Brewer’s Perspective: A Life Beneath the Cobwebs

Awesome article. Love the faith and living poetry that is embodied in true spontaneous beers. So glad to be living at a time when the style is on the ascendant

 

While I do agree, it would have been cool to have been into craft beer before it blew up. I’ve heard from other enthusiasts on this site that Cantillon was easily obtained on local shelves. It just sat there collecting dust, then BAM, out of no where it was one of the most sought after brands.

This was before I was on this site if I recall correctly, so maybe the late 90s, early 2000s?

Visiting Cantillon is still one of the coolest beer experiences I’ve had. Got to meet Jean Van Roy too.

 

I imagine it was once easier in cities but I'm blessed to have a store where I can get easy access. I bought a 6 pack of the geuze that came over in early 2020 (I think bottled 2019) and have since picked up another 2 or 3 bottles of that and got a small bottle of Rose de Gambrinus off the shelf the other day. And during the stores dump when they first opened back up after the first shutdown I. Scored a bottle of Four Foune and one of Brouscella. So I'm kind of spoiled I guess.
Oud Geuze remains my favorite, I could drink a 750 of that every day.

Definitely a bucket list item for me. Belgium/central Europe generally but cantillon is a top tier target. Did you go for a brew day?

 

This tracks with my experience. Cantillon was (and still is) out of my price range circa 2005, but I remember seeing it on shelves and having no idea why it was so pricey. Of course, 2021-me now wishes my younger self had enough foresight to take advantage of their availability. I think 750s were going for under twenty bucks 15 years ago? Does that track with others recollections?

 

I know that the first time I encountered the geuze in the wild (maybe ~2017?) I got a 750 for $20. Now the 375s are $18 when I see them and I paid about $60 each for the big bottle of Fou Foune and Bruscella.

 

Great post. And what is so amazing about the continually shifting landscape of world beer is that in 2005 I had trouble selling Cantillon anywhere. I never worried about the beer but I did worry about the broad populace. These are niche beers that had not yet found their niche or hype......Cantillon Kriek, the regular bottling, was a stark and tooth rattling bitter/sour thing that leaves an impression on one's taste buds forever. I love it..

 

Ha yes, you ARE spoiled...damn.

Make sure to buy lots of TUMS!

Unfortunately no.

We went in September because we looped it in with a trip to Munich for Oktoberfest, then Amsterdam, and finally Brussels/Bruges. It's so weird because Cantillon is in this shit area of Brussels, I remember my buddy saying, "Where the hell are you taking me?"

It was a particularly hot September too, mid 70s, maybe even low 80s if I recall correctly. I wore shorts a lot on that trip. I remember Jean Van Roy telling me he might have to push back the brewing season due to the unusually warm temps. This was about 10 years ago if I recall correctly.

Awesome brewery "tour" too. It's self-guided so you just stroll through the place at your leisure, super chill and interesting.

You'd LOVE Brussels. Cantillon is like water there, super cheap and you can find it at bars everywhere. Plus the ABV isn't insane so if your stomach can handle it you won't get too tipsy.

I also highly recommend going on a VIP tour at Allagash if you're ever in the Northeast. It's a very cozy private tour and you can spend hours chilling with your guide just geeking out on beer. They take you to their coolship that Jean Van Roy himself helped them set up many years ago. Apparently that was an awesome time, ending with a great party. Rumor has it Jean Van Roy can put them back too. I heard a story he drank over 10 Duvels in one night...impressive. Especially for a thin dude like him.

 

This reminds me of a story a relative told me when he had lived in Brussels. A new health inspector was sent to a lambic brewery and noted the mass of cobwebs covering the ceiling of the brewery. He fined the brewmaster and demanded that he remove the spiders because they’re a health hazard.

The brewmaster had to explain that they keep the spiders to prevent the flies, which are actually a health risk to the beer being brewed.

Evidently, this new health inspector didn’t understand how Lambic is made or why these breweries are specifically exempt from the normal health regulations. In this case, having the spiders is actually a health measure, rather than a health hazard!

 

Yeah, could never get Cantillon in Houston (except for relatively recently and that was only a one time drop at mostly bars), but when I moved down here I would travel back and forth from Louisiana a lot for work, this was around 2007. I would always pick up regular Geuze, Fou'Foune, et al for around $20. If I ever saw the Lou Pepe versions they were like $25 (if I recall correctly).

 

My cousin did his honeymoon in Brussels and so I told him to check it out (he's more of a spirits guy). He brought home a bunch of bottles for me and I glass I still use. Good guy, my cousin.

 

This is correct. I used to get it at a couple places in Boston in the early 2000s. No one else touched it.

 

Ha! I sort of recall before the self guided tour them telling us not to kill spiders (or touch anything else) because so much of that brew house is critical to the spontaneous fermentation.

I have glasses from Zwanze Day(s). Zwanze up at Novare Res is a killer experience.

 

I visited on a brew day in November. Took the self guided tour than proceeded to start sampling and sharing with other patrons. By far the most memorable brewery visit ever.

I look forward to retuning.