Online ordering link up as of 9/2

(Bloomington, IN) – Within the last couple weeks, news has filtered through the channels about the return of Upland Brewing’s popular Belgian-style Lambic ales. The beers, which can be spotted atop Upland’s beer ratings at RateBeer, will be made available this coming fall. All seven styles, three are new this year, can be reserved beginning September 1.

With the 2008 release, Upland Brewing will bring three new flavors into the mix: Cherry, Peach, and Kiwi. They will join Strawberry, Raspberry, Blackberry, and Blueberry. The Upland Lambic series debuted last fall and effectively put Upland Brewing on the beer connoisseurs’ map. Beer reviewers have put the new beers right next to those of Belgian masters, Cantillon and 3 Fonteinen, both of which have been brewing the style for many decades. In doing so, it appears as though Upland’s take on the Lambic style has easily surpassed that of any prior American brewery.

The reservation window will close on September 15 and the limit is a case per person and no more than three bottles of a single style. It is possible that some of them will sell out before the 15th considering the attention that they have earned. This despite Caleb Staton, Head Brewer, quadrupling the size of this year’s batch to help meet the expected demand. According to Scott Johnson, Marketing Ops Manager, the beers sold out in less than a month last year. He says that what is leftover will see some distribution with local retailers as well. [ed: We should also note that these beers cannot be ordered and shipped online; only picked up at the brewery though we haven’t confirmed this.]

As far as more details about the brewing process, we don’t have much as Staton was overseas when we contacted Upland. Tidbits that we were able to dig up… According to the site, “The Lambics have been fermenting in oak barrels supplied by Oliver Winery for more than 1 year.” Last year, they used whole fruit from Huber Orchard based in Starlight, Indiana, during the secondary fermentation. Staton also told Brewers of Indian Guild last month that the kiwi batch required 100 lbs. of the Chilean Fruit.

On a side note, Upland will launch Preservation Pilsner on July 17 at Chumley’s. It will become a regular offering at select Indiana taps.