A malty, fruity, aged, somewhat sour Belgian-style brown ale.

A malty, fruity, aged, somewhat sour Belgian-style brown ale.

• A. Belgian Pale Ale
• B. Lambic
• C. Geuze
• D. Oud Bruin

Answer: (D)

This description points to Oud Bruin. It’s a Belgian brown ale built on a solid malt backbone, giving malty, caramel-like flavors. The fruity character often comes from the yeast and fermentation, and the beer is aged to gain complexity. That aging also brings a mild, lingering sourness, which fits the “somewhat sour” note without becoming as tart as Lambic or Geuze. Why the other styles don’t fit as neatly: a Belgian Pale Ale is lighter in color and hop-forward, not described as a brown, aged beer with a notable sourness. Lambic is produced with wild fermentation and is typically quite sour and funky, with little malt-forward depth. Geuze, a blend of young and old Lambics, is usually very tart and often lighter in color, not the malty, brown-ale profile described here.

This description points to Oud Bruin. It’s a Belgian brown ale built on a solid malt backbone, giving malty, caramel-like flavors. The fruity character often comes from the yeast and fermentation, and the beer is aged to gain complexity. That aging also brings a mild, lingering sourness, which fits the “somewhat sour” note without becoming as tart as Lambic or Geuze.

Why the other styles don’t fit as neatly: a Belgian Pale Ale is lighter in color and hop-forward, not described as a brown, aged beer with a notable sourness. Lambic is produced with wild fermentation and is typically quite sour and funky, with little malt-forward depth. Geuze, a blend of young and old Lambics, is usually very tart and often lighter in color, not the malty, brown-ale profile described here.