Did Oude Quetsche Tilquin à L'Ancienne Avec Prunes de Namur and/or Oude Mûre Tilquin à L'Ancienne see U.S. distribution?
Mure was extremely limited and was off the shelf as quickly as it appeared for me. Quetsche had better distribution and overall volume, and is still on the shelf around me as well. I already reviewed both, so the answer to your question is definitely yes.
I just checked out your reviews and it looks like you haven't reviewed either, just the regular Oude Gueuze, regular quetsche and Tilquin squared. These are the two I'm talking about: Mûre: http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/25923/170141/ Avec Prunes De Namur: http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/25923/179769/
We have plenty of the Oude Gueuze, Stout Rullquin, and Quetsche in Hawai'i. Probably be here a little while too.
I picked up 2 bottles at a shop (last 2 they had) of Oude MûreTilquin here in ohio they were on the shelf less than a day. Also got to talking with a shop owner down in Atlanta and they had some in Georgia ( also gone in a day)
There are two versions of Quetsche, or at least two different labels. The standard seems to be much more available whereas the Prunes de Namur that OP mentioned did hit shelves here but in much smaller quantities. I don't know the difference between the two. Maybe someone else can share the details?
They split a batch between using two different plum varieties. Prune de Namur and Quetsche véritable d'Alsace. Prune de Namur is a bit more of a sour plum.
Glad that was explained. I haven't had the Tilquin prune but am more familiar with the actual fruit and the quetsches are fan effin' tastic. Recall that alcohol, sweets and other good thing often historically originated with the need to preserve a short-lived product. And so with the quetsche. I'm not sure if the prunes de Namur are much different than the other prunes in my groceries, which are also good, just more sour, less of that perfect-moment sweet meatiness of the quetsche. But I digress...
I believe both of the ones in the OP hit VA, in small quantities. Seems like in general in DC and VA, shops get no more than a case at a time. Could be the wholesaler is hesitant to bring in much at a time, as from my previous job I believe they get a shipment from 12% about monthly, and want commitments before bringing it in. ::I wish I had bought more squared::
