Lambic Discussion Thread

[BusinessSloth]

They care. My Etre boxes were refused entry by the USPS. Etre provided photos showing nothing was broken and customs stamped it "Return to Sender."

I've only had 1 box sent back to Etre. USPS stated there was an issue with the shipping label address. Etre provided me photos that clearly disproved USPS, and made me repay shipping on the box since it wasn't any fault on their part. I paid it and the box made it through 2nd time around. Customs and USPS are just odd beasts. Sometimes picking on random boxes.

I'm probably going to get hit with something here as I have 5 boxes currently enroute from belgium. 1 was shipped on a saturday and seems to have not updated in a while. The 2nd was shipped monday and seems to be awaiting clearance from customs. The rest all appear to be still in the process of being hauled off to JFK.

 

[stupac2]

I've only had 1 box sent back to Etre. USPS stated there was an issue with the shipping label address. Etre provided me photos that clearly disproved USPS, and made me repay shipping on the box since it wasn't any fault on their part. I paid it and the box made it through 2nd time around. Customs and USPS are just odd beasts. Sometimes picking on random boxes.

I'm probably going to get hit with something here as I have 5 boxes currently enroute from belgium. 1 was shipped on a saturday and seems to have not updated in a while. The 2nd was shipped monday and seems to be awaiting clearance from customs. The rest all appear to be still in the process of being hauled off to JFK.

FIVE boxes? What the **** are you even getting in that haul?

 

[BusinessSloth]

FIVE boxes? What the **** are you even getting in that haul?

2 are full etre boxes of mostly HORAL mega blends, 3F Oude Geuze, and some Fantome De Tous les Diapes. Then 3 special order boxes that I split with another person. Those are 5 bottles in each box, so 15 bottles total.

 

[Aaron from the Wood]

Has anyone had success/failure receiving boxes from Belgian shops in in Massachusetts? I have a box from Etre scheduled to ship in March and I was wondering if it would be prudent to have it shipped to my parents' address in VT where beer shipments are legal. It sounds like there's no real way to know how to expect customs to act?

 

[BusinessSloth]

Has anyone had success/failure receiving boxes from Belgian shops in in Massachusetts? I have a box from Etre scheduled to ship in March and I was wondering if it would be prudent to have it shipped to my parents' address in VT where beer shipments are legal. It sounds like there's no real way to know how to expect customs to act?

Again, as SeaWatchman noted above, the boxes are delivered by USPS. USPS does not allow ANY alcohol at this time. Therefore it is always a grey/black area regardless of your state's law. Use whatever address is most convenient for you. There is always a chance customs or USPS catches on and sends the box back. I've only had 1 sent back out of an untold number that made it through.

 

[cosmicevan]

At least USPS is nice enough to refuse it. FedEx and UPS on the other hand, "destroy" them.

i believe the kids say "crushed" and "crushable" these days.

 

[Pneill3161]

i believe the kids say "crushed" and "crushable" these days.

I prefer "dominate", but that might just a local thing.

 

[Rowingbrewer1]

Has anyone had success/failure receiving boxes from Belgian shops in in Massachusetts? I have a box from Etre scheduled to ship in March and I was wondering if it would be prudent to have it shipped to my parents' address in VT where beer shipments are legal. It sounds like there's no real way to know how to expect customs to act?

All 10ish of the boxes I have ordered arrived safe in mass

 

[ineedbeer1]

I just had another box get caught up in LAX Customs and another buddy just reported he has one caught up as well. LAX really seems to be cracking down on this as it was never an issue for em prior to December 2014.

Has anyone tried reaching out to LAX to see if they can pick their box(es) up rather than having them returned to the sender?

 

[SeaWatchman]

I just had another box get caught up in LAX Customs and another buddy just reported he has one caught up as well. LAX really seems to be cracking down on this as it was never an issue for em prior to December 2014.

Has anyone tried reaching out to LAX to see if they can pick their box(es) up rather than having them returned to the sender?

Maybe a result of all the strikes that things are just slow.

 

[vonnegut21]

What's a decent price for Girardin Black Label? I never see them on the shelf around here, but when I order them online, they're usually in the $15/750ml price range including shipping. Local store just got a couple cases of 375mls, but they're charging $14.99 each. Am I just spoiled by Etre or is that really high for a 375ml of black label?

 

[The Red Viper]

What's a decent price for Girardin Black Label? I never see them on the shelf around here, but when I order them online, they're usually in the $15/750ml price range including shipping. Local store just got a couple cases of 375mls, but they're charging $14.99 each. Am I just spoiled by Etre or is that really high for a 375ml of black label?

That's too high. I don't see them around on shelf in the U.S. anymore so I don't know what counts as a good shelf price imported, but it should definitely be lower than that. If you order the bulk pack from Belgium in a Box it comes out to less than $13/750 shipped. Paying $15 for a 375ml would be ridiculous.

 

[JRBecks]

Sorry for my lack of experience , but I am planning on placing an order thru Etre or BiaB, what would should I expect the shipping costs to be...Just looking for an estimate

 

[errantnight]

Sorry for my lack of experience , but I am planning on placing an order thru Etre or BiaB, what would should I expect the shipping costs to be...Just looking for an estimate

Put some bottles in your shopping cart and find out... both sites are good about helping you find the break points between shipping costs to maximize your orders.

 

[JRBecks]

Thank you

 

[EliotRosewater]

I just had another box get caught up in LAX Customs and another buddy just reported he has one caught up as well. LAX really seems to be cracking down on this as it was never an issue for em prior to December 2014.

Has anyone tried reaching out to LAX to see if they can pick their box(es) up rather than having them returned to the sender?

I don't know if it's specific to LAX or not but I just had a box get held up in customs for three weeks before being sent back to Belgium.

 

[Farnsworth]

What's a decent price for Girardin Black Label? I never see them on the shelf around here, but when I order them online, they're usually in the $15/750ml price range including shipping. Local store just got a couple cases of 375mls, but they're charging $14.99 each. Am I just spoiled by Etre or is that really high for a 375ml of black label?

Just picked up a 375ml at binnys for $11.99.

 

[Stevedore1]

How's the 2014 St Lamvinus drinking these days? Better than the 2013 batch? I'm still sitting on a 2012 that I'm thinking about opening soon as well.

 

[HeadytheElder]

How's the 2014 St Lamvinus drinking these days? Better than the 2013 batch? I'm still sitting on a 2012 that I'm thinking about opening soon as well.

I've a 2012 as well that I am aging. I won't be opening it soon, was thinking at least another couple years (never had an aged Saint Lam). But I'd be curious how it is doing.

 

[LukeAleTime]

Had a 2012 the other day. My untappd notes:

"So good. Silky smooth, not as sour as I expected after two years. Loads of flavour"

I thought I had another in my cellar but I didn't

 

[Labors Of Hercules]

I just had another box get caught up in LAX Customs and another buddy just reported he has one caught up as well. LAX really seems to be cracking down on this as it was never an issue for em prior to December 2014.

Has anyone tried reaching out to LAX to see if they can pick their box(es) up rather than having them returned to the sender?

I had a box from BIAB go into LAX customs Tuesday last week. Popped out on Wednesday and was delivered saturday. It had the description "retained at customs: unknown reason" and everything but I think it was just customs going through the normal process. I would give it some time. Or maybe I was just lucky, idk.

 

[SeaWatchman]

Had a 2012 the other day. My untappd notes:

"So good. Silky smooth, not as sour as I expected after two years. Loads of flavour"

I thought I had another in my cellar but I didn't

Maybe if you weren't in Australia I could help you

 

[LukeAleTime]

Maybe if you weren't in Australia I could help you

Loons here are turding it up at the bargain price of $100+ now, bro. I'm super set.

 

[SeaWatchman]

Loons here are turding it up at the bargain price of $100+ now, bro. I'm super set.

On the shelf?!?! That's a joke right? Can I PayPal you?

 

[LukeAleTime]

On the shelf?!?! That's a joke right? Can I PayPal you?

I assume they are still there. FF, LPK, OG, Mamouche, RdG

With exchange rates and shipping you're in for a bargain!

 

[SeaWatchman]

I assume they are still there. FF, LPK, OG, Mamouche, RdG

With exchange rates and shipping you're in for a bargain!

Damn, I never actually looked at the exchange rate in Australia vs the US. -_________-

 

[LukeAleTime]

Damn, I never actually looked at the exchange rate in Australia vs the US. -_________-

Yeah it's tanked recently. We were parity for a while there.

 

[SeaWatchman]

Yeah it's tanked recently. We were parity for a while there.

USA! USA! USA!

 

[HenrikO]

How's the 2014 St Lamvinus drinking these days? Better than the 2013 batch? I'm still sitting on a 2012 that I'm thinking about opening soon as well.

Has the '14 been around for that long? I was under the impression that it's the '14 that's on sale at the brewery now?

On the other hand, I hate beer and I don't know what I'm doing, so I'm probably wrong.

 

[Stevedore1]

Has the '14 been around for that long? I was under the impression that it's the '14 that's on sale at the brewery now?

On the other hand, I hate beer and I don't know what I'm doing, so I'm probably wrong.

Er that's what I meant. 2014 drinking well out of the gates, and then I threw in the comment about the 2012.