What does it take to land the Armand'4 box (not inclusive of the beers)? I am looking to potentially acquire the set, but may need a box if I acquire bottles via trade piecemeal. Would empty rare bottles (like BA DL or PVW23) cut it, or what beers would it take? Thanks in advance.
It probably depends on whether you bought the set at 3F or from one of the online merchants. Buying it at 3F allows you to have a number assigned to the box from the 500(?) total boxes to be sold there. Lydie and Armand have a list at the brewery. They can assign a number to your name and Armand can personally sign/autograph the box cover (inside or outside depending on your preference). I think coming across one of these would be rather difficult (mine is not available). Buying it from an online merchant (at least currently) precludes this, so I suspect that would be easier to acquire. Hope this helps at least frame part of the discussion. -Kevin.
The box is very nice but is made of rather thin particle board/cardboard fill with an thin wood veneer..In other words, its pretty fragile and otherwise cumbersome to ship. I managed to bring one back in my luggage because it happen to fit around a box i was bringing back perfectly. I imagine that most folks that have the box would probably just as soon keep it than trade it for empties.. Thinking it would actually take a decent *full* bottle (or bottles) of lambic or otherwise noteworthy brew to get someone that went through the trouble to get one to give it up.
Pretty sure the box I have from an online purchase (etregourmet) is both numbered and signed. I'll have to check when I get home, though, to be certain.
It may well be...that's why I said currently. I thought Lydie said that they (i.e., 3F) were "no longer" signing/numbering the online purchases. I think that's why they are now keeping the more limited list with specific names (maybe they give/gave a number and assign it to Etre or B in a Box for the ones sold online?). It's a nice thing, especially since Armand personalized (rather than just signing it) in our presence. He also signed the individual Armand '4 bags that they give you if you bought individual bottles at the brewery. Then again, after an afternoon sampling Armand's lambic and gueuze, my memory my be a bit fuzzy. -K.
I guess I didn't realize there was a market for empty Walez... Jeff, I feel like the best option here would be to just put out an ISO:Armand'4 box FT: lets talk, and see if anyone is actually willing to trade the box. It seems like it's fairly rare, but you may find someone who just doesn't care for it anymore. My .02 cents.
Actually, a generous past trade partner reached out to me. I'm set on my end. I'd delete the thread but someone might be interested in the information. We are settling details down the line.
I ordered a couple boxes off Etre last summer. Both boxes got busted up in shipping. As others have said, they aren't that sturdy. I ended up throwing the boxes away but kept the wood cover with the design. Is the "Armand 4" in gold on the front printed or did Armand actually sign that? I always assumed it was printed but now that it was mentioned he was signing them, I'm not so sure.
I believe that's printed on all the covers...at least all of the ones they had stacked at 3F. Armand hand signed the one I have with a black felt tip pen. -K.
