Lambic Discussion Thread

[nathanmiller]

I would buy that autumn box without blinking.

 

[iong516]

De cam gooikoorts is 9 euro at the brewery

ISO

 

[Saind]

I would buy that autumn box without blinking.

And I'm going to, but only after complaining about it on the internet.

 

[SeaWatchman]

No, you're comparing the price of purchasing direct from manufacturer at their physical retail location to the price of buying a distributed retail product. It's not a reasonable comparison. No one who would be buying retail from the US would be buying direct from 3F without having to consider the additional shipping & handling costs.

I mean, I guess. It's not like you're buying 3F bottles at wholesale prices when you're at the Droom though. It's completely reasonable to say that even at 13 euro a bottle average in that box that it's way better prices than you'll ever see here in the US at retail for the box or for a single bottle. We're just looking at it from different angles, as I don't really factor in the cost of shipping and handling into those prices.

 

[Maakun]

€13/bottle average is priced pretty steep? I’d didagrre with that if you’re looking at retail prices stateside (if you could even find them)

I don't live in the US, but obviously all imported beer is probably going to be more expensive than at the source. At 13 euro average 3F is the most expensive lambic brewer, and it's way more than their stuff was a few years ago. Same with Cantillon, I think Foufoune was 8 euro only a few years ago. Now it's what, 13 too? Still a lot cheaper than the 3F specials though.

I still buy and drink lots of this stuff, but if you compare prices to other producers and to prices from 3 years ago I think "steep" is a fair characterization.

 

[Maakun]

I mean, I guess. It's not like you're buying 3F bottles at wholesale prices when you're at the Droom though.

Actually I think those are pretty close to wholesale. Same at De Cam and others.

 

[bostonvert]

Is there a limit on Gooikoorts?

He's in the business of selling beer so no, no limits! 5000 bottles, I'm dropping by tomorrow and I'll check how many are left

 

[rrryanc]

I don't really factor in the cost of shipping and handling into those prices.

Again, this is a ridiculous take, as there's no way to get a bottle to the US without shipping. Part of the retail markup in the US is the non trivial shipping and import taxes to get the beer there. You can't just hand wave that away like it doesn't exist.

Even if you happen to be in Belgium with free checked bags on a work paid trip (I've done this a few times), there's still an opportunity cost.

 

[SeaWatchman]

Again, this is a ridiculous take, as there's no way to get a bottle to the US without shipping. Part of the retail markup in the US is the non trivial shipping and import taxes to get the beer there. You can't just hand wave that away like it doesn't exist.

Even if you happen to be in Belgium with free checked bags on a work paid trip (I've done this a few times), there's still an opportunity cost.

You do you, man.

Retail is retail in my book. The rest is ancillary. That’s like asking someone to pay for your time and gas when you had to travel and wait in line for something.

 

[Gaseous Clay]

He's in the business of selling beer so no, no limits!

Shots fired!

 

[rrryanc]

You do you, man.

Retail is retail in my book. The rest is ancillary. That’s like asking someone to pay for your time and gas when you had to travel and wait in line for something.

They're nothing alike. . If I live in the US, I pay for shipping (included in the retail price, or directly paid for). If I don't live in the US I don't give a **** what US retail prices cost, so it's a useless comparison.

 

[SeaWatchman]

They're nothing alike. . If I live in the US, I pay for shipping (included in the retail price, or directly paid for). If I don't live in the US I don't give a **** what US retail prices cost, so it's a useless comparison.

K.

 

[GetchaPull]

 

[loldor]

Prices have gone up and 3F is now the most expensive producer when buying at the source.

Prices aside there’s definitely something that irks me with the 3F offerings of the past months. If the goal is to limit customers buying only one-offs, then I see the benefit of offering those one-offs in larger boxes. However, it seems that not only their one-offs are being sold solely through bundles. Sales of OG and (I think) CAG 75s seem to be limited to those same bundles.

For a customer who just wants to buy 3F OG, prices have most definitely gone up.

At the same time 3F is trying hard to upscale their products through packaging, specifying blends, fruit usage and cask finish. While its great to feel good about a product you’re buying, beer not just being beer seems not only to blame on beer bros in this instance.

I’m still buying that box though.

 

[Digita7693]

For years 3F was extremely underpriced, cantillon just a couple years ago selling seasonals at 7-9€ was also quite underpriced.

For those that love your free markets, supply, demand and market doing its dictating and all.

And they are both ridiculously cheaper than just about every American wild ale. I regularly see 375s in the US in the $20+ range.

 

[simont1]

For years 3F was extremely underpriced, cantillon just a couple years ago selling seasonals at 7-9€ was also quite underpriced.

For those that love your free markets, supply, demand and market doing its dictating and all.

And they are both ridiculously cheaper than just about every American wild ale. I regularly see 375s in the US in the $20+ range.

The $20+ for 375 is just price gouging though, the cost to make these beers are less than $1/L

 

[IndianaJones]

The $20+ for 375 is just price gouging though, the cost to make these beers are less than $1/L

Source?

 

[simont1]

Source?

Malt price is around 400-500€/1000kg, raw wheat 300-400€/ton noble hops 6-8€/kg, taking cantillons recipe of 850kg malt + 450kg raw wheat, and 20 kg hops for 7500L wort you're looking at around 750€ for 7500L lambic wort in raw material

 

[stupac2]

Malt price is around 400-500€/1000kg, raw wheat 300-400€/ton noble hops 6-8€/kg, taking cantillons recipe of 850kg malt + 450kg raw wheat, and 20 kg hops for 7500L wort you're looking at around 750€ for 7500L lambic wort in raw material

Sure, but things like labor and rent costs are usually more than the raw ingredients anyway.

 

[deckardjk]

Malt price is around 400-500€/1000kg, raw wheat 300-400€/ton noble hops 6-8€/kg, taking cantillons recipe of 850kg malt + 450kg raw wheat, and 20 kg hops for 7500L wort you're looking at around 750€ for 7500L lambic wort in raw material

Clearly $20 for a 375 isn't cheap... but what you list is just the price of ingredients.

There is labor (everyone from the brewer to the mopper), heavy glass bottles, labels, corks, cages, packaging. Consider most of this (methode?) lambic is sitting around in a warehouse for 1-5 whole years between barrel/foeder and bottle. Taxes, permits, utility bills.

 

[simont1]

Sure, but things like labor and rent costs are usually more than the raw ingredients anyway.

yes of course, those things especially rise up if it's a smaller production, and no matter what if you're selling unfruited sour beer for $20 a 375 you're making very huge profits, for a large brewery, like new belgium or boulevard, i very much doubt the profit margins on some of their sour beer isn't in the 1000% range

 

[BadJustin]

yes of course, those things especially rise up if it's a smaller production, and no matter what if you're selling unfruited sour beer for $20 a 375 you're making very huge profits, for a large brewery, like new belgium or boulevard, i very much doubt the profit margins on some of their sour beer isn't in the 1000% range

Well Boulevard is owned by Duvel/Moorgat so I would imagine for them specifically, it's pretty damn close.

 

[wuntrikpony]

My phone just autocorrected lambic to Lamvinus. Not sure what to make of that.

 

[stupac2]

yes of course, those things especially rise up if it's a smaller production, and no matter what if you're selling unfruited sour beer for $20 a 375 you're making very huge profits, for a large brewery, like new belgium or boulevard, i very much doubt the profit margins on some of their sour beer isn't in the 1000% range

I try not to get too riled up about brewers selling beer for prices people are clearly willing to pay. If people are willing to pay it, who cares? If they're not, the price will come down. It's not like sour beer is something anyone needs.

 

[falc0n26001]

I try not to get too riled up about brewers selling beer for prices people are clearly willing to pay. If people are willing to pay it, who cares? If they're not, the price will come down. It's not like sour beer is something anyone needs.

As a non-rich person, I care! However, I do have rich friends (and customers at the bar I work at) who enjoy sharing, so it's okay. And it's true, Cascade and Ale Apothecary have lowered their prices recently.

 

[stupac2]

As a non-rich person, I care! However, I do have rich friends (and customers at the bar I work at) who enjoy sharing, so it's okay. And it's true, Cascade and Ale Apothecary have lowered their prices recently.

Well, right, if you think the beer isn't worth that price, then what difference does it make to not drink it? There's plenty more beer out there.

 

[LukeAleTime]

this box review and finance debate thread is dumb.

 

[Gaseous Clay]

this box review and finance debate thread is dumb.

Do you store your box reviews and finance debates on their side or vertical?

 

[tosh1]

I drank this.

 

[BadJustin]

Day 14: I long for times when boxes from overseas would arrive in <5 days or so. Now, it seems like an eternity, the slow march towards death into the abyss. Where for art thou BE Post? Is it languishing in a shipping container stateside or did it befall a worse fate? Did a customs employee get schnockered on '18 Fou this weekend and funnel LPF? I certainly hope not. I guess time will tell, until then I shall resume the daily F5'ing of the USPS website. Godspeed ye old box o lambic, godspeed.