic – some more rare than others.

If you’re looking to add a little funk and sour to your weekend, go explore the beer world for lambic and join this international recognition of tradition and beauty.

1. Lindemans Gueuze Cuvée René
This lambic is Champagne-like with incredible effervescence and bright flavors. Tart apples and funk resonate on the nose while sour grapes and tangerine dance on the palate. 

Friar Tuck, various locations

2. Tilquin Gueuze (and any fruited variants you can find)
A blend of one-, two- and three-year-old lambic, this mouthful is vibrant with notes of grain, barnyard, stone fruit and citrus zest. Its acidity is balanced, so it won’t leave your mouth watering after each sip. You can try one or all of the past four years of this complex brew at Hair of the Dog.

Hair of the Dog, 1212 Washington Ave.

3. St. Louis Fond Tradition Kriek
Wood, fruit and funky yeast undertones run deep with this one and are driven across the palate with a mild carbonation and pretty significant sour character. Ripe cherry and a hint of spice and earth steal the show as you continue drinking this delightfully refreshing beer.

Craft Beer Cellar, various locations

Katie Herrera is a contributor to Sauce Magazine and account manager at Craft Republic.