BJCP 2021 / 23D
Lambic
A flat, funky, sour spontaneously fermented ale with lemon and barnyard.
- Ages well
- standard strength
- pale color
- wild fermented
- western europe
Serve: 50 to 55F, Tulip or small goblet
OG1.120
1.040 to 1.054FG1.030
1.001 to 1.010IBU120
0 to 10SRM40
3 to 6ABV14%
5.0 to 6.5%Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Barnyard, hay, horse blanket and leather
- Lemon and green apple
- Light wheat and oak
- Vague
- Funky
- Better
- Barnyard, lemon and hay
- Best
- Moderate funky barnyard and hay with citrus and green apple, light oak, no hop
Appearance
3 pts- Pale to deep gold
- Clear to hazy
- Little to no head
- Vague
- Pale
- Better
- Gold and flat-looking
- Best
- Pale to deep gold, clear to slightly hazy, little to no head, minimal carbonation
Flavor
20 pts- Sour, lemony, with funky barnyard
- Wheat and bread beneath
- Dry, very low bitterness
- Vague
- Sour
- Better
- Lemon acid and funk
- Best
- Moderate-high sourness like lemon with barnyard funk, dry wheat finish, no hop flavor or bitterness
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Light body
- Low to no carbonation
- Dry, sharp
- Vague
- Thin
- Better
- Light body, still
- Best
- Light body, little to no carbonation, dry, tart and sharp
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Balanced funk and acid
Drops it
- Vinegar
- Heavy sweetness
- Clean profile
Writing tip
Name the funk. Example: 'Hay and barnyard with lemon acid, dry and flat. Complex and balanced.'
Pour these
- Grand Cru BruocsellaCantillonTart and funky, a classic still lambic
- Oude LambikBoonSlightly gentler funk with a sharp edge
- Oude LambiekOud BeerselDry and tart with oak
Often confused with
- 23E GueuzeGueuze is blended, carbonated and brighter
- 23F Fruit LambicFruit Lambic adds fruit
Fine here
- Sour/Acidic: Sourness is the style
- Oxidized: A hint of sherry is tolerated
- Musty: Barnyard and leather are part of the profile
Ruinous here
- Sour/Acidic: Vinegar sharpness above a trace
- Solvent: Nail polish ethyl acetate
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.