Lambic Discussion Thread

[LukeAleTime]

What was it the La Folie lady said about not being able to improve Armand's blends by aging? That you can't improve the blends and that they're as good as they're going to get or something like that?



That's what some of the labels said on the bottles I got. That they can develop for quite a while if store properly. I figured I'd taste a few before deciding if they're worth setting back.

Ah, that's who it was. I got in some dumb argument once about gueze blending and couldn't find her quote anywhere

She also decided to pasteurize all New Belgium sours, though, so I'm pretty sure her word isn't gospel here.

Rodenbach is pasteurized...

 

[PurityControl88]

I'd kill to have a window into the future.




No seriously, tell me who to kill to acquire such sorcery.



IN.

I think you'd have to go swim in one of those La Folie foeders and consult a bible.

 

[PurityControl88]

She also decided to pasteurize all New Belgium sours, though, so I'm pretty sure her word isn't gospel here.

Yeah, you're probably right. Just something I remembered.

 

[drgarage1]

Ah, that's who it was. I got in some dumb argument once about gueze blending and couldn't find her quote anywhere



Rodenbach is pasteurized...

That doesn't mean every Flanders Red should be.

 

[LukeAleTime]

That doesn't mean every Flanders Red should be.

Of course not - just pointing out that it isn't a big no-no. Loads of Belgians do it.

 

[drgarage1]

Of course not - just pointing out that it isn't a big no-no. Loads of Belgians do it.

Absolutely. It's just that La Folie was so much better when it could age...

 

[LukeAleTime]

Absolutely. It's just that La Folie was so much better when it could age...

ah ok - missed the point of the post.

 

[jedwards]

Absolutely. It's just that La Folie was so much better when it could age...

As an aside... I've been fortunate enough to be a part of at least four blind side-by-sides of both the c&c and capped 2009 La Folie, and no one has been able to tell the difference thus far. I think most of the aging qualities of La Folie (and most sour reds) are more due to oxidative rather than active microbial processes. Very-long-term aging might be more impacted.

 

[Dsal891]

As an aside... I've been fortunate enough to be a part of at least four blind side-by-sides of both the c&c and capped 2009 La Folie, and no one has been able to tell the difference thus far. I think most of the aging qualities of La Folie (and most sour reds) are more due to oxidative rather than active microbial processes. Very-long-term aging might be more impacted.

For what its worth, I had a 2009 rodenbach grand cru and thought it was amazing and had a huge lactic sourness to it. Then I had a more fresh ( year or less since it was bottled) and I thought it was just meh. Kind of verging on vinegar and sweet lemon.


In short, after hearing that rodenbach is so pasteurized (or did I read wrong?) I think I'll try luck and lose a bottle of la folie in the cellar

 

[ASUBeer]

I just scored my first bottle, wasn't sure if I should drink it with just a few months on it or wait a few more until it's about a year old. I might just pop it open once it gets warmer.

Drink it now and then etregourmet.com

Then tell your bank account that I'm sorry.

 

[LukeAleTime]

For what its worth, I had a 2009 rodenbach grand cru and thought it was amazing and had a huge lactic sourness to it. Then I had a more fresh ( year or less since it was bottled) and I thought it was just meh. Kind of verging on vinegar and sweet lemon.


In short, after hearing that rodenbach is so pasteurized (or did I read wrong?) I think I'll try luck and lose a bottle of la folie in the cellar

Vintages aren't as far as I know.

 

[Michigan1]

We need to stop talking about sour brown ales and Flander's styles. This is the Lambic thread and SeaWatchman is getting pissed!

 

[SeaWatchman]

We need to stop talking about sour brown ales and Flander's styles. This is the Lambic thread and SeaWatchman is getting pissed!

NO. MORE. FLANDERRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

 

[Chest Rockwell]

 

[PurityControl88]

Drink it now and then etregourmet.com

Then tell your bank account that I'm sorry.

Don't tempt me bro!

 

[ASUBeer]

Don't tempt me bro!

Honestly, drinking my first Cantillon Classic is one of my most memorable beer drinking experiences. I would not recommend waiting. There is plenty of Cantillon out there to acquire and age.

 

[eyesonsaison]

Got this third result down:

http://belgiuminabox.com/blog/2014/02/mort-subite-oude-kriek-2005/

A little late to report, but this was really nice. Reminded me of a Cantillon kriek about 1-2 years after bottling, I'd agree that cellaring conditions must have been great. Maybe not one to actively seek out, but I might order a few bottles given the opportunity.

 

[PurityControl88]

Honestly, drinking my first Cantillon Classic is one of my most memorable beer drinking experiences. I would not recommend waiting. There is plenty of Cantillon out there to acquire and age.

That's a great point, might start digging into the stash this weekend!

 

[ASUBeer]

Anyone have an 07 or 08 (sticker) Lou Pepe Kriek recently? If so, thoughts?

 

[stupac2]

Anyone have an 07 or 08 (sticker) Lou Pepe Kriek recently? If so, thoughts?

Had an 08 recently, it was good, as always. I don't think that one changes too drastically after only a year or two.

 

[JohnfromPurdue]

I was wondering if anybody can tell me anything about De Neve Gueuze. I recently received an unlabeled, green glass, corked and caged bottle. My friend who sent it told me it is a 1991 De Neve. I can find very little info about this beer. It has a few reviews over on the other site that are pretty good. Any info would be appreciated.

http://shop.mikkeller.dk/shop/beer/belle-vue-fond-gueuze-1989/

This gives an explanation of where these unlabeled bottles are coming from. I've had the '91 and still have another in the cellar. I thought it held up well. The cork was a little crumbly but not too bad. It's only downfall was that we tasted it next to the whole Armand'4 series. It is definitely worth trying if you can get your hands on it.

 

[drgarage1]

http://shop.mikkeller.dk/shop/beer/belle-vue-fond-gueuze-1989/

This gives an explanation of where these unlabeled bottles are coming from. I've had the '91 and still have another in the cellar. I thought it held up well. The cork was a little crumbly but not too bad. It's only downfall was that we tasted it next to the whole Armand'4 series. It is definitely worth trying if you can get your hands on it.

I am fascinated by the Goosens lambic, as the aging time listed is 5 years. Does this suggest it includes some older than 3-year lambic in there? Or was it just left to age blended for two years prior to bottling?

Also: They've got bottles of Pride and Joy and Gumballhead for more than $8 each! SWEET!

 

[snowrs1]

This may have been asked before, but I am looking to put back some 3F Gueze and was wondering if bottle volume makes a difference?

 

[stupac2]

This may have been asked before, but I am looking to put back some 3F Gueze and was wondering if bottle volume makes a difference?

The traditional answer is that bigger bottles age "better", but most of the rationales I've heard for this don't really make sense, and it's not clear what "better" would even mean in this context. (Gets to the same spot faster? More oxidation? Less oxidation? Who knows?)

I think that, with the state of the current evidence, the only things we can say for certain are that two different sized bottles aged for the same amount of time will:

1) Age pretty much the same (ie whatever differences there are between them are small);
2) Contain different amount of liquid.

Given that, I'd just age whichever size you prefer to drink, or is easier for you to store.

EDIT: Actually, I think the most important thing here is batch variation. Little and big bottles of 3F are typically different batches (I think, anyway, they're definitely usually bottled on different days), so they'll taste a little different even if they're very close in age. This is probably a bigger effect than any aging difference in the size, so is something to consider too.

 

[Rowingbrewer1]

This may have been asked before, but I am looking to put back some 3F Gueze and was wondering if bottle volume makes a difference?

age some of each

 

[snowrs1]

age some of each

I am doing this, but I was looking to buy cases and buying and storing cases of each size becomes problematic.

And thanks stupac2

 

[SeaWatchman]

I am doing this, but I was looking to buy cases and buying and storing cases of each size becomes problematic.

And thanks stupac2

Get a bigger storage area?

 

[matedog]

Saw this posted on the Cantillon fb page:

What is the bottle on the right?

 

[drgarage1]

Saw this posted on the Cantillon fb page:

What is the bottle on the right?

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/cantillon-lh12/124482/

 

[Rowingbrewer1]

Saw this posted on the Cantillon fb page:

What is the bottle on the right?

LH12