Lambic Discussion Thread

[BusinessSloth]

but... the art, and churches... and war history... and the wine in france!

Where would you recommend getting a Museum pass in Belgium? Trying to devote a day or two just to checking them out and I know there's a 24/48/72 hour unlimited pass that you can buy.

 

[mjohnson171]

Some Cantillon up on Belgium in a Box... jacked the prices up like crazy and are now roughly 50% more than what Etre was selling for last week:

750 Rose de Gambrinus -- BiaB: 20.99 / Etre: 13.70
750 Gueuze -- BiaB: 13.50 / Etre: 9.55

BiaB's Cantillon prices have been going up for a while now. But that's pretty indicitive of most lambic prices slightly rising due to popularity, and to a lesser extent inflation. I'd be okay with these prices if it meant there was regular access to these beers. It is a bit frustrating when coupled with the fact that even with the price increase this stuff sells out in less than an hour. However I don't fault Kurt & BiaB for raising prices; Business gonna business.

 

[callmemickey]

However I don't fault Kurt & BiaB for raising prices; Business gonna business.

Definitely. That said, it is interesting that the gap versus Etre is that wide. It is also seems that (as evident from the Girardin issue) the webshops' conduct is starting to have consequences with their suppliers.

 

[boogercrack]

Definitely. That said, it is interesting that the gap versus Etre is that wide. It is also seems that (as evident from the Girardin issue) the webshops' conduct is starting to have consequences with their suppliers.

starting to?

has been for a couple years.

 

[Terroir]

Ugh.

Not soley going for beer what so ever. I'm graduating with a food studies degree concentrating on wine and beverage and am writing my two senior thesises on lambic production throughout the 19th and 20th century and the effect wild microbes and oak have on the terroir of natural wine and lambic so it's a relevant trip regardless. I plan on spending a week in Belgium, staying in Brussels predominantly with a night or two in Brugges. As I said in my original post I'll be traveling to France (visiting Paris and Dijon) and the Netherlands (Amsterdam). So no, it is not soley a beer trip and I wouldn't plan my first trip to Europe to revolve soley around a beverage. I was curious as to events like open brew day, quintessence, TDG, and others that might be worth trying to attend.

I was simply looking to see when the best time to go was and when there may be a variety of bottles for sale and to drink at Cantillon. Since this is a lambic thread in a beer forum I figured I would make my post revolve around the beer somewhat. Thanks to those who helped with some answers though!

 

[mjohnson171]

Definitely. That said, it is interesting that the gap versus Etre is that wide. It is also seems that (as evident from the Girardin issue) the webshops' conduct is starting to have consequences with their suppliers.

For sure. I wouldn't be surprised if we see all (respectable) webshops raise prices. There's always been the sites that gouge and people still buy from. But I would imagine if BiaB's prices increases are successful (most of the 'loons already sold out even with limits so would seem successful) then Etre would normalize their prices to the "market" too.
I equate this to the gas stations analogy; sure there's one or two that have gas cheaper than the rest for a while, but eventually they all fall in line with what the average is (withing a cent or two from each other). And when demand outweighs supply that normalization is typically an upward price trend.


...Now if only we could flip the graph and have supply far outweigh demand....

 

[boogercrack]

every time etre puts up a seasonal, it's gone up a euro or two from the time before. for the last couple of years the trend holds.

 

[callmemickey]

every time etre puts up a seasonal, it's gone up a euro or two from the time before. for the last couple of years the trend holds.

A euro a year ain't bad for price increases (especially on the more expensive seasonals).

Looked back at my order history. Last year I paid €6.99 per 750ml of Cantillon Gueuze from BiaB ... one year later ... €13.50 per 750ml. That's a bit different.

 

[Michigander1]

A euro a year ain't bad for price increases (especially on the more expensive seasonals).

Looked back at my order history. Last year I paid €6.99 per 750ml of Cantillon Gueuze from BiaB ... one year later ... €13.50 per 750ml. That's a bit different.

At least 3FOG's price isn't blowing up like Cantillon.

 

[lazerviking]

At least 3FOG's price isn't blowing up like Cantillon.

 

[SinH4]

I was curious as to events like open brew day, quintessence, TDG, and others that might be worth trying to attend.

Well, Zythos is on April 23 & 24, and if the past dates have anything to tell, Nacht van de Grote Dorst is probably gonna be on Friday, April 22.

...Now if only we could flip the graph and have supply far outweigh demand....

It was like that for a while. At least, like this, the brewers sell everything they produce and can be sure to make a living doing it (although distributors get the major share and not the brewers). Too many breweries were killed after the World Wars because demand went down and local taste changed. Cantillon would not have survived had they not made a museum out of the brewery, and hell, the average Belgian doesn't even drink traditional Lambic.

 

[regularjohn]

If you don't really care what month you go, why not pick the one where you might actually get some Fou?

yeah that's the real deal breaker, deciding whether or not to travel over 4k miles.....but wait do they have any fou!?!?!?!!

 

[archagon]

yeah that's the real deal breaker, deciding whether or not to travel over 4k miles.....but wait do they have any fou!?!?!?!!

Some people plan their vacations around going to a music festival, an expo, or a conference. (Or wine tasting, for that matter.) Everything else being the same, I don't understand why this is such an unusual concept. I assume that OP wouldn't pick the month solely based on a beer release, but if several different months are under consideration, surely it's something nice to keep in mind? As a person interested in trying new beers? Like we are? You know?

 

[LukeAleTime]

Where would you recommend getting a Museum pass in Belgium? Trying to devote a day or two just to checking them out and I know there's a 24/48/72 hour unlimited pass that you can buy.

No idea sorry! I have only been through Brussels for three nights and my gf was sick for two of them. I can tell you how to find an after hours chemist on a Sunday night though?

 

[BusinessSloth]

No idea sorry! I have only been through Brussels for three nights and my gf was sick for two of them. I can tell you how to find an after hours chemist on a Sunday night though?

...IN!

 

[Saind]

Not soley going for beer what so ever. I'm graduating with a food studies degree concentrating on wine and beverage and am writing my two senior thesises on lambic production throughout the 19th and 20th century and the effect wild microbes and oak have on the terroir of natural wine and lambic so it's a relevant trip regardless. I plan on spending a week in Belgium, staying in Brussels predominantly with a night or two in Brugges. As I said in my original post I'll be traveling to France (visiting Paris and Dijon) and the Netherlands (Amsterdam). So no, it is not soley a beer trip and I wouldn't plan my first trip to Europe to revolve soley around a beverage. I was curious as to events like open brew day, quintessence, TDG, and others that might be worth trying to attend.

I was simply looking to see when the best time to go was and when there may be a variety of bottles for sale and to drink at Cantillon. Since this is a lambic thread in a beer forum I figured I would make my post revolve around the beer somewhat. Thanks to those who helped with some answers though!

ZBF would indeed be a good weekend to go. Last year there were 5 (I think) lambic producers (stekers/brewers) at the festival. And de nacht van de grote dorst isn't far off.

 

[LukeAleTime]

...IN!

Find any chemist, then read the list of duty chemists on the door. Work out which one listed is nearest you. Chances are the after hours one will look closed but there will be an intercom (that doesn't really work) and a slot to exchange money. Then hope you can explain the issue through a crackling intercom in english, french or dutch that may or may not be good depending on you and them.

My result was some sort of tablets that had a strain of saccharomyces in them. When I was walking back to our accomodation I was super bummed that I walked all that way to get medication and the result was ******* yeast tablets (I was cursing Belgium and their love of beer). But they worked a treat and we were on our bikes the next day!

 

[mjohnson171]

Find any chemist, then read the list of duty chemists on the door. Work out which one listed is nearest you. Chances are the after hours one will look closed but there will be an intercom (that doesn't really work) and a slot to exchange money. Then hope you can explain the issue through a crackling intercom in english, french or dutch that may or may not be good depending on you and them.

My result was some sort of tablets that had a strain of saccharomyces in them. When I was walking back to our accomodation I was super bummed that I walked all that way to get medication and the result was ******* yeast tablets (I was cursing Belgium and their love of beer). But they worked a treat and we were on our bikes the next day!

Moral of the story: beer cures all.

 

[beerman2]

lol... so Girardin complained that they don't want etre to ship their beer to USA? Do they expect Americans to travel to Belgium if they can't find it on the shelf locally? This sounds like the RR/HF campaign against ebay.

 

[callmemickey]

lol... so Girardin complained that they don't want etre to ship their beer to USA? Do they expect Americans to travel to Belgium if they can't find it on the shelf locally? This sounds like the RR/HF campaign against ebay.

No, (supposedly) D&V had Girardin complain to Etre/BiaB. There is a big difference there.

 

[Shakedwnst]

Right, but if D&V isn't going to make it any easier for consumers to find Girardin on US shelves, I'm not sure what incentive Girardin has to say anything.

 

[mikecharley]

Right, but if D&V isn't going to make it any easier for consumers to find Girardin on US shelves, I'm not sure what incentive Girardin has to say anything.

They have the incentive of a contract

 

[Friend_of_the_Gueuze]

Right, but if D&V isn't going to make it any easier for consumers to find Girardin on US shelves, I'm not sure what incentive Girardin has to say anything.

Contractural obligations perhaps?

Bottom line, makes no difference: the deed is done.

 

[houdinikegstand]

At least 3FOG's price isn't blowing up like Cantillon.

Volume pack 4/2014-100 euro
Volume pack 10/2015-130 euro

Not blowing up but steady creepin' upward

 

[BoatsAndHoes]

Hey guys, new(ish) to the lambic game here. Instead of being newmoney and trading them for poopy adjunct stouts I want to cellar and see how they develop/change over time. Here's what my buddy in the Netherlands was kind enough to send:

Fou, Vig, St Lam, LPF, RdG, Grand Cru Bruocsella

All bottles are the most recent vintages. The LPF and GCB are the only ones I haven't tried fresh. Which bottles age better, what's better right out of the gate, etc? Thanks in advance!

 

[sunnrider]

Fruit lambics tend to fade over time and become more sour/acidic. A fresh Fou beats an old Fou for me but you´ll always find people who prefer aged lambic no matter the style. Gueuze will age better than the rest, but the St Lam and Brucosella that you have are both wine-like so would probably do quite well in a cellar.
Since you haven´t had LPF fresh. drink it now, trust me it´s awesome

 

[BoatsAndHoes]

Fruit lambics tend to fade over time and become more sour/acidic. A fresh Fou beats an old Fou for me but you´ll always find people who prefer aged lambic no matter the style. Gueuze will age better than the rest, but the St Lam and Brucosella that you have are both wine-like so would probably do quite well in a cellar.
Since you haven´t had LPF fresh. drink it now, trust me it´s awesome

Thanks! I know what I'm bringing to my buddies birthday share on Sunday then

 

[Hookemhops13]

new(ish) to the lambic game, my buddy in the Netherlands was kind enough to send:

Fou, Vig, St Lam, LPF, RdG, Grand Cru Bruocsella

I hate you....

 

[SeaWatchman]

I've reached out to Specialty/D&V through Lambic.Info for a comment. We'll see if they respond.

 

[BoatsAndHoes]

I hate you....

Let me know if you are ever in the Columbus area. We are good people