Bottle Damaged in Transit - How to Right the Wrong?

Cantillon bottles leak in transit quite often, but I've never heard of them tasting any different upon arrival.

 

Sounds like you are doing what you can. Working with your partner to find a solution that is reasonable for both of you. I'd just keep contact with him and find something you can get that will be ok for him.

I do think you need to go a bit out of your way to make this right, so maybe expand your search from just local liquor stores to somewhat nearby breweries and such.

 

How much actually leaked out?

(May be an obvious question but...) Has your trading partner had that particular vintage of FF? If so, what was off about it?

 

Maybe keep him in mind during an upcoming release? You might not have something appropriate in the cellar now, but I imagine at some point you'll have something on par with Fou Foune, if that's what you need to make it right.

I've had a couple things break before but they thankfully were just random extras so both parties just let it go.

 

I would also like to know what was off about the flavor and how much was leaked.

I've experienced leakage from Cantillon in the past as well, though a minimal amount of fluid. I don't know if I've ever opened a bottle from them that hasn't had liquid between the cork and the cap. I always assume that is the liquid that is coming out.

 

I had a bottle of wine not make the trip once (leaked in transit). It was my only bottle of that vintage and it was a specific vintage my trading partner was ISO. I gave up what I had to for another bottle of that vintage and had it sent his way. It was a hassle for me, but he was happy.

 

I've consumed bottles of Cantillon that have leaked, had rusty caps, had mold growing under the caps, etc. and they've all tasted outstanding. I'd love to know what was so "off tasting" about it, to be honest.

 

Send you a BM, OP.

 

If you've offered a package of substitutes that wasn't to his liking, why not ask your trading partner what it will take to right this and satisfy him?

 

yeah, not exactly sure what happened here. since Fou Foune bottles have a cork AND a cap, it is very common for a little bit of liquid to seep out of the bottle and rest between the cap and cork. Can't see leaking happen through a cork that is more substantial than that. Unless the bottle breaks, or the cork comes out.
As others have said, I have never experienced any off tastes due to this happening. And it happens quite often.

 

To echo others, Loons leak regularly when shipping. The right question to ask is probably how much leaked out. It's ultimately your responsibility, but IMO both parties share some responsibility if they agreed to trade during the cold weather, especially with a fragile 5% beer.

As for the "I can't get another Fou Foune", I'm not entirely sure why you say that. Looking at recent FT/ISO's from you - you've offered up Bottleworks 14, Armand, T25, Black Note, Cherry Rye, and a lot more. Some over $4$ package of those beers should be able to score FF, if not even something like Armand straight up.

 

Honestly, I would ask him how much leaked out. Because you might be giving the dude extra beer and working your ass off for no reason whatsoever.

 

I've gotten a Cantillon with a fair amount having leaked out (I would guess 20-25% of the bottle) in a shipment from Belgium (never had this happen via trade fortunately). I consumed it that night and it had lost most of it's carbonation, but tasted fine other than that. I'm not even sure what really could affect the flavor in that case, but carbonation could certainly be an issue.

 

Since the trader drank the FF, it would appear to me the trade is done. If he wasn't happy with the leaky bottle when he got it, he should have sent it back immediately. I'm not sure why you're having to do all this work when he drank the beer? Bottles leak in transit all the time, particulalry Cantillon, but the seal on the bottle is still good and the beer inside is still good. You can certainly do your due diligence and get this person more beer, but I think you're going above and beyond.

 

^ agreed

In the future, I'd say try to trade for Damaged Beer X, and have that trading partner send it directly to the other person (which I'm sure you already thought of).

 

Did you home cork and cage it? I've heard home waxing and other similar methods cause off tastes.

To echo what others have said, he opened and consumed a leaky bottle. Trade is done at that point. If he had an issue with the leaky bottle, it should have immediately brought that up. Not consume it and then proclaim the leaking caused an "off taste" of a beer he has possibly never had.

 

Agreed. You drink it, you're accepting the shipment. This is like people who eat their entire meal and then try to complain about it to get a freebie. Deal is done.

And it had leaked, and he waited 2 more days to drink it? That makes no sense at all