Cantillon Zwanze Sept 20, 2014

Yes

 

From NYC - I'll probably decide which of the two locations to go to once kegs are announced but does anyone have experience at either?

 

Very much planning on being at Monks for this. Have never been to a Zwanze Day before, pretty pumped! What's the situation there on ZD? Obviously it's a mad house (when is Monks not), but are there lines? How long to wait to get a pour? Is getting a table even a possibility?

 

It's a madhouse, but surprisingly, I got a table last year. Shared it with random people. It's an all day event, though, so people come and go

 

CL sour fest is the Saturday before...my wife is going to kill me *gulp*

 

I'll probably hit up Alewife. Patrick rarely disappoints.

 

Went last year. Awesome time for sure. Place will be packed. Just your basic wait your turn to get a beer, standard but with a bunch of other people trying to do the same. Beers may be split between back bar and front bar. Some beers may kick and when they kick no mas. They had bottles last year. There will be a line to get in. Zwanze will probably be tapped at a certain time and there is a rush to get because everybody at once is trying to get. Timing of getting your beers certainly will depend on where you are and when you get there. They also had merch which people seemed to get as soon as they got in.

 

I think they tap Zwanze at the same time worldwide

 

Well I said last year I was on the edge, but went anyway. This would be the 4th time, seems like I should, but man I am not sure if I love Cantillon that much....

I keep trying to talk myself out of it, but somehow... I feel obligated

 

Samesies

 

Anyone from NYC have some information of what kegs/bottles were available at Spuyten vs. Alewife last year?

 

Alewife has Iris Grand Cru and Classic Gueuze, at least, last year. I can't remember if there were other Cantillon kegs. They had various bottles that I saw around as well; some Lou Pepes, Classic, Rose, etc.

I think Spuyten had Fou Foune and something else. Two years ago Spuyten had Mamouche and St. Lam.

I'd say in general, based on 1 year of being able to compare them to each other, Spuyten gets "better" kegs, but it can get super crowded super quickly there. Alewife was a great time last year, and I never felt like I couldn't move.

 

Finally I'll be in town for this, the last few years I've had weddings/birthdays/vacation plans.

I think just the difference in size of the two NYC places make Alewife much more appealing. That said, the lists could change everything.

 

This will be my 4th year at Spuyten. I always get there when it opens and grab some seating. The bar area is super cramped especially when Zwanze is getting poured, but overall I think it is a very well run event. Awesome kegs and bottles every time.

 

I'd probably rather be comfortable at alewife and I can't image the draft list being too lopsided.

 

Based purely on Spuyten's track record and Alewife's first go if you're choosing a location based on ticking Cantillons I would wager that;

Alewife will likely have 2 kegs from the "low-end". Things like Classic Gueuze, Kriek, Rose, CDC/CSG with various bottles for sale

and

Spuyten will have 2 kegs from the "higher-end". Things like Iris/St. Lam/Fou/Mamouche/Vigneronne with various bottles.

Spuyten is also usually good to have bottles/draft of something by Drie Fonteinen and some other lambic and gueuze.

 

I ultimately decided to sit out last year after going back and forth for days, and it sound like ChurchKey was such a shitshow that I made the right decision (plus the beer wasn't that great). I may suck it up and do it this year though, as perhaps 2 years is enough of a break.

 

The one 2 years ago was a bit of a cluster, they recovered a bit after that one for last year I thought. Was really odd service 2 years ago.

I am guessing it will be another big turn out