I gave Lindemans (Peche) another try last night and was extremely surprised (Although, slightly sweet for my tastes). I had what I beleive was the Framboise a long time ago and never liked it, so stayed away. At any rate, I want more. From my understanding Lindemans is run of the mill lambic. I see the list, but what seems confusing to me is a lot of them mention lambic's being sour. The Lindemans Peche was not sour, at all. I can't say i'm a huge fan of sours (i.e with brett), so the less sour, the better. Any recommendations here?
Traditional belgian lambics are sour. Usually the more expensive ones are sour or acidic. Lambics from Lindemans or Timmermans are sweet. The strawberry from Timmermans wasnt bad and was super sweet.
Lindemans fruited lambics that you see in American stores are sweetened with Nutrisweet. That's why they taste sweet. The Lindemans Cuvee Rene is unsweetened as is the Cuvee Rene Kriek.
More (and less sweet/sweetened): Cuvee Rene, Boon, Oud Beersel, Girardin, Tilquin, De Cam, Drie Fonteinen, Cantillon (blended and unblended lambics)...in that order, of increasing price and decreasing availability.
I've been looking for a better introduction to lambics than Lindeman's for a while and I've yet to figure out anything that'll help me prepare for the Cantillions and such of the world. I think the language is a little startling. Anything out there I should know?
As far as gueuze is concerned, buy a Cuvee Rene or Oude Beersel and drink it. If you like the sour and a little bit of funk to it, seek out Drie Fonteinen, Tilquin, and Cantillon for a better expression of those flavors. As far as fruit lambic is concerned, Boon is probably the best starting point. Or Oude Beersel. If you like that, move on to the Boon Mariage Parfait Kriek. Then try to seek out Drie Fontenien and Cantillon stuff if you like that. This is of course just my opinion and taking into consideration the decreased availability of proper lambic in the states. If you're feeling adventurous, have some money to blow and really like the sour/funk of Boon, Cuvee Rene, and other less authentic stuff but want more, just order some Drie Fonteinen and Cantillon online from a Belgian site. If you order roughly a case or so of standard lambic in 750mls, it'll come out to be pretty reasonable ($10-20 per bottle including shipping).
I'll use your list to get into things and see what I can order around here before I head the belgian site way.
