Cantillon? Where to start?

Grab one of each before someone else does...

 

You'll wanna start by getting a job that pays 3-5k more than whatever you're making now. Cos if you get a taste for those beers, you're gonna have less dough in your pocketses.


And for what it's worth, Iris is a great (and relatively affordable) intro to Cantillon and serious wild beers, IMO.

 

Gambrinus, being the only loon I have had, is fucking insanity.

 

The question is not where to start. The question is when to stop. The answer is, never.

 

Grab ALL the 'loons !!!!!!

 

Rose definitely. I'd also go with the Kriek and Iris, in that order.

 

I would not bother with the Bruocsella Grand Cru, seeing as how it's an unblended single barrel lambic that is dead flat.... It's worth a try if you have had a lot of Cantillon but if you have not your money is better spent else where.

 

Ya, Rose first, then depending on whether you like hoppy beers, either Iris or Kriek.

 

Find a few others beer enthusiasts where you live and get some money to get all of them, then have a tasting and savor them cause you may never see them again they way it's been lately.

 

Stay away, your wallet will grow legs and leave.

 

Too bad no Classic Gueuze. Iris them Kriek (hopefully the Lou Pepe)

 

Having just flown to Belgium from Colorado almost entirely for the purpose of drinking Cantillon at the source, I would say start with Kriek and/or Rose. Iris is a bit more esoteric, but all three are delicious. Have not had Grand Cru, but the Cantillon lambic base beer is pretty tasty, albeit completely flat.

If you are an experienced sour/gueuze drinker, go wild with whatever strikes your fancy.

 

Rose then Kriek. Grand Cru is good to try since there are very, very few examples of unblended examples of lambic. Nevermind it being flat.

 

I would start by making sure this store in OR will actually have the beer. I don't know of any place that actually has Cantillon around long enough to take up space on a shelf, let alone make a website.

Of those choices, definitely start with Iris. But get all you can and try them all.

 

My rule with Cantillon is to buy as much as possible as long as you don't have to pay for shipping. If you are limited on the amount you can buy, I might consider skipping the Grand Cru.

 

You also can take into consideration how you prefer your wild/lambic beers. If you want it drier, the Iris for sure. The Kriek and Gambrinus give that delicious fruit/berry factor and aren't as dry. You can't go wrong with any of them, obviously. The Bruocsella is flat, but doesn't mean it isn't good...that being said I would definitely have that as the last on the list.
Also, being in the beer community for a bit, I still don't understand this "loon" thing. You don't pronounce the L in the French language if there are two of them. I have 7th graders that say legit and epic all the time because "it's cool", I feel that Loon has that same forced, awkward, feeling. I understand the shortening of Westvleteran 12 to Westy, but I think we can all pronounce Cantillon...just sayin.

 

If you really have to choose, I like Iris best. I got a soft spot for it. i dream about it.

 

That's the way I feel about the Kriek.