Located in Bierghes, in the Senne valley, the Gueuzerie Tilquin is the only gueuzerie in Wallonia, just a handful of kilometers from the Flemish border. A gueuzerie, or Geuzestekerij in Dutch, is a company where Gueuze à l'ancienne - the traditional style - or Oude Geuze is produced by blending Lambic from different vintages.
Freshly produced Lambic is purchased from various producers in the region (Payottenland and Brussels) and placed in oak barrels for fermentation and maturation, for 1, 2, or 3 years. In fact, for a few years now, Pierre Tilquin, a renowned blender, has equipped himself with a facility to produce part of the Lambic he uses for blending. After the usual years in the barrel, the Lambic is assembled and bottled to obtain, after 6 months of refermentation, one of the most alcoholic Gueuze: in the bottled version, the most common, Gueuze Tilquin has 7% ABV; there is also a "draft version," designed for tap service, which stops at 5.5% ABV.
There are many other, to be honest, wonders that come from Bierghes and range from the use of berries, peaches, and grapes. A producer worth discovering and famous for the elegance of its beers, where it is very rare to encounter heavy off-flavors that complicate the drinking experience.