Lambic Discussion Thread

[JCastle1]

Had it at the source, didn't really care for it. Everything, except the 2007 Gueuze (burnt rubber) was better IMO.. but, yeah, didn't decant.

That's unfortunate, the bottle I had there a few weeks ago was crazy good. Least favorites were Zwanze 2012 and 2015 by far.

 

[coldstorage]

People with 2015 bottles in hand, how did you get them?

-Traded for mine from a guy who claimed to have bought it on the East Coast.
-Local bottle shop in Northern California advertised it in stock for a special cellar clearing day on IG and it was sold out when I got there an hour or two later. Heard they priced em a $75

 

[Os]

probably mentioned in here already, but has anyone had any off flavors in the recent batch of Fou?

 

[JCastle1]

probably mentioned in here already, but has anyone had any off flavors in the recent batch of Fou?

I got some bitterness and pretty faint fruit... but I'm not the biggest Fou fan so probably not the person to ask.

 

[aleigator]

probably mentioned in here already, but has anyone had any off flavors in the recent batch of Fou?

What exactly do you regard an off flavor in a beer, which basically cultivates off flavors?

 

[Os]

What exactly do you regard an off flavor in a beer, which basically cultivates off flavors?

well, I'm talking specifically Fou and how this batch was unlike any prior batches I had...

I'd rather see if anyone picked up the same flavors before I say as to not start any bad rumors...

I also am wondering if somehow it was just a bad bottle or a problem with a recent batch...

seeing as how I just got another bottle, I'm hoping time will fix the issues

 

[shanrath]

That's unfortunate, the bottle I had there a few weeks ago was crazy good. Least favorites were Zwanze 2012 and 2015 by far.

Did you flat out not like the Zwanze 2012? I ask because I was just there and had it too and liked it quite a bit, but it wasn't my favorite (that was either LPK or 50N).

 

[sunnrider]

People with 2015 bottles in hand, how did you get them?

I´ve seen them in a bunch of Euro beer stores since this summer. A few near to me are at €75. Not really worth that imo.

 

[JCastle1]

Did you flat out not like the Zwanze 2012? I ask because I was just there and had it too and liked it quite a bit, but it wasn't my favorite (that was either LPK or 50N).

No, it was ok but not memorable. Odd astringency from the rhubarb that left a chalky mouthfeel. Not something I'd seek out again.

 

[GuzzleMcBrew]

well, I'm talking specifically Fou and how this batch was unlike any prior batches I had...

I'd rather see if anyone picked up the same flavors before I say as to not start any bad rumors...

I also am wondering if somehow it was just a bad bottle or a problem with a recent batch...

seeing as how I just got another bottle, I'm hoping time will fix the issues

Over a sample of maybe 20 various bottles, a lot of the 2016 loons seem to have some ...different... things going on than usual.

 

[Os]

Over a sample of maybe 20 various bottles, a lot of the 2016 loons seem to have some ...different... things going on than usual.

yeah, I know for sure my bottle was off... just wasn't sure if it was a batch thing...

 

[GuzzleMcBrew]

yeah, I know for sure my bottle was off... just wasn't sure if it was a batch thing...

I have had varying experience with St Lam, Vig and Gilloise bottles this year. The prior two I have had good and bad, more bad than good. Wont even touch the CSGs.

 

[sneakychi]

People with 2015 bottles in hand, how did you get them?

It had a limited release here in Sweden (like 300 bottles was released).

 

[Os]

I have had varying experience with St Lam, Vig and Gilloise bottles this year. The prior two I have had good and bad, more bad than good. Wont even touch the CSGs.

ugh... well, now that I know it's not just me and not just one bottle... the one we opened was a mess... buttery and acetic... very little fruit or it was just being masked by the issues... hoping brett can eat at the butter but it was the worst bottle of loons I've ever had sadly

 

[GuzzleMcBrew]

That sucks. Also sounds a lot worse than the St. Lam or Vigneronne experiences I am referring to. A few bottles each of those grape lambics have had a nose with a smell that smelled a little like solvent and or paint. It aired off with a little time and left the beer tasting a little less fruity and more pickley and acetic than usual, but not by too much. The couple good ones have been par for the course, some of my favorites. I actually got the same weird nose on an off bottle of natural wine and it tasted remarkably similar to the Vig.

The couple CSGs I have tried were crazy-sulphery, sweet but not very flavorful. It wasn't that extreme but for some reason it repulsed me.

Had another not so good Vig on thanksgiving. I still dug it enough

Edit: embarrassingly enough, I originally wrote that the solvent smell was 'somewhere between tannic and phenolic', but realized that tannins are detected more by feel. Post adjusted.*

 

[LukeAleTime]

I can't remember the last good Fou I had. '13 was almond/arsenicy. I had one '14 that was ok, and another that was acetic and battery acid. I have a 14 and a 15 left which I really hope are good.

It used to be my favourite loon, now... I can't trust it. RdG tho, Never let me down.

 

[Fahmie25]

i just drank a '15 st lam on thanksgiving that was awesome

 

[IndianaJones]

Os starts firesale on '16 Fou. Os's alter ego, sO, starts trading for '16 Fou like a mad man. And the rest is history..

No no I'm just kidding. I have a '14 Fou and a '16 Fou, and, never having had Fou before, I'm thinking I shouldn't open the '16 first now. If i do, I at least won't equate it with all Fou (if it's acetic)

 

[Abitker]

Os starts firesale on '16 Fou. Os's alter ego, sO, starts trading for '16 Fou like a mad man. And the rest is history..

No no I'm just kidding. I have a '14 Fou and a '16 Fou, and, never having had Fou before, I'm thinking I shouldn't open the '16 first now. If i do, I at least won't equate it with all Fou (if it's acetic)

You're thinking too hard about this. Just drink them.

 

[kzeon]

probably mentioned in here already, but has anyone had any off flavors in the recent batch of Fou?

The only 2015 I've had bottled was just weird... not much fruit, a bit soapy and not that sour. I was really confused.

 

[robert1]

Randomly went to BiaB and they had 3F OG volume packs. Couldn't resist.

 

[regularjohn]

What i took from this page....all seasonal loons are bad and should be sent my way immediately. Especially CSG.

 

[Ziggy]

I second that. I will make sure any unwanted fruited loons are properly disposed of. PM me for address.

 

[The Red Viper]

Anyone tried Vat 109 yet? Is there noticeable cognac or is it pretty similar to Vat 44 as Boon's note said?

 

[Compton25]

Anyone tried Vat 109 yet? Is there noticeable cognac or is it pretty similar to Vat 44 as Boon's note said?

Curious as well. Vat 44 is one of my favorites, and I love cognac lambics. Combined with Boon's affordability, 109 seems like a win/win.

 

[Snarf1]

Combined with Boon's affordability

Rapidly dissappearing affordability. OG has what, doubled in the last few years and these monovats are essentially rebranded Marriage Parfait at twice the price.

 

[Saind]

Rapidly dissappearing affordability. OG has what, doubled in the last few years and these monovats are essentially rebranded Marriage Parfait at twice the price.

That''s the fault of your importers. OG is still just a bit more than €1 a bottle over here


On the topic of Boon, what's the deal with this stuff?

I couldn't find anything on lambic.info other than that is was made by Boon. Is it a different recipe? Sure tasted like it to me

 

[Snarf1]

That''s the fault of your importers.

I should have said the blame lays with them and not the brewery. Same reason Girardin is crazy expensive here and why I like Merchants du Vin and drink so much Cuvee Rene.

 

[BelgianChris]

I went to the "Day of the Lambic" today and tasted e.g. some 3F lambic, Boon lambic, Lindemans lambic, ...

And they also had these Bokkereyder lambics

Simply Amazing !!!

This 'Le Chat Rebelle Perzik (peach)' was also superb

 

[andrewdrinks]

Oh ****, I knew there was something going on today but couldn't remember what exactly