Never had any Cantillon before but would like to finally try one. I'm mostly a stouts/IPA guy so not sure which one to look for. Obviously not looking to score any whales but would like suggestions on which ones would be relatively easier to obtain/trade for that would also hopefully impress me enough to make me wanna try more rather than completely turn me off. Thanks
Probably none of them. If you don't like sours you probably won't be happy. The easiest to get is the gueuze, but would be better off getting the 3 Fonteinen gueuze anyways.
I'd say regular gueuze, kriek or rose de gambrinus would be the easiest to get. Those are bottled in both 750 and 375 bottles. They should be fairly easy to get, especially the 375s. I personally don't like the 3F gueuze but do enjoy the Cantillon gueuze. My absolute favorite (of the ones I've had) is the Fou Foune. It trades a lot higher.
That's what I was fearing. Im hoping that at least Cantillon might open my eyes and interest a bit but who knows. Thanks
I would start with Belgian beers you can get locally in the same style to see if you even like it. It's a fun name to throw around, but might not be something you enjoy in the end stylistically.
If you want a gateway sour beer, maybe go after something with less acidity and funk to start with. You can build your way up to lambic. Trade for a Hill Farmstead Anna or Florence. Neither should be terribly difficult to land. If you like IPAs, there are a lot of dry-hopped wilds out there that might appeal to you too. Casey Brett Loves Mosaic (or Citra) would be a good option to target in a trade.
Get Cuvee Rene' and Cuvee Rene' Kriek first and find out if you hate Lambic-esque styles or not before blowing big bucks on Cantillons. Plus, until you develop appreciation for the styles, you likely won't appreciate the best ones as well as you otherwise will once you are accustomed.
I'd look for a tart saison as a gateway sour. Some fruited sours can be game changers too. I love a good tart saison. I converted a couple of regular beer drinkers with a home brewed peach sour. It had a good balance of sweetness and sour. It subsequently won some homebrew competitions, so I guess I could say it was pretty good. The one couple hates me now. Ha. They say I have cost them thousands of dollars since they are now buying expensive sours on a regular basis. But I now have sour beer friends to share my Bottles with!!!
Why don't you start of with more accessible geuzes like Boon marriage parfait (or even the regular boon oude geuze). Those are pretty nice as well and won't cost you an arm and a leg whilst maybe not enjoying them.
