Lambic Discussion Thread

[user 306809]

Shelton has DF/Cantillon exclusive US lockdown, correct? Dead end.

Etre is the only online service I've come across with pricing I'm willing to support. Not sure they can offer guarantee of delivery for that quantity. More curious of anybody has a discreet fail-proof method of procuring such quantity stateside.

SeaWatchman

 

[Rowingbrewer1]

SeaWatchman

callmemickey
Forgetfu
Don't forget these guys

 

[stupac2]

Shelton has DF/Cantillon exclusive US lockdown, correct? Dead end.

Etre is the only online service I've come across with pricing I'm willing to support. Not sure they can offer guarantee of delivery for that quantity. More curious of anybody has a discreet fail-proof method of procuring such quantity stateside.

Etre doesn't offer a guarantee of getting anything to your door. They refunded me a package that got lost, but I think that one actually got physically lost by them or BPost. I think they're less likely to do that when there are customs issues.

Problem is Shelton almost certainly has exclusive import agreements with Cantillon/3F. As such, there is no way Shelton lets you buy 400 bottles at Belgian prices without giving them the percentage take they receive on their regular imports. Otherwise, they would get approached by bars throughout the country seeking to buy Cantillon/3F in bulk.

Well, yes, you'd need to pay them. Also I think that they'd have contracts with 3F and Cantillon themselves, so other importers could still help you out with bringing a ton of stuff in. Maybe. It'd be expensive either way, is my guess.

Oh, OP, another option is to (ab)use military post. I believe they can legally ship booze, so if you have a servicemember friend stationed overseas (Germany is probably ideal) then you ship to them, have them ship it to the states. But that would be a PITA and may not work in quantity.

 

[Rowingbrewer1]

Getting that stateside in cantillon is near impossible. But if you don't mind the huge retail markup 3f could be done in massachusetts. Lots of golden blend intense red sitting as well as a fair amount of Kriek and og

 

[cry me]

There are bars and restaurants in the US that serve 3F. Are they buying it one bottle at a time?

No, they are buying it from their distributors that carry the Shelton Bros portfolio.

 

[drbenzo1]

That would probably be the way to do it. Go to whoever the closest importer is, show them the cabbage, and see if they bite.

 

[callmemickey]

Exclusive imports for that sold from the breweries at wholesale. If he were to buy from a retailer, or a private cellar of a deceased individual, a licensed importer should have no trouble getting it through customs and to his door. Not to say it would be cheap or easy

I guess my point is, why would Shelton help you out if it wasn't financially worth their while when you would be importing a product they specifically sell (and make money off of). Alternatively, if you went through another licensed importer, I doubt it would be easy to procure 400 bottles of lambic at a good enough price to make it worth while.

 

[drbenzo1]

Assuming my box makes it past customs, I will be the proud owner of one of these Belle Vue Gueuze's. It has a best by 1989. Are any of you kind folks familiar with this old of a gueuze? I plan to open it with some friends that have similar interests in Lambics. I am receiving this from my trade partner in the Netherlands. He says the bottles were found in the basement of a farm in Belgium by his friend. So, who knows how the "cellering" went...
It should be a fun experience...

 

[user 306809]

I guess my point is, why would they help you out if it wasn't financially worth their while when you would be importing a product they specifically sell (and make money off of).

I think we're all assuming he would make it 'financially worth their while.'

 

[callmemickey]

I think we're all assuming he would make it 'financially worth their while.'

Which then makes it not financially worth his own while

 

[oilcan1]

Getting that stateside in cantillon is near impossible. But if you don't mind the huge retail markup 3f could be done in massachusetts. Lots of golden blend intense red sitting as well as a fair amount of Kriek and og

Strictly seeking straight up geuze, nothing else. Are you aware of 50-100+ OG 750ml bottles I can currently round up in a particular sector of mass? Preferably 10+ bottles per location as necessary. Drop me a message if so.

 

[stupac2]

Assuming my box makes it past customs, I will be the proud owner of one of these Belle Vue Gueuze's. It has a best by 1989. Are any of you kind folks familiar with this old of a gueuze? I plan to open it with some friends that have similar interests in Lambics. I am receiving this from my trade partner in the Netherlands. He says the bottles were found in the basement of a farm in Belgium by his friend. So, who knows how the "cellering" went...
It should be a fun experience...

The Belle-Vue Selection lambic is pretty well regarded (the one I remember having was good but sour as ****), however I have no idea if this is that. Some of the lower-quality lambics of that age are pretty terrible, just oxidized messes.

 

[callmemickey]

The Belle-Vue Selection lambic is pretty well regarded (the one I remember having was good but sour as ****), however I have no idea if this is that. Some of the lower-quality lambics of that age are pretty terrible, just oxidized messes.

Those are the regular Belle-Vue Gueuze, likely early 80s (might be able to tell based on the bottom white dating strip--although it looks pretty rough), back before Belle-Vue was purchased by Interbrew (precursor to AB-InBev). I am fairly certain that Belle-Vue of that era was sweetened and filtered... likely heavily oxidized.

 

[sacrelicio]

Seriously.... Girardin Black easily top 3 and often as good or better than 3F.

Discuss.

Yeah I cross post, big whoop, wanna fight about it?

That **** rules. Can't say better than 3F, but it was better that the Cantillon Bio we had the same night.

 

[SeaWatchman]

Strictly seeking straight up geuze, nothing else. Are you aware of 50-100+ OG 750ml bottles I can currently round up in a particular sector of mass? Preferably 10+ bottles per location as necessary. Drop me a message if so.

I'm not sure why you're trying to do this to be honest. For one, I highly doubt you could walk up to any brewery and ask for the number of bottles you're asking for because they don't have that kind of quantity for sale. And even if they did have them, I'm not sure they would want to sell them to one person like that... Cantillon especially. These brewers are well aware of what their bottles are "worth" to some people, and what you're proposing doesn't really come off as acquiring these for personal reasons.

As far as an importer helping you out... not a chance. Why would they? You're literally trying to bypass them, take a large amount of their alottment, and not pay their markup. If you could somehow get the bottles and convince an importer to help you would likely be paying their retail markup. I have known an importer or two in the states to help someone out with a special keg or a few bottles for a special event (charity, wedding, etc) but nothing more.

Also, and this is just me being a dick, if I knew of the quantity you're looking for in your state I sure wouldn't tell you because I want my own.

 

[oilcan1]

I'm not sure why you're trying to do this to be honest. For one, I highly doubt you could walk up to any brewery and ask for the number of bottles you're asking for because they don't have that kind of quantity for sale. And even if they did have them, I'm not sure they would want to sell them to one person like that... Cantillon especially. These brewers are well aware of what their bottles are "worth" to some people, and what you're proposing doesn't really come off as acquiring these for personal reasons.

As far as an importer helping you out... not a chance. Why would they? You're literally trying to bypass them, take a large amount of their alottment, and not pay their markup. If you could somehow get the bottles and convince an importer to help you would likely be paying their retail markup. I have known an importer or two in the states to help someone out with a special keg or a few bottles for a special event (charity, wedding, etc) but nothing more.

Also, and this is just me being a dick, if I knew of the quantity you're looking for in your state, I sure wouldn't tell you because I want my own.

Ok dude, I'm sorry you felt compelled to write that horseshit, toodles bruh.

 

[MordorMongo]

I'm not sure why you're trying to do this to be honest. For one, I highly doubt you could walk up to any brewery and ask for the number of bottles you're asking for because they don't have that kind of quantity for sale. And even if they did have them, I'm not sure they would want to sell them to one person like that... Cantillon especially. These brewers are well aware of what their bottles are "worth" to some people, and what you're proposing doesn't really come off as acquiring these for personal reasons.

As far as an importer helping you out... not a chance. Why would they? You're literally trying to bypass them, take a large amount of their alottment, and not pay their markup. If you could somehow get the bottles and convince an importer to help you would likely be paying their retail markup. I have known an importer or two in the states to help someone out with a special keg or a few bottles for a special event (charity, wedding, etc) but nothing more.

Also, and this is just me being a dick, if I knew of the quantity you're looking for in your state, I sure wouldn't tell you because I want my own.

Whoreder.

 

[SeaWatchman]

Ok dude, I'm sorry you felt compelled to write that horseshit, toodles bruh.

Be sure to post your pic in the "hauls" thread.... bruh.

 

[MordorMongo]

Ok dude, I'm sorry you felt compelled to write that horseshit, toodles bruh.

I know this is as awkward as Lorde's spastic dancing to hear, but a lot of what he says is truth. Just saying. Don't hate me.

 

[ASUBeer]

Strictly seeking straight up geuze, nothing else. Are you aware of 50-100+ OG 750ml bottles I can currently round up in a particular sector of mass? Preferably 10+ bottles per location as necessary. Drop me a message if so.

Why are you trying to hoard so much Gueze at once of one vintage?

If you're trying to build a cellar, build it slowly, try a bunch of different Lambics, different vintages, and find different brewers you like and build a diverse cellar.

I love 3F Gueze but can't even wrap my head around what you are trying to accomplish. Just seems greedy without a vision.

 

[oilcan1]

I know this is as awkward as Lorde's spastic dancing to hear, but a lot of what he says is truth. Just saying. Don't hate me.

Wait, this just got all types of kooky. I don't have the time+energy to engage anybody who takes a negative approach to my simple inquiry about purchasing a large quantity of beer I like to drink and age and drink more of, sincere thanks to those who offered opinion without the extra BS.

 

[ASUBeer]

Wait, this just got all types of kooky. I don't have the time+energy to engage anybody who takes a negative approach to my simple inquiry about purchasing a large quantity of beer I like to drink and age and drink more of, sincere thanks to those who offered opinion without the extra BS.

Buy 11 750s from etre every month for the next 3 years.

Hooray. Sunshine. Rainbows. Good luck.

 

[SeaWatchman]

Wait, this just got all types of kooky. I don't have the time+energy to engage anybody who takes a negative approach to my simple inquiry about purchasing a large quantity of beer I like to drink and age and drink more of, sincere thanks to those who offered opinion without the extra BS.

Apart from me telling you that I wouldn't tell you where all the waelz are nothing I said is ********. You're looking for instant gratification and it's just not going to happen unless you put in multiple order to the Belgian sites.

Edt: What ASUBeer said. Have at it, guy.

 

[MordorMongo]

Wait, this just got all types of kooky. I don't have the time+energy to engage anybody who takes a negative approach to my simple inquiry about purchasing a large quantity of beer I like to drink and age and drink more of, sincere thanks to those who offered opinion without the extra BS.

I wasn't negative at all sir, merely pointing out that when it comes to all things lambic SeaWatchman is about as close to an authority as you will find, especially when talking about bulk purchases.


Cheers!

 

[GetchaPull]

Oh, OP, another option is to (ab)use military post. I believe they can legally ship booze, so if you have a servicemember friend stationed overseas (Germany is probably ideal) then you ship to them, have them ship it to the states. But that would be a PITA and may not work in quantity.

Unfortunately, unless something recently changed, this is not true. Until September 2011, personal cellars (both wine and beer) could be shipped only when moving back to the States, with state and federal tariffs applied where applicable. No interim shipping solution exists since the military postal service is controlled by USPS and its rules. Currently, the cellar move authorization only applies to wine up to a certain bottle count (forget the exact number since I'm not a wino but definitely less than 100) when moving back to the US and its total weight counts against a person's household weight allowance. The rationale provided for beer being taken off the authorized list is that (most) beer is carbonated and poses a shipping risk (by cargo ship!? WTF ever.). Personally packed luggage is best bet there and be honest with customs at the port. Larger cellars that could not be moved via luggage would require an individual to contract a private company for the move...an out-of-pocket expense.

Liquor is a different animal altogether. Uncle Sam wants his house rake on anything over 40% ABV.

 

[drbenzo1]

Those are the regular Belle-Vue Gueuze, likely early 80s (might be able to tell based on the bottom white dating strip--although it looks pretty rough), back before Belle-Vue was purchased by Interbrew (precursor to AB-InBev). I am fairly certain that Belle-Vue of that era was sweetened and filtered... likely heavily oxidized.

The Belle-Vue Selection lambic is pretty well regarded (the one I remember having was good but sour as ****), however I have no idea if this is that. Some of the lower-quality lambics of that age are pretty terrible, just oxidized messes.

I will report back as soon as I open, but how am I to be sure of the sweetened business?

 

[stupac2]

I will report back as soon as I open, but how am I to be sure of the sweetened business?

You'll know it as soon as you taste it. If you've never had an old, oxidized beer before, it'll be very difficult to describe. But if that's it, you'll just know.

 

[drbenzo1]

You'll know it as soon as you taste it. If you've never had an old, oxidized beer before, it'll be very difficult to describe. But if that's it, you'll just know.

I have had oxidized, but not that old... Thanks!

 

[RyanG1]

So, finally had my first 3F OG from my local shop that has the 375ml priced what seems reasonable around $12.

Is the Golden Blend 375ml worth trying at $21?

 

[Lefty Hyzer]

So, finally had my first 3F OG from my local shop that has the 375ml priced what seems reasonable around $12.

Is the Golden Blend 375ml worth trying at $21?

$21??? That's pretty cheap. I love Golden Blend. Would buy 100 bottles at that price no problem.