Help! Lambics / Gueuze / Sour / Wild Ale / etc

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by BEEER, Jul 28, 2013.

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  1. BEEER

    BEEER Crusader (435) Jul 27, 2013 Ohio

    I've been seriously drinking beer for 6-7 years now and haven't had any of these styles. I see people going crazy for them online & in forums, and paying exorbitant prices for them at auction. I want to learn more, but I don't know where to start or what to look for. Everything in the top lists look the same and I've never seen any of them in the shops by me (NE Ohio)

    So, what are some widely distributed beers in these styles that I can find in OH, that are good examples, and can give me a better understanding of what the fascination is all about? And what are some bad examples that I definitely shouldn't try? (I've heard Lindemans is really fake and sugary?)

    Also, what kind of prices ranges should I expect to see in store for your suggestions? I saw Cantillon once about 5 years ago at a shop, and I think the bottles were $20-30 and I passed them up (at the time I thought that was crazy). Then I see Cantillon selling for hundreds of dollars online...are those just rare aged bottles, or is that normal for anything Cantillon? I haven't seen a bottle since, so I probably should have tried it while I had the chance.

    Anyway, I feel like I've been missing out on a big part of beer world by not trying any of these styles and am now looking for something new and exciting. Any help is appreciated- thanks.
     
    #1 BEEER, Jul 28, 2013
  2. Ljudsignal

    Ljudsignal Initiate (0) Jul 19, 2013 Massachusetts

    On the Belgian side, I have a strong personal fondness for anything by Brouwerij drie Fonteinen or Petrus. Can't speak to Cantillon, never had anything they make (or even come close) myself...but I hear their beers are rather spectacular. Not $100+ worth, in my opinion, but I'd definitely pay $20-$30 a bottle.

    In terms of domestics, my knowledge is more limited...but if you can get your hands on Weyerbacher Riserva 2010 or 2011 (2010 is better by far, though), Avery Odio Equum, or (last but certainly not least, Goose Island Juliet, I'd happily recommend any of 'em.

    Edit: And yes, Lindemans doesn't count. Their products aren't bad, don't get me wrong--I actually rather like their Cassis--but they aren't lambics.
     
    #2 Ljudsignal, Jul 28, 2013
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  3. TMoney2591

    TMoney2591 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,139) Apr 21, 2009 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah

    Does back-end sugar addition really remove Lindemans from the world of "real" lambics? I mean, sure, they may not be the lambics you like the most, but they're still lambics...
     
    #3 TMoney2591, Jul 28, 2013
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  4. SpongeRuiner

    SpongeRuiner Initiate (0) Nov 27, 2012 Michigan

    Rodenbach Grand Cru. Not super expensive and amazing.
     
    #4 SpongeRuiner, Jul 28, 2013
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  5. El_Chupahueso

    El_Chupahueso Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2012 California

    Excellent question! So while checking out the top rated beers here in a number of the sour categories; American wild, flanders red, geuze, etc.; I think one of the best possible places to start is with Rodenbach Grand Cru. It's $10 for a 750mL bottle and readily available. I think it's really the perfect place to start with an absolute minimum buy in. Shoot, Michael Jackson liked it, just a bit. :slight_smile:
     
    #5 El_Chupahueso, Jul 28, 2013
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  6. douginromeo

    douginromeo Initiate (0) Apr 1, 2013 Michigan

    Stole my thunder - my fav that's readily available. Also, Petrus Aged Pale is amazing. You should have access to Jolly Pumpkin as well; find some Oro de Calabaza.
     
    #6 douginromeo, Jul 28, 2013
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  7. BEEER

    BEEER Crusader (435) Jul 27, 2013 Ohio

    Thanks for the suggestion- but hopefully the beer doesn't put me to sleep like his reviews.
     
    #7 BEEER, Jul 28, 2013
  8. bdonley5

    bdonley5 Initiate (0) Dec 30, 2011 Michigan

    Jolly Pumpkin La Roja is a good flanders usually around $9/btl. La Folie from New Belgium is another albeit more expensive version of that style. A really nice geuze I had was from Rivertown which is from your home state OP.
     
    #8 bdonley5, Jul 28, 2013
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  9. dachshunddude86

    dachshunddude86 Initiate (0) Dec 21, 2012 Florida

    Some of the more common and more affordable sours that you find on shelves are Lindemanns cuvée Rene gueuze (this is not back sweetend unlike their other offerings and is great for the price), the various rodenbachs, duchess De Bourgogne (more towards the vinegar end of sour), Petrus aged pale, and Petrus Oude bruin. Tilquin has been hitting distro a bit more lately. It will be more expensive than the others I mentioned but damn is it a good sour.

    Edit: I see some of the ones I mentioned were also already suggested while I was typing
     
    #9 dachshunddude86, Jul 28, 2013
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  10. TMoney2591

    TMoney2591 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,139) Apr 21, 2009 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah

    For the OP: Cuvee des Jacobins Rouge. Damn fine, and should be relatively easy to find...
     
    #10 TMoney2591, Jul 28, 2013
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  11. douginromeo

    douginromeo Initiate (0) Apr 1, 2013 Michigan

    After trying all this stuff, get some Cascade or Upland and taste happiness in a bottle.
     
    #11 douginromeo, Jul 28, 2013
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  12. SpongeRuiner

    SpongeRuiner Initiate (0) Nov 27, 2012 Michigan

    Jolly Pumpkin is one of my favorites. Actually enjoying a La Roja right now and have an Oro on deck. Had a good time at the JP tent at the Michigan summer beer fest this weekend too.
     
    #12 SpongeRuiner, Jul 28, 2013
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  13. douginromeo

    douginromeo Initiate (0) Apr 1, 2013 Michigan

    I need to revisit La Roja - I keep hearing how great it is.
     
    #13 douginromeo, Jul 28, 2013
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  14. SpongeRuiner

    SpongeRuiner Initiate (0) Nov 27, 2012 Michigan

    Id say my favorite Jolly Pumpkin beers are Luciérnaga, The Firefly and Bière De Mars. Still need the Grand Reserves.

    Side note - I placed a $165 order on Cascade Brewing's website the other day, 6 bottles. Oh! I can't wait.
     
    #14 SpongeRuiner, Jul 28, 2013
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  15. douginromeo

    douginromeo Initiate (0) Apr 1, 2013 Michigan

    Just got in 2x each of the Vine, Vlad, and Apricot. Had the apricot so far - wow!
     
    #15 douginromeo, Jul 28, 2013
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  16. black13

    black13 Initiate (0) Apr 11, 2010 Oregon

    Gueuze Tilquin. Readily available and reasonably priced.
     
    #16 black13, Jul 28, 2013
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  17. BEEER

    BEEER Crusader (435) Jul 27, 2013 Ohio

    holy jebus- must be goood.
     
    #17 BEEER, Jul 28, 2013
  18. MetalMountainMastiff

    MetalMountainMastiff Initiate (0) Oct 1, 2012 California

    I love Sours and la roja was not nearly as impressive as many to me. You can find RR sours on many online craft stores and Love Child # 3 for 20$ is an amazing deal. But more easily available and good is
    http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/641/1745
    a flanders red, good tart/sourness more of a funk to it.
     
    #18 MetalMountainMastiff, Jul 28, 2013
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  19. BEEER

    BEEER Crusader (435) Jul 27, 2013 Ohio

    Thanks for all the suggestions. Should I be worried about the date/freshness on any of these, or is some age okay in most cases?
     
    #19 BEEER, Jul 28, 2013
  20. SpongeRuiner

    SpongeRuiner Initiate (0) Nov 27, 2012 Michigan

    Apricot... Is it burn a hole in your esophagus sour? That's what I heard at least... and am hoping for. I want it now!
     
    #20 SpongeRuiner, Jul 28, 2013
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