Looking for some more info on this beer. What hath slain this mythical beast? How many bottles have actually made it into circulation?
In my case, it took a bunch of cash and some dumb luck w/ a person in Brussels. Most of the other reviews come from bars and events. I don't know of this beer ever having been released other than maybe a couple bottles that were sold out of bars? Honestly, i was underwhelmed. We had this next to 50n and crianza helena to compare it with other cognac lambics, and it wasn't even in the same ballpark. Admittedly, it a still lambic which should be taken into account in that comparison, but that really detracted from the flavor. I'd rather drink the other 2 any time. IMO, this is one where the cost of the rarity is way too high for what you're actually getting.
Some bottles came into the states a couple years back for various fests and special events..I.E. Philly Beer week 2010, the Avenue Pub charity auction 2010 (http://thebrewingnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=21005), Spuyten Dyuvil Brettember (http://bklynfoodie.com/?p=3511), etc. Moeder Lambic Fontinas has it for 180 euro on the menu as of a week or so ago. It was also available via trade forums around the time the small amount of bottles hit the states, purportedly runoffs from the aforementioned festivals/events. I've had it twice, both times next to the cognac lambic Bill mentions above for comparison. I thought it to be quite good blended with 50n4e et al. There was absolutely zero sediment in the bottle, a first for me (at the time) with respect to a cantillon. Worth seeking out as a curiosity, but for all intents and purposes this one is a ghost.
I don't remember which Moeder I went to, but I thought it was more like 120. Either way, silly expensive.
Makes Zwanze 08 look like a bargain. LH12 wasn't even the most expensive bottle.. (that would be the De La Senne Crianza for 250 euro..)
Yeah, you were at the other one, my menu was totally different from that. I could still be misremembering the price, however...
Thank you for the helpful info gentlemen! On a side note, I just want to say that it's awesome that almost every avatar in here is a Cantillon label. Quick stupac, change your avatar!
I have nothing to add here but since I have a Cantillon label on my avatar I should post too. Now we only need callmemickey with his Loerik avatar.
One barrel made (obviously). I heard 400 bottles and was originally meant to be a festival/event beer, never to be sold. I enjoyed the bottle I split with gn0sis. A much softer cognac taste than 50n. Then again JvR said he hated 50n. I believe it's a series so look out for the next LH12. No clue what it will be except hard to get.
