The Bar Towel

Hi Folks,

This is my first post. I've lurked a bit on this board for a while. I have something to share so I thought I'd post it.

I have been waiting to get my hands on Liefmans Kriek for a couple of years now. After an abortive try at ordering, I have had it a few times even in places like Rivière-du-Loup. The light finally is appearing at the end of the tunnel.

Earlier in the summer I noticed Liefmans on the Summer release list on the Bar Towel home page. Since then I have been waiting in anticipation for one of my (and my wife's) favourite beers to arrive here. The summer release has passed so I decided to email and then had to call the LCBO. The latest info is that it's due to arrive on August 24 and then after the LCBO testing et al is done the will release it in "4 to 6 weeks".

Here's hoping it's sooner.

I was wondering what's going on with the Goudenband myself, actually...still listed as discontinued on LCBO. Are they going to recontinue it anytime?

shintriad wrote:I was wondering what's going on with the Goudenband myself, actually...still listed as discontinued on LCBO. Are they going to recontinue it anytime?

probably not, according to mcauslan (yup, the quebec micro), which is actually the import agent.

We were their agents for many years but severed our relationship because brewery management was utterly and absolutely incompetent. I'm puzzled as to why the LCBO would buy anything from them as they consistently lied to us and the LCBO claiming that orders were shipped when they had not been. Sounds like the same old thing...our best to McAuslan who must be having fun with this supplier. Rumour has it that the Riva group which owns Liefmans is in serious difficulty and may not be long for this world. Sad to see such a great brewery going down the tubes.

I have a small supply of 2006 Goudenband if anybody wants to trade a Westy or Pannepot or something for it. (Har har.)

Will be a sad day when Liefman's beers vanish - I thought the Gueuze was fairly tart and actually pretty good, some 7-8 years back wasn't it? Same year I was buying the (acceptable yet cheap) Belle Vue by the caseload to drink every day.

Peter please bring back Belle Vue Gueuze if you can, it's the 'common table wine" of the style.

Belgian wrote: Peter please bring back Belle Vue Gueuze if you can, it's the 'common table wine" of the style.

the bellevue stuff is inbev, so i don't it is/ever was peter's. and if inbev yanked its kriek, i don't think they're gonna be bringing in their gueuze.

Belgian wrote:Will be a sad day when Liefman's beers vanish - I thought the Gueuze was fairly tart and actually pretty good, some 7-8 years back wasn't it? Same year I was buying the (acceptable yet cheap) Belle Vue by the caseload to drink every day.

I think you mean Lindemans; they're the lambic brewery, Liefmans isn't (and neither is Belle Vue. )

To clarify, Liefmans is not a lambic brewery and do not produce Gueuze. Belle-Vue is a lambic brewery and part of Inbev. Inbev withdrew their Gueuze some years ago and recently withdrew their bottled Kriek. They would seem to rather sell Stella and, possibly Hoegaarden, but they do not appear to have any passion for lambics or Leffe in Canada.
We have stock of Mort Subite Gueuze available for anyone that's interested. We will have a Kriek on General List before Xmas!!!!

Further clarification...Lindemans is also a lambic brewery and we are their agents in Ontario and will be bringing in a wide assortment of their various products before Xmas....LCBO willing.

Yes I confused it - Lindeman's - the Lambic Peach & Gueuze etc with the cork UNDER the cap, remember those?? They were punchy, full-tasting semi-commercial Gueuze beers.

esprit wrote:

Belle-Vue is a lambic brewery and part of Inbev. Inbev withdrew their Gueuze some years ago and recently withdrew their bottled Kriek.

Ahh, like I said I didn't mind that Belle Vue Gueuze so that's really too bad. It was technically an 'inferior' Gueuze of course yet - for me - a good bit more palatable the recent ones we've seen (St. Louis, did we ever get Boon?) - I just can't manage those. Mosrt Subite is fine for what it is - it has a good sour punch and concentrated flavor but it demands slow savoring & is also a bit on the sweet/heavy side whereas I lean to the dry. Belle Vue you could just enjoy like a good Pale Ale or something.

Wonder if there still are everyday Gueuze beers like that made? If anyone finds them there are people waiting to try them.

In the end I think they will find a way to remove from people the "beer taste" gene entirely so we stop hating the conglomeration effect.

esprit wrote:Further clarification...Lindemans is also a lambic brewery and we are their agents in Ontario and will be bringing in a wide assortment of their various products before Xmas....LCBO willing.

Ohh and that's a good thing for anybody wondering.