Jean Van Roy talks about lambic brewing in Brussels, and how he would feel about other lambic breweries opening in the city, as well as the growing number of visitors that Cantillon receives every year. The brewery had 39,000 visitors in 2017. Additionally, his speaks about the idea his father, Jean-Pierre Van Roy, has, of adding more space to the brewery museum. Brasserie Cantillon has many historical tools and others items used for lambic production in the past (with many that are not currently on display) as well as old documents related to the history of lambic, and Cantillon’s history. Jean also discusses other beer styles that he likes. These include pilsners, with the Italian-made Tipo Pils being a favorite, as well as saisons, and some fruited sours that are not made via spontaneous fermentation, but that are nevertheless great beers in their own right. Jean also speaks about what he feels is one of his most interesting marriages of lambic and wine: La Vie est Belge, a collaboration with winemaker Stéphane Tissot of Domaine André et Mireille Tissot, in France. During a 2019 visit, Jean had this to say: “We used freshly emptied Vin Jaune wine barrels from France, with yeast and a small amount of wine still inside. We then filled them with wort from our coolship. The 2019 vintage of La Vie est Belge is a blend of lambic aged for two years in freshly emptied Vin Jaune barrels, and lambic aged for one year in freshly emptied Vin Jaune barrels.” Jean also discusses what he drinks with friends at Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (Union SG) Football Club matches: before, during, and after the games. This discussion continues in part 5.
