Oude Pinot Gris Tilquin a L'Ancienne 750ML

Oude Pinot Gris Tilquin à L'Ancienne 750ML is a spontaneously fermented Belgian lambic macerated with Pinot Gris grapes, bottled at 8.4% ABV. Scoring 4.45 out of 5 on BeerAdvocate, this fruit lambic from Gueuzerie Tilquin stands among the most sought-after expressions in the entire lambic tradition, blending wild fermentation character with the aromatic complexity of white wine grapes.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.4%  |  Origin: Bierghes, Wallonia, Belgium  |  Style: Fruit Lambic (Spontaneous Fermentation)  |  Blendery: Gueuzerie Tilquin

Production & Heritage

Gueuzerie Tilquin, founded in 2009 by Pierre Tilquin in Bierghes, Belgium, is the only active lambic blendery in Wallonia and the first new blendery established in decades. Tilquin holds the distinction of being the only blender permitted to regularly purchase wort from Cantillon, one of the most revered lambic producers in the world. For this expression, 280 grams of Pinot Gris grapes are macerated per liter of lambic, resulting in a spontaneously fermented beer that is unfiltered, unpasteurized, and refermented in the bottle — preserving the full depth of its wild yeast and bacterial cultures.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe stone fruit — apricot, peach, and nectarine — before shifting into white grape and citrus territory with lemon and orange peel. Underneath, layers of barnyard funk, toasted hay, straw, and oak barrel emerge, giving the aroma a complexity that straddles the line between Belgian lambic and natural white wine.

Taste: The entry is immediately tart and puckery, with white wine grape character leading the charge. At mid-palate, vinous sweetness meets earthy barnyard funk, horseblanket, and woody oak. The peak delivers peppercorn spice and toasted wheat malt, adding savory depth to the fruit-forward profile.

Finish: The finish is long, dry, and bracingly crisp, carried by high carbonation and a lingering tart acidity. Fading notes of oak, straw, and stone fruit linger well after the final sip.

How to Drink Oude Pinot Gris Tilquin

Serve chilled at 45–50°F in a tulip glass or white wine glass to fully capture the aromatic bouquet; this is a beer meant to be savored on its own, without dilution or mixing. A Lambic Kir — pairing a small measure of cassis or elderflower liqueur with the beer — can accentuate the fruit notes. A Berliner Shandy variation, blending a small portion with fresh lemonade, works as a summer refresher. For a more adventurous serve, use it in a Wild Ale Spritz topped with a splash of dry sparkling wine and an orange twist, which amplifies the vinous, citrus-driven character.

Best For

• Gifting a serious lambic or sour beer enthusiast
• Special-occasion tasting alongside artisanal cheeses
• Vertical tastings comparing Tilquin fruit lambic vintages
• Wine lovers exploring the intersection of natural wine and wild ale

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Oude Pinot Gris Tilquin taste like? It delivers a tart, puckery white grape and stone fruit profile layered with barnyard funk, oak, toasted hay, and a peppery spice note. The mouthfeel is medium-full bodied with high carbonation, finishing dry and refreshingly crisp.

How does Oude Pinot Gris Tilquin compare to 3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze? 3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze is a traditional unfruited gueuze focused on lemon, grain, and funky complexity, while Tilquin's Pinot Gris expression adds a prominent vinous, stone-fruit dimension from the grape maceration. Both are benchmark-quality spontaneous fermentation beers, but the Tilquin skews closer to a natural white wine in aromatic character.

Is Oude Pinot Gris Tilquin good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — this is primarily a sipping beer, best enjoyed slowly from a tulip or wine glass at cellar temperature to appreciate its layered fruit, funk, and oak complexity.

Where is Oude Pinot Gris Tilquin made? It is produced at Gueuzerie Tilquin in Bierghes, a small town in the Wallonia region of Belgium. Tilquin is the only lambic blendery operating in Wallonia, sourcing its wort from traditional lambic brewers in the Pajottenland and Senne Valley.

What foods pair well with Oude Pinot Gris Tilquin? Aged Comté or Gruyère cheese brings out the beer's nutty oak notes. Fresh oysters complement the bracing acidity. Charcuterie with cured pork and cornichons echoes the funky, tangy profile. Grilled white fish with lemon butter mirrors the citrus and mineral finish. A fruit tart with apricot or peach preserves creates a harmonious dessert pairing.

What sizes does Oude Pinot Gris Tilquin come in? The standard release is a 750ML bottle, consistent with traditional lambic packaging designed for cork-and-cage bottle refermentation.

Is Oude Pinot Gris Tilquin worth the price? This expression positions in the premium tier of fruit lambics, and its limited production, use of real Pinot Gris grapes, and consistently high critical ratings — 4.45 on BeerAdvocate — place it firmly among the top values in the artisanal spontaneous fermentation category.

Why Oude Pinot Gris Tilquin?

Gueuzerie Tilquin's exclusive access to Cantillon wort gives this blendery a foundation few others can claim. The maceration of 280 grams of Pinot Gris grapes per liter of lambic creates a hybrid character — simultaneously wild ale and natural wine — that is genuinely rare in the beer world. With a 4.45 rating on BeerAdvocate and a devoted following among lambic collectors, the Oude Pinot Gris stands as one of the most compelling fruit lambic expressions available today. For anyone serious about spontaneous fermentation or looking to bridge the gap between Belgian sour ales and skin-contact white wines, this bottle delivers singular complexity.