Review: Brasserie Nonsuch Manitoba Lambic (Vintage 2021)

I don't know how long I've had this beer in my hoard for, but I don't think for too long - today's sampling is La Brasserie Nonsuch's Manitoba Lambic barrel aged in Pineau des Charentes barrels. The vintage is 2021, and I think I bought this in 2023 or 2024. I still remember thinking back in 2017 that no Manitoba brewery would ever do Lambic-style beer except for Half Pints. For some reason I was really into Lambic style Belgian ales, but now? I've lost interest for most styles but I'm still intrigued to see how it will be.

As soon as I was looking into this beer.. it turns out I've already reviewed a Lambic by Nonsuch back in 2022 when I was living at my parents family farm in South Western Manitoba, staying away from my gross roommates. Well, the initial review was a 2020 vintage so that means I don't have to discard this review at all.. this means I can try the 2021 vintage! Wow, that stressed me out for a second. 4.8% ABV

Appearance: Deep honey appearance with a good clarity to it. It has a moderate amount of head as I'm pouring it, as well as a bit of carbonation, but it diminishes to give off a bit of a wine or mead kind of vibe to it, it's pretty much just.. still. 

Aroma: A tad tart, a bit of an apple juice kind of aroma, a slight barnyard vibe to it, notes of pear, slight woodiness, slight bit of white wine. Quite light, surprisingly.

Taste: It's almost like a wine-like delicacy to it, it's very velvety to the palate, it's moderately sweet with a decent tartness to it - almost like a white wine again. It's a bit oaky and the oak really settles on the palate after a moment or so. Notes of pear, lemon, a bit funky, definitely tart.. but that's all my poor palate can get, but I do get an aftertaste that reminds me of Old Dutch potato chips. 

Overall Thoughts: Tart, barnyardy, sweet, tad fruity, apparently Old Dutch chips-like, definitely wine-forward. Definitely something I should be sharing with a fellow wine loving friend, but I have this bottle to myself.. so will I enjoy it? Of course, but I wish I was drinking their Saison or Old Ale X instead. That's just how I roll. Vive les bières Manitobaines.