Lambic Discussion Thread

[SeaWatchman]

Does anyone know the story behind the Lindemann Cuvee Rene? Who blends it? I'm assuming this is blended from the same lambic/wort that Armand/Pierre Tilquin use in their gueuzes? Is there anything different?

Well it's all Lindemans wort presumably matured and blended in-house. I can't imagine it's any different then the wort initially sent to all of the blenders but... barrels man, barrels.

 

[csano]

Well it's all Lindemans wort presumably matured and blended in-house. I can't imagine it's any different then the wort initially sent to all of the blenders but... barrels man, barrels.

It's been forever since I've had the Cuvee Rene. Does it get any barrel treatment or does it sit in steel its whole life?

 

[tehzachatak]

It's been forever since I've had the Cuvee Rene. Does it get any barrel treatment or does it sit in steel its whole life?

Doesn't lambic, by definition, have to be matured in oak?

 

[doobiegoobie]

My parents live in Kobe so I was in Osaka last winter and scored plenty of lambic. There is a spot called ohtsuki (sp is off) that is her best bet. They had all the shelf loons but nothing too crazy. I spoke with the author of craft beer in Japan and he said the beer and lambic scene is blowing up so it'd be hard to find the nonshelf stuff. Ohtsuki is easily accessible by train. Another spot is called craft beer bar (I think) and is easier to get to (right near the main train station) but doesn't have the loon selection. Regardless, solid lambic shouldn't be too hard for her to find! Let me know if you have any other questions.

pharts So I ****** up and the name of the easy to get to place is craft beer base (confusing bc there is a craft beer bar too) and is walkable from the Osaka train station. I'd still have her go to ohtsuki though (http://www.ratebeer.com/p/ohtsuki-saketen-osaka/13059/). One train ride away from Osaka train station and a short walk in a badass little town and you're at the best lambic and sake joint in Osaka. Cheers!

 

[doobiegoobie]

Does anyone know the story behind the Lindemann Cuvee Rene? Who blends it? I'm assuming this is blended from the same lambic/wort that Armand/Pierre Tilquin use in their gueuzes? Is there anything different?

Anyone know if there is any truth to the story that Rene is what they use to blend and do all their ****** treatments with, but Michael Jackson was at the brewery and told them it was so good that they needed to bottle it?

 

[pharts]

pharts So I ****** up and the name of the easy to get to place is craft beer base (confusing bc there is a craft beer bar too) and is walkable from the Osaka train station. I'd still have her go to ohtsuki though (http://www.ratebeer.com/p/ohtsuki-saketen-osaka/13059/). One train ride away from Osaka train station and a short walk in a badass little town and you're at the best lambic and sake joint in Osaka. Cheers!

Thanks for the clarification. I am kicking myself for not perusing lambic the two times I've been there. So is life...

I'll pass on the info to her and see what she can scare up.

 

[drbenzo1]

Okay... Who has the best information on this bottle? I believe it says best by 1989. I am trying to figure out what year it was bottled and if it was back sweetened. GO!

If it says best by 1989, then what does that mean about the bottling date according to lambic breweries back then? Was it made 3, 5, or 10 years before? As far as I can tell the bottle could be from anytime before 1988 or so... I am inclined to guess that it is a 3 year best by date making it 1986... But i am just guessing now...

 

[drbenzo1]

I found a much better picture of a label in better condition than this one on this old ebay page...
http://www.befr.ebay.be/itm/OUDE-GU..._DefaultDomain_123&hash=item4d1fd0bcef&_uhb=1

 

[drbenzo1]

Also, Brokenleadedcask reviewed it back in 2011...
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/945/73729/

 

[Jspriest]

If it says best by 1989, then what does that mean about the bottling date according to lambic breweries back then? Was it made 3, 5, or 10 years before? As far as I can tell the bottle could be from anytime before 1988 or so... I am inclined to guess that it is a 3 year best by date making it 1986... But i am just guessing now...

I would guess it's a 10 year bottling date, so from 1979. I would also bet that it's sweetened, and that it is infinitely better than dontdrinkbeer's 1981 bottle.

At least you have that best before date to work with:



I think this was from the 50s, but information's pretty sparse. Was fun to drink something so old that wasn't abhorrent, but it's not likely to make you hurry off to go collect a bunch more.

 

[agold1]

I believe this was a '96 bottle:

Might have been agold's

It is and it was.

 

[drbenzo1]

I would guess it's a 10 year bottling date, so from 1979. I would also bet that it's sweetened, and that it is infinitely better than dontdrinkbeer's 1981 bottle.

At least you have that best before date to work with:



I think this was from the 50s, but information's pretty sparse. Was fun to drink something so old that wasn't abhorrent, but it's not likely to make you hurry off to go collect a bunch more.

It is hard to find reasoning on when a beer was bottled based on it's drink by date. I don't agree or disagree, but I have found little hard evidence about it being a 10 year bottling date or otherwise. However, after looking at labels of yours and dontdrinkbeer , I can make a good prediction that this bottle is from the 70's, and it seems that 1979 is as good a guess as any. I will report back in a week or so with tasting notes. Any more information people have would be great!

I have read numerous times that places like Westvleteren bottle date 3 years out. But, I have not read anything particular about general belgian breweries and their dating practices.

As far as your label goes, I have something interesting I found on it. http://www.taverntrove.com/items/Gueuze-Belle-Vue-Labels-Brouwerij-Belle-Vue_48608.php
Not a reputable source I suppose for bottle dating but a source non the less.

 

[drbenzo1]

this guy Jacques currently works for Belle-Vue and I messaged him
Also he wrote this, and I am about to read it...

 

[drbenzo1]

this guy Jacques currently works for Belle-Vue and I messaged him
Also he wrote this, and I am about to read it...

read it... and it's a nice easy read from 1996 I'd say...

 

[Compton25]

read it... and it's a nice easy read from 1996 I'd say...

Every time I think I know something about lambic.. here comes another read.

 

[PurityControl88]

read it... and it's a nice easy read from 1996 I'd say...

That was actually a great read. Thanks for sharing.

 

[SeaWatchman]

BELGIUM WINS!!! Suck it, America.

 

[drbenzo1]

Two things...

1. Has anyone read this? http://amzn.com/9020998765
2. I got my bottle and now have the label to my 1996 Cantillon Gueuze. It is all in english and says imported by Shelton Brothers on it. I wonder if this label was for imports only... Any thought?

 

[oilcan1]

Just wondering what kind of US retail pricing others are seeing for the latest Quetsche? Last yr local shops charged $30ish for the 750s, $15 for 375. This year I'm seeing $22/$12 advertised, no complaints just stumped on the price drop.

 

[tehzachatak]

Just wondering what kind of US retail pricing others are seeing for the latest Quetsche? Last yr local shops charged $30ish for the 750s, $15 for 375. This year I'm seeing $22/$12 advertised, no complaints just stumped on the price drop.

Woah. Will need to stock up around your parts! Quetsche 750s still as high as $35 some places here in mass.

 

[Envelopes]

Two things...

1. Has anyone read this? http://amzn.com/9020998765
2. I got my bottle and now have the label to my 1996 Cantillon Gueuze. It is all in english and says imported by Shelton Brothers on it. I wonder if this label was for imports only... Any thought?

A couple people back on page 85 were recommending that book.

Just wondering what kind of US retail pricing others are seeing for the latest Quetsche? Last yr local shops charged $30ish for the 750s, $15 for 375. This year I'm seeing $22/$12 advertised, no complaints just stumped on the price drop.

Man, we've been Tilquin dry for months. We never got any of the 2013/2014 neck and I'm worried something weird distro-wise happened. Haven't heard of any Quetsche yet, either but I'd gladly pay the $25/750 I paid last year.

 

[Rowingbrewer1]

Just wondering what kind of US retail pricing others are seeing for the latest Quetsche? Last yr local shops charged $30ish for the 750s, $15 for 375. This year I'm seeing $22/$12 advertised, no complaints just stumped on the price drop.

My guess is they looked at the price they paid for the gueuze on the invoice when doing their markups

 

[tehzachatak]

A couple people back on page 85 were recommending that book.



Man, we've been Tilquin dry for months. We never got any of the 2013/2014 neck and I'm worried something weird distro-wise happened. Haven't heard of any Quetsche yet, either but I'd gladly pay the $25/750 I paid last year.

Isn't 2013-2014 neck just going out? I don't think we've seen much if any in Boston yet.

 

[Envelopes]

Isn't 2013-2014 neck just going out? I don't think we've seen much if any in Boston yet.

I'm not sure of anything, just anxious to get more.

 

[SeaWatchman]

Two things...

1. Has anyone read this? http://amzn.com/9020998765
2. I got my bottle and now have the label to my 1996 Cantillon Gueuze. It is all in english and says imported by Shelton Brothers on it. I wonder if this label was for imports only... Any thought?

Like we said a few pages back, there are a ton of variations of this black label through the years and it was probably used for a time as the standard issue label all around. And yes, Gueuze and Kriek is a very good book.

 

[drbenzo1]

Like we said a few pages back, there are a ton of variations of this black label through the years and it was probably used for a time as the standard issue label all around. And yes, Gueuze and Kriek is a very good book.

I understand the variations on the label but I haven't read why the variations are used. I don't think it is a coincidence that this label is all in English and has a Distro by SB on the label given that is the first year SB started its company... I'm trying to figure out if that label was made just for SB? Do you have any info on that? I may email them. Does it say SB anywhere on the other labels?

 

[JBP]

Isn't 2013-2014 neck just going out? I don't think we've seen much if any in Boston yet.

Just hit Portland today. Heard from an industry buddy the store allocations are significantly smaller this year than last, at least in Maine. Not sure if that translates to nationwide. Picked some up at the following price points: 750 OG 19.99, 375 OG 10.99, 375 Quetsche 14.99. Happy hunting!

 

[Dsal891]

I used to see tilquin at a shop in Illinois I frequent. Haven't seen it in about 8 months.


**** even oud beersel is gone for when I need gueuze in a pinch.

 

[SeaWatchman]

I understand the variations on the label but I haven't read why the variations are used. I don't think it is a coincidence that this label is all in English and has a Distro by SB on the label given that is the first year SB started its company... I'm trying to figure out if that label was made just for SB? Do you have any info on that? I may email them. Does it say SB anywhere on the other labels?

Because they change the labels every so often, I guess. There are black labels that are all in French/Dutch too. Was the label made just for them? I suppose so in the sense that it was translated into English it was, but it's not some sort of special labeling or blend or anything. There are currently 11 documented variations (including nothing but a change in bottle size) of that kind of label.

 

[LukeAleTime]

Just opened a Herfst. Never seen a cork explode out of the bottle as quick. I uncaged, looked at it, saw it move then it hit my roof.

It's earthy and dank (not in the stupid modern hop sense but in actual meaning sense), definitely a 3F blend - nice lemon acidity, dry. Pretty fun.

My second bottle will see a few years before I open it i think.