Lambic Discussion Thread

[stupac2]

Where would one obtain lambic baskets? Outside of stealing it from Brasserie Cantillon of course. Is this a niche item that will be quite expensive?

I bought a wicker one from crosamich. I think it was like $25 shipped, somewhere around there. I also got one for free in Belgium, but that route is a little less replicable.

 

[KeKeKumba]

I just realized I'm a ******* who pm'd crosamich on BA about them and completely forgot to follow up. Do want.

 

[Rowingbrewer1]

Look for wine baskets on amazon. 2 for $20

 

[deeblo]

I bought a wine pourer basket on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tan-Beige-W...ourer-w-Handle-Pour-Ring-Lovely-/371013860965

 

[black_cascade]

I don't know of it's been discussed yet...and I'm too lazy to search through the thread, sorry, but has anyone had a 2010 grand cru bruocsella lately? I shared one with some friends last night and it was ******* phenomenal, it was awesome to try a straight up un-blended lambic, the best way I could describe it was it was like being able to taste the blank canvas that becomes some of the works of art that cantillon produces.

 

[HenrikO]

I don't know of it's been discussed yet...and I'm too lazy to search through the thread, sorry, but has anyone had a 2010 grand cru bruocsella lately? I shared one with some friends last night and it was ******* phenomenal, it was awesome to try a straight up un-blended lambic, the best way I could describe it was it was like being able to taste the blank canvas that becomes some of the works of art that cantillon produces.

2010, 2009, 2008, 2007... It's all good. A somewhat underrated Cantillon if you ask me. Agree that it has a "rawness" to it that everyone might not feel appealing, but I sure like it.

 

[Rowingbrewer1]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CKPKQRK/?tag=talkbecom09-20
not wicker but they will get the job done

 

[black_cascade]

2010, 2009, 2008, 2007... It's all good. A somewhat underrated Cantillon if you ask me. Agree that it has a "rawness" to it that everyone might not feel appealing, but I sure like it.

Yeah rawness is a perfect way to describe it, and the fact that it's still is really cool. Lambic in one of it's purest forms captured in a bottle.

 

[Jonada]

2010, 2009, 2008, 2007... It's all good. A somewhat underrated Cantillon if you ask me. Agree that it has a "rawness" to it that everyone might not feel appealing, but I sure like it.

I agree. People just like their bubbles I guess.

 

[stupac2]

I think Bruocsella tastes soapy. It just has this off flavor that I don't like. It's not only about the carbonation (though I don't love it flat), I also don't think it tastes great.

 

[SeaWatchman]

I think Bruocsella tastes soapy. It just has this off flavor that I don't like. It's not only about the carbonation (though I don't love it flat), I also don't think it tastes great.

Agreed, it sucks. Stay away from it. All of it.

 

[stupac2]

Agreed, it sucks. Stay away from it. All of it.

You don't need to worry about me, I've left it on shelves plenty of times. Not that we're ever shopping in the same places...

 

[Rowingbrewer1]

Not the fanciest but they will get the job done

 

[axeman91821]

How does the bottle dating work for Tilquin Gueuze? I'm guessing that best by date is 10 years out.

 

[Rowingbrewer1]

How does the bottle dating work for Tilquin Gueuze? I'm guessing that best by date is 10 years out.

 

[SeaWatchman]

How does the bottle dating work for Tilquin Gueuze? I'm guessing that best by date is 10 years out.

Yep, 10 years out. I need to get some batches updated in the spreadsheet.

 

[Etan]

Rowingbrewer SeaWatchman

Finally opened this guy up. 2006 750ml bottling, so going on 8 years in the bottle. I bought the bottle in 2011, and cellaring conditions beforehand must have been great because this was delicious (and carbed!).

Synthetic cork, poured with a bit of head. Light yet zingy carbonation on the tongue. Plenty of citrus and mineral (we're talking 3F here) with mild acidity and some pleasant bretty gameyness. Mellow and very tasty. I'm very happy with the way this bottle turned out.

 

[mrk_d]

I have a 2006 Doesjel en route, glad to hear it's drinking well. Apparently the 375s don't hold up so well.

 

[Rowingbrewer1]

Rowingbrewer SeaWatchman

Finally opened this guy up. 2006 750ml bottling, so going on 8 years in the bottle. I bought the bottle in 2011, and cellaring conditions beforehand must have been great because this was delicious (and carbed!).

Synthetic cork, poured with a bit of head. Light yet zingy carbonation on the tongue. Plenty of citrus and mineral (we're talking 3F here) with mild acidity and some pleasant bretty gameyness. Mellow and very tasty. I'm very happy with the way this bottle turned out.

Did you order online or buy off he shelf in the states?

 

[DmouthCaliBrewz]

While we're on the subject of vintage 3F, anybody open an '06 OGV recently? Or have any speculation on how it might be doin? I want to sit on it for longer, but dont know if that's the best call. In my experience the ogvs do well with time, but I've never had one this old.

 

[tehzachatak]

Rowingbrewer SeaWatchman

Finally opened this guy up. 2006 750ml bottling, so going on 8 years in the bottle. I bought the bottle in 2011, and cellaring conditions beforehand must have been great because this was delicious (and carbed!).

Synthetic cork, poured with a bit of head. Light yet zingy carbonation on the tongue. Plenty of citrus and mineral (we're talking 3F here) with mild acidity and some pleasant bretty gameyness. Mellow and very tasty. I'm very happy with the way this bottle turned out.

Carbed? Sheeeeit. I am jelly. Mine was great but not carbed. Need moar...

 

[Treebs]

What's everyone's thoughts on aged St. Lam? I've only had 'em with 1-2 years on it and I've got an '08 in transit right now. Really interested to see if I should continue to sit on and enjoy fresher St. Lam or I should pop that guy open soon and sit on the rest of my St. Lam.

 

[Rowingbrewer1]

What's everyone's thoughts on aged St. Lam? I've only had 'em with 1-2 years on it and I've got an '08 in transit right now. Really interested to see if I should continue to sit on and enjoy fresher St. Lam or I should pop that guy open soon and sit on the rest of my St. Lam.

I really don't have enough data to go on, but I have had a 4 or 5 year old bottle once, and preferred the 1 year old bottle over it. but that was my experience

 

[stupac2]

What's everyone's thoughts on aged St. Lam? I've only had 'em with 1-2 years on it and I've got an '08 in transit right now. Really interested to see if I should continue to sit on and enjoy fresher St. Lam or I should pop that guy open soon and sit on the rest of my St. Lam.

I think Arbitrator and others did a huge vertical recently.

 

[SeaWatchman]

Rowingbrewer SeaWatchman

Finally opened this guy up. 2006 750ml bottling, so going on 8 years in the bottle. I bought the bottle in 2011, and cellaring conditions beforehand must have been great because this was delicious (and carbed!).

Synthetic cork, poured with a bit of head. Light yet zingy carbonation on the tongue. Plenty of citrus and mineral (we're talking 3F here) with mild acidity and some pleasant bretty gameyness. Mellow and very tasty. I'm very happy with the way this bottle turned out.

Nice. I love this beer in all of its forms.

 

[SeaWatchman]

What's everyone's thoughts on aged St. Lam? I've only had 'em with 1-2 years on it and I've got an '08 in transit right now. Really interested to see if I should continue to sit on and enjoy fresher St. Lam or I should pop that guy open soon and sit on the rest of my St. Lam.

Forgetfu , jedwards , and I put together a tasting with 2003, 2004, 2005, 2012 and maybe one other one (2010?) and they were all amazing in their own way. The 2005s are drinking absolutely fantastically right now. I like this one with a bit of age on it as well as fresh. I think it becomes a lot softer as it ages and somewhere around 2-3 years the fruit really ripens.

 

[drgarage1]

I think Arbitrator and others did a huge vertical recently.

And I think bird22 and some friends did a huge tasting a bit ago, as well. Not sure if we're talking about the same one, but I think they had at least 10 vintages...

 

[stupac2]

And I think bird22 and some friends did a huge tasting a bit ago, as well. Not sure if we're talking about the same one, but I think they had at least 10 vintages...

Same one. I just didn't want to tag everyone I thought was in it, I figured Arbitrator could do that.

 

[callmemickey]

Getting caught up on a few things:

(1) 3F OGV is indeed select batches that were held back by Armand before releasing. While they are in theory "better" than the regular OG offering, it's really just a question of personal preference. I've had plenty of regular OG batches that were better than OGV batches. One thing people constantly forget/ignore is that each year there are typically multiple bottling dates of both OG and OGV--when someone says that they had a 2005 OGV that was underwhelming, keep in mind that there were (at least) six distinct bottlings that year. Oh, and bottle variation/cellaring conditions can be a bitch.

(2) As for old Iris--it's awesome. Some people will say aging it defeats the purpose since it mutes the fresh hops, but I like the softness that develops with time. Recently opened a 2008 that was stellar. Developed a really nice lambic-saison hybrid profile.

(3) Aged St. Lamvinus--also awesome as the grapes start to develop. I think there is no coincidence that this beer improves after a few years maturation given that some age is typically necessary to get the most out of wines that use the same grapes (Cab. Sauv./Merlot/Etc.). I also think that the 2005 vintage has been generally exceptional new to old. Finally, keep in mind that the grape varietals has changed over time--contributing different notes--and the barrels are not always the same (for example, 2003 had some bottles aged in spent Port barrels). That said, this beer is also amazing fresh. One of my favorites.

 

[callmemickey]

Recently opened a 2008 that was stellar.

That should be a 1998 that was stellar.