Iris

◎ Appearance

Iris presents a pale amber hue, bright and translucent, reflecting its all-malt grist and deviation from Cantillon's traditional wheat-based lambics. The carbonation is gentle and persistent, with a delicate white head that builds modestly and leaves fine Schaumhaftung along the glass. The clarity is excellent, allowing the warm golden tones to shine through.

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with fresh herbal and spicy hop character from the two-week pre-bottling addition, layered beneath aged hop mustiness and woody undertones from two years in barrel. Subtle pale Malz sweetness provides a foundation, while the fermentation contributes a light funky complexity typical of wild yeast work. A dry, resinous quality dominates, with minimal fruitiness.

◐ Taste

Entry is dry and assertively bitter, with 45 IBUs asserting themselves immediately across the palate—by far Cantillon's most aggressively hopped expression. Mid-palate layers herbal and slightly piney notes from fresh hops against oak tannins and a subtle tartness from the wild fermentation, while the pale Malz backbone remains understated. The finish is persistently dry and lingering, with hop bitterness and wood drying the mouth considerably.

◑ Finish

The finish is long and drying, with bitterness and oak tannins dominating the aftertaste. A subtle sour note and slight herbaceous bite persist, leaving the palate refreshed but decidedly parched.