Eric Novielli

Tyrnilambic Baie D'Argousier (2021) Novielli

I confirm it’s very thin and watery. Lively wild berry and funk, fresh meat of the fruit like jam, but really really light body. Lambic is still under the surface, way overridden by fruit. 3.70

Tyrnilambic Baie d'Argousier (2017) Novielli

Incredibly dusty. The fruit mixes incredibly good in lambic and it made maybe the most balanced turning point during the aging curve. Mold, herbal, moss/musk, floral. Good one except for a weakness on mouthfeel. 4.20

Nèfle (2013) Novielli

Pretty much similar to the one had on draft at the Moeder event in April for Quintessence, but this is even brighter. Flat lambic with fine and intense medlars smell and taste. So fresh and refreshing. Bitterness and tartness goes wild. 4.40

Soleil de Minuit 1999 Novielli

Super intense cloudberry aroma plus some dusty and leathery, less intense on palate but still a thing if you think it’s ‘99. Awesome balance between tartness and acidity, maybe sourness goes way over a bit. Heavily longlasting. 4.60

Cloudberry Lambic Novielli

2008 bottle. Different than what cloudberries used to taste to me. Much more something like raspberries or so, maybe it is a mix of fruit? But it is still fresh and enjoyable despite a pronounced acidity and tartness. Give me some anti-acid pills please.

Lambic Amphora Novielli

Smells like vomit and pickles water. Maybe the worst beer in the entire tasting so far — and maybe of all the entire tasting. It is literally like drinking pickles and vomit. Sour AF.

Don Quijote Novielli

Third time have the whale of whalez. Time make everything equal and even this beer start to be down the hill. Still, the fox grapes flavors are still alive. Strawberries with the lambic acidity and sourness added — still not a smash for your gums.

Zwanze 2018 - Manneken Pise Novielli

Wild and peppery. Like a small grains crushed into glass. Complex and deep. Always a guarantee and a treat from the best Zwanze in the last ten years.

Zwanze 2017 - Cuvée Bijette Novielli

For sure it’s a tea-forward lambic with all the harshness of the Oolong. It is interesting. Earth and dust after an epic battlefield that has been lost. Sourness and tartness are pretty fine and bind like a good lambic should be. 4.40

Sophia Lambic (2018) Novielli

This is totally clay. Like breathing the DAS we used to play with at elementary school and then put lambic into it. Tastes like that mix literally. Harsh on throat and palate. Polish nail too.

Sophia Lambic (2019) Novielli

Get so much the amphora character in this. Clay and copper forward. More vinous than everything, lambic has the right connection tho. 4.30

Sophia Lambic (2020) Novielli

Vinous and grapes are weak at nose, but stronger when drinking. White wine character but also a too strong acidity that doesn’t match my palate well. Would drink it anyway because the ensemble with the wine part is good. 4.20

Vin Santo 2018 Novielli

Held up AF. Marvelous character. Gently pomace stun, then a fragrance like a sweet wine and liquor. The lingering and continuously passage to the finish is excellent. Goes on a non-stop fast lane from sweet to dryness even heat onto palate.

Vinsanto 2020 Novielli

Checked so many times and it is always a super banger. Fine grape pomace and dried peel character so resembles the Vinsanto sweetness in background. The lambic does its part. Dryness and tartness run to each other. Deliciously carbonated, vinous.

Vin Santo 2019 Novielli

Some bell pepper at nose and a bit messy flavor within, but not that off as of many bottles in the past. Macerated grape and a green harshness within and after dryness. Way tart and super persistent. 4.40

Guy De Wits “Fruitkorf” Lambiek (1992) Novielli

You need to wait a long this one sitting to get any of the fruits basket. There’s shadows of the original flavors. Apart from this. Lots of cheesy, vinegar, wood, slight vanilla but acidity is so much pronounced. 3.60

Cuveé Neuf Nations de Bruxelles Novielli

Don’t even worth the rating. Cheesy like super aged hops, full oxidation and heavy salad dressing rain again. Drinkable like a full glass of vinegar and cheese dregs. Smells like dust from 1860 library — similar to Shakespeare and co. in Paris.

Spuyten Duyvil Novielli

Still a great with an amazing cork booms when came out. The cranberries are still bright and mixed gently with mold and citrusness. Crushable; lambic part still has a prominent component in the sip. Funk a lot. Dry, tart, balanced. 4.70

Brabantiæ (1991) Novielli

Completely gone and impossible to get any barrel in there. Also very sour. Super sour. Leather at nose and vinegar too good for my salad with an incredible lemon party (well, not the party you used to search on the internet).

Brabantiae (2018) Novielli

Definitely fine and enjoyable more properly after sitting in the glass for a while. Can find the port barrel which is not that persistent but lingering. Nice one after all, squeezing lemonade and sourish. 4.30

Saint Lamvinus (2003) Novielli

Completely gone. Doesn’t even deserve a rating honestly. Smells and tastes awfully. Vinegar power plus loads of grapefruit juice. Strong oxidation. Impossible to drink. A pity.

Saint Lamvinus Grand Cru (2018) Novielli

Super vinous-forward. Pretty much tannic, cherries. Lots of cherries. Develop some earthy and super dryness on top. Loads of cherries and spiciness in background. Fine work.

Saint Lamvinus (1995) Novielli

Goes on a very pronounced acidity as long as it goes through sipping. Not sure I easily can enjoy that much by myself. It has a great lemony impact into your gum. But still some vinous. 3.90

Saint Lamvinus Merlot Barrel (2002) Novielli

Best of the five had today. Great barrel through. Some sweet wine, then pomace, floral, strong dried plums and raisins. Amazing balance. Tartness isn’t so heavy and has taken a lot from aging. So smooth compared to the others. 4.70

Reed Gueuze Pinot Noir Novielli

Time hasn’t been that generous on this. Not much left of the Pinot Noir to be honest. It is almost gone and has for sure some interesting character typical of old lambic. But nothing really special to me. Hyper tart with a mix of lactic bacteria.

Saint Lamvinus (1994) Novielli

Definitely another song compared to the one played at Quintessence ‘22 (where even there bottle variation came). This is a way off and corky.

Divin Lambic Novielli

It doesn’t stuck me in the middle of a dream like the previous bottles had of this. Maybe some corky and off flavors with too much tannic. Anyway, hey, it’s the Divin. 4.30

Grenache Noir 2021 Novielli

Pretty much grape-forward with still lots to develop and grown. No off flavors at all. Intense indeed, tannic too. Can’t wait to see how it will age. 4.30

Reed Gueuze Muscat Novielli

Rarely giving a full five. This is it. Outstanding character still alive. Flavorful of wildflower honey, dried apricots, lemon zest, white grapes. Very vinous, good spiciness, woody, sour. Hints of gentle lactic bacteria like apricot yoghurt. Excellent.

Drogone Lambic (2019) Novielli

Massive grapes, floral, Aglianico wine like loads of tons of sour cherries, plus lambic part. Get warmth from the intensity. Super dry and tannic. The wine hybrid mouthfeel is delicious in this one. What I like most is that I can feel a real Aglianico.

Drogone Lambic (2020) Novielli

Lighter when doing a side-by-side with b1 even if I enjoyed a lot this taken alone. Lacks some lambic and wine-forward intensity. Surely good and vinous with tannic note but it is too light in this moment. Powerful grape mouthfeel and fine dryness. 4.20

Beer Geek Brunch Weasel Barrel Aged Cognac Novielli

In between oxidation there’s still some heat character from the barrel and coffee powder. I won’t say it survived so many years but it’s not that bad.

Poulsard Lambic Novielli

Completely off and undrinkable to me. Not sure what has happened in this bottle. But develops some hairspray and burned tire aroma. Definitely not good at palate too. Drained pour. It wasn’t like that first time I had at the brewery.

Trousseau Lambic Novielli

Definitely similar to first time had. Less cheesy, same floral, grapes and vinous profile. It is a bit watery, there’s a moment when enter totally void. 4.20

Mourvédre (2018) Novielli

Never had in a bottle, only on draft. Goes pretty similar on a grape forward highway, like launched over its speed limits. Doesn’t give the proper lambic taste, mainly it is only tart and vinous. But it is a good drink indeed. 4.20

Mourvèdre/Carignan Novielli

Never had in a bottle, only on draft. Goes pretty similar on a grape forward highway, like launched over its speed limits. Doesn’t give the proper lambic taste, mainly it is only tart and vinous. But it is a good drink indeed. 4.20

Carignan (2019) Novielli

Better than the Mouvedre in some ways, but still, not the lambic part I expected. Anyway is very vinous and lemony. Also some lactic bacteria notes. Warms with the tartness that’s strong and smashes everything in the gums. 4.40

CLAC! (Trois Cépages) (2019) Novielli

Vinous and grape forward. Great character tho. Carbonation is gonna be a thing in the years, maybe? Lots of tannins. Lemonish also.

Zelige Novielli

Doesn’t make any sense why the rating is so low. Same beer as Nuit b1 which is probably the best Loon druiven after 2010. Super dried cherries, stone of cherry, lovely on tongue. Tannins, tart, incredible carbonation, also brettish and lambic character.

Nuit Bruxelloise (2019) Novielli

Still thinking it needs time. Some vinegar note that fortunately doesn’t take over and overwhelm. Lambic still have to raise up, more going on the cherries/grapes. Lacks complexity of b1. It will improve I’m sure.

Cinsault (2017) Novielli

Much better this time, even not fireworks tho. Totally woody and red fruits. Cherries stone a lot, slight almonds, wood again. Medium acidity and sourness, some vanilla. Well carbonated indeed. Nice fruity lambic. 4.20

Cuvée du Millénaire Novielli

Deep cellar at nose and lots of mold, horse blanket, brett and old leather. Hyper tartness. Like old style Loons with powerful lemonish. 4.20

Monk's Café Cuvee de Monk's Gueuze Novielli

Gentle. Lacks some carbonation but it is widely brettish and drinkable. Lots of spices, wood, earthy, balanced. It has a lovely simplicity. 4.40

Jean Chris Nomad (2011) Novielli

Peppery and lemony. So funk and well centered. Great stuff. Not so deep, but it doesn’t have bad aging signs. Vibrant and slight fizzy. Love that note of spiciness.

Cuvée J F Vonck Novielli

What is most amazing is how this bottle survives 30+ years. Look at the color: no brown tendencies. Of course it should have lost something, it has maybe past its prime but the strong lemonish and tartness is mindblowing. The hand of Jean-Pierre 4.70

Blåbær 2020 Novielli

Absolutely a banger Blabaer like the old times and the best vintages of this one. Surprisingly good. Intensity of fruit AND bretta just under the surface. Blueberry melts with lambic. Liked this a lot. 4.40

Blåbær Lambik (Blueberry Lambic) (2011) Novielli

Mildly funk. Fruit is almost gone but still alive indeed. Earthy and tart. Not much complexity as the fresher vintages. 3.90

Blåbær Lambik (Blueberry Lambic) (2021) Novielli

Difficult to find any lambic here. More likely a wild ale with blueberries. Feels something odd tho, like dying fruits. A bit monotonous. Slight note of vinegar that doesn’t disturb at all. Massive fruitiness. Medium body. 3.70

Gueuze Loerik (1996) Novielli

The cat is alive. 26 years of laziness, but pretty sure it referment at some point. It’s a blast of concentrated lemon with grassy suggestions too. Also very young apricots and white peach. Oxidized just at nose. Best of three. B1 >>> B2 > B3. 4.60

Gueuze Loerik (2019) Novielli

Slight carbonation, medium to high acidity and polish nail on background. Lemonish and grapefruit. So tart and persistent. Goes towards a worsen polish again when warmer but not taking over still. Brett and blanket too. Grassy flavors.

Gueuze Loerik (2018) Novielli

Definitely lazier and sweeter than b3, goes sure on a nicer balancing in between sourness and the brettish components. Blanket and tears. Finish not so long but it’s so drinkable and that’s a great thing. Lemon overall and punch of apricots. 4.30

Vin Santo 2019 Novielli

@ASF 2022 backlog lunch pause.

Lambic d'Aunis (2019) Novielli

Red on red. Vinous, tannic, grapes and grapefruit marriage. Tart and tannic again on finish. Such a bloody persistency. Intense a lot on the grapes part, maybe it covers lambic a bit. Deep floral and spiciness under surface. Brilliant. 4.60

Vinsanto 2020 Novielli

Maybe the best druiven Cantillon atm. Delicious, drinkable, sour, deep, perfect match with pomace. Can go way over with evolution.

Saint Lamvinus (2014) Novielli

This one aged excellently. Like a red grape shower into your glass, with a massive acidity and a bold tannic finish. Astringency might be heavy, not a problem tho. Deep, tart, vinous, grapefruity, solid. 4.60

Iris (2016) Novielli

Amazing how this one hasn’t changed much in the years. This was a great year for Iris. Super funk and tart. Great lambic showcase and sour soul. Acid on jazz. Loved it.

Geuze Mariage Parfait (2012) Novielli

Vigneronne (2016) Novielli

It hasn’t improved after years. Still not completely clean and lacks the grapes a bit. Just dry, funk, lactic bacteria. Lightning of tartness that disappears and fading quickly. Very light body. 3.90

Rosé de Gambrinus (2012) Novielli

Awesomeness like a fresh LPF in the old style. Super tart will crush your gums and tooth. Chewing great balls of raspberries. Highly sour. Great

Lambic d’Aunis (2021) Novielli

Drogone Lambic (2019) Novielli

From the Magnum bottle. Very different from my acquaintance and memory of this lambic. Thin, just vinous, grapes, woody, dry, definitely not the complexity that I remember.

Nuit Bruxelloise (2019) Novielli

Definitely better than the bottle opened two days ago. Anyway it has still to develop some of the hyper complexity charge proper of the b1. Dried red fruits, cherries, red grapes, good dryness and tartness, tannic too. 4.30

Chardonnay (2021) Novielli

Wine-forward with lambic soul. Mineral, dry, some kind of Champagne carbonation. Grape pomace pressed and dried. Straight stuff excellently drinkable.

Aspérule Odorante Novielli

Lambic blended with grandmother tisana. Balsamic, piney, floral forward. Dry and funk. Mostly flat and still lambic life. Intense, fragrant.

LH12 Novielli

Smells history. A real oldie gem. Tastes cellar, smooth basement, just a very thin oxidation and then super dupa cognac. Silky and totally flat. No carbonation at all. Intensity of tartness and dryness afterward. Longlasting. Dusty and intense. 4.60

Canti Fonte Pasta E Basta Novielli

Such a balance of grapes and lambic. Tart, even better than StLam. Complexity from grapes are so intense. When warmer show up a really thin lingering lactic bacteria taste, but it’s tied to the background. Tannic, funk, wild. Might only improve. 4.60

Vinsanto 2020 Novielli

Bright taste and flavors of pressed and dried grapes. Very pleasant. Lots of spiciness too. Good to see this is gonna go to a finest evolution in the bottle from aging. Dry and funk like a carpet of fresh flowers. Honey, golden apple, complex. 4.70

Lambic Vin Jaune / La Vie Est Belge (2020) Novielli

Curry spices mixed with white wine/vinous flavors. Super mineral from smell. Dusty and floral. Dry and mineral again, nutty, maybe even to saltiness.

Classic Gueuze (2010) Novielli

Cellar, mold, basement, a bit of oxidation too. Loads of tartness, super bitter, funk too and definitely tart. So much tart. Well, a classic gueuze.

Nuit Bruxelloise (2019) Novielli

Disappointed by this b2 compared to the outstanding and supreme b1. It has barely the carbonation of the previous one. Some weird aroma like veggies, vinegar, harshness. Then the vinous, macerated cherries, spicy profile. Definitely not my cup of tea.

Lambic Grenache Blanc (2021) Novielli

Definitely better than Plaisir but still on the same construction. White grapes/wine, loads of dryness/acetic, green apples, floral, less disconnection.

Muscat Petits Grains Novielli

Some oxidation that is pleasant gives a nice introduction. Dry as a good white wine. Some lingering flowers honey too. Fine acidity, more ordinary than the recent stuff. Tart, dry, funk. Really balanced in the end, classical wine hybrid. 4.4

Scarabée Novielli

Beetle or Beatles? Well it plays nicely good anyway. I think it’s a bit young, taste and aroma are definitely Gewürtz-forward with tons of spices, dry white grapes taste, some acidity, so it’s clean, bright, gives your palate an illumination of light. 4.6

Couvreur Novielli

This is really complex and hard. Whiskey barrel is pretty much overriding but not everything. Lots of citrus peel and still lambic to taste. Medium sourness and tartness, smooth vanilla and lingering dryness. Very nice one.

Oude Geuze Boon Black Label Edition N°3 Novielli

12/12/21 backlog. Great gueuze. Funk, leather, brett, mild acidity, grapefruity, cellar notes. Not strongly citrusy like 3F, but a great entry basic level indeed.

Grand Cru Bruocsella Brut (2020) Novielli

Such an underrated one. Classy unblended and non-fruited lambic. Elegant, sour, barnyard, funk and slight lactic note. Loads of grapefruity taste on finish. Longlasting. Delicious everyday lambic. 4.40

Magic Lambic (2020) Novielli

Aroma reminds some sherbet or similar — very fruity, raspberry, almonds and vanilla. Fresh fruitiness and sour came through on tongue. Smoothness from vanilla too. The lambic part vanishes too quickly and gives finish a dry, fruity again experience. 3.90

Zwanze 2018 - Manneken Pise Novielli

Same opinion as last august we checked into this.

CLAC! (Trois Cépages) (2019) Novielli

After 1y more sitting it gains much more balance in between vinous and sour profile. Starts vinous, tannic, but the sip is so deep and get you a funk, leather, controlled vinegar kick on throat in the aftertaste. Super tart too.

Tyrnilambic Baie D'Argousier (2021) Novielli

Def thin profile and body. No deep contribute from the lambic. On the other side, the berries are very particular and gives an original taste. Mildly sourness and tartness, a bit watery. Some lemon-cedar on finish too. 3.85

Cuvée de l’Espérance Novielli

Wow. Thank you Kyle, you made my day with this unexpected surprise. Intriguing flavors of cognac and a mix of young and old lambic. Leather and brett came out easily so classy. I think it’s young and should be even more better in years. 4.40

Drogone Lambic (2020) Novielli

Tannic and red wine barrel bomb. Strictly tart and dry. Loads of pomegranate, grapefruit, grapes. Sourness is just a bit disconnected, but came through easily. Class and rough. Gums are under attack. Guess it can even be more complex than that. 4.60

50 Degrees N - 4 Degrees E (Armagnac) (2017) Novielli

Stunning elegance. Barnyard, funk, vinous, vanilla, wood, sweat. Some dried grapefruit and tartness within. Slight lactic notes that binds in the shuffle. Such enjoyable one. 4.40

Vinsanto 2020 Novielli

Full vinsanto flavors. Dried grapes, spiciness, vinous, phenolic, liquor, sweet wine. Less complex than b1 and b2, but more balance, more stability. Fizziness medium to high. Dry a lot.

Zwanze 2018 - Manneken Pise Novielli

Evolution of this is such a work. Very similar to the GCB or GCB Brut. Barnyard, wild, sour, horse blanket, just a slight lactic note. Barrel and thin tannic/vinous note. Expected to be even more different in years. Great Zwanze.

Camerise Lambic (2020) Novielli

Berries and tart shock. Not so persistent, a bit watery in the end.

Sophia Lambic (2020) Novielli

Interesting and complex lemonish and mineral aroma, dusty and hot stones. Better at nose than palate. Offers a monotone bouquet maybe, but it’s clean and thirst quenching. Nectarines. A bit salty, cut is incredibly fast with not so longlasting finish.

Lou Pepe Kriek (2018) Novielli

Pronounced acidity much more than last vintages. Sour power. Similar to the old style with loads of super tart feeling especially on finish. Hard cut after the smooth almond and cherry meat. 4.60

Trousseau Lambic Novielli

Gentle touch of floral, grapes, young grapes. Vinous. Mildly sour, more a blend then an amphorae aging. Some cheesy and muddy came out through on finish within a thin note of vinegar. It’s good and has potential. 4.20

Vigneronne (2020) Novielli

Excellent. Clean, sour, vinous, mineral, funk that came out later. Carbonate in a great way. Dry and mineral on finish again. Elegance of some young peach and melon too. Slight cut on the mineral is the main theme. Lovely. 4.60

Mirabelle Novielli

A smashing box of lemons and grapefruit which covers almost from the beginning to the end. Deeply tart and sour. When warmer the plum came out, but like not mature fruit — more green. Some acetic raises in the background, but controlled. Not so deep. 3.90

Riesling (2014) Novielli

Gentle and complex in aroma and also taste. Mineral, stones, macerated grapes, vinous. Tart, acidic, great balance on carbonation. 4.40

Racine Novielli

Extraordinary, period. Lovely drinkability and vinous. Subtle herbal, sweet start, marvelous sourness. Dry and longlasting.

Le Plaisir Novielli

Needs time. A small brush of phenolic and polish nails spread over, but it’s fine. Not invading, well covered by a fistful of grapes, vinous mouthfeel. Hard dryness and funk. Needs time. I’m sure will improve. 3.90

Nuit Bruxelloise (2015) Novielli

Needs a bit to open and spreads awaken, but always spectacular. Amazing complexity. Barrel strength at its top. Macerated cherries, funk, vinous, horse blanket, excellent dryness. Harder and dryer than last time. Can be a top tier ever in years. 4.70

Fruit-Full Fort (2018) Novielli

Bought at the brewery in summer 2018. Heavy fruitiness of all the red fruits (raspberry, blackberries, etc.), plus some plum. But it’s an enormous boozy liquid, difficult to get malt or something else. Spicy a lot. Like cherry wine under a Christmas tree.

Lou Pepe Kriek (2017) Novielli

Damn almond and chamomile too. Loads of cherries meat. It’s not, maybe, like the super tart explosion like 2004 vintage, but rocks still. 4.40

Oude Geuze Boon Black Label Edition N°4 Novielli

4/25/21 backlog. Delicious, funky and classy gueuze. Properly fizzy, tart, sour, grapefruit, a touch of savory. Def not rough. Gentle indeed, clean. In between Tilquin and Girardin taste.

Iris (2016) Novielli

Aged greatly. Soft hops still strikes, but just into the bitterness. Crushable leather and blanket. Rough with no off-flavors. Grapefruity, bitter straightforward. Less lemony and lacks the wheat. Tart and dry, good one.

Brabantiæ (2019) Novielli

2/13/21 backlog. Elegant, woody, leather, brett and port wine decadence, vinous. Classy lemonish and tart, pretty drinkable. Like an improved gueuze. 4.40