The 12 ft tall witch is a mythical creature that has captured the imagination of people for centuries. With its towering height and magical abilities, the 12 ft tall witch is often depicted as a powerful and intimidating figure. Legends and folklore often associate the 12 ft tall witch with dark and malevolent powers. It is believed that she possesses the ability to cast spells, brew potions, and manipulate supernatural forces to her advantage. Some stories even suggest that she has the power to control the weather and cause harm to those who cross her path. In many cultures, the 12 ft tall witch is seen as the epitome of evil and is often used as a cautionary tale to teach children about the consequences of disobeying or engaging in morally wrong behavior.

Thanks to the magic lantern: lambic is (slightly) older than we thought

It will happen someday: my book on the history of Belgian beers. Already I’m working on a timeline, not unlike the one featured in my book on lost Dutch beers, published in 2017: an overview of which beer types existed from when, and in many cases, when they disappeared. Therefore, I keep on looking for the earliest (and latest) mentions of certain beers. Since when have we known white beer, grisette, Flemish old brown and saison? That’s why I was happy as a pig in muck last week, when I found a new starting date for one of my favourite beer types: lambic. And it has everything to do with a magic lantern.

As beer lovers know, lambic is a beer type from the Brussels region, in Belgium. Still brewed traditionally with spontaneous fermentation. ‘Traditionally’ is not just a buzz word here: many lambic breweries are still housed in old crooked buildings, where not even one little cobweb in the attic is ever changed. Spontaneous fermentation, which means that fermentation starts without the brewer actively adding any yeast, is strongly dependent on the micro-organisms that happen to be in the air in the building’s direct surroundings. Today, lambic aged for a few years in wooden barrels is the base beer from which the varieties gueuze, faro, kriek and various other fruit beers are blended.

But since when has lambic been around? It has been claimed that it is ‘the oldest beer style’, which assumes that during the Middle Ages all beers were spontaneously fermented, but that notion can easily be dismissed. And then there is the ‘recipe’ allegedly written down in 1559 in the city of Halle. A closer study has taught us that it is a description of beers called ‘keute’ and ‘houppe’, which were more of a kind of white beer.

No, lambic isn’t nearly as old as that. In the late 17th century, Brussels knew beers called Dobbel, Bras-pennincx and small beer.[1] In any case, in Western Europe, the trend of ageing beers seems to date from the 18th century. Therefore it is only in 1721, this year exactly 300 years ago, that the first lambic-like beer in Brussels is attested. In those days the Dutch adventurer and multi-talent Jacob Campo Weyerman, born in an army camp near Charleroi, wrote his own little magazine called De Rotterdamse Hermes. In the issue of 14 August 1721 he related the tale of a cabinetmaker in Brussels, who had won the great sum of three thousand golden coins while playing cards. A great host of relatives came to congratulate him, and he treated them to brandy, sweet buns, salted fish and an enormous ‘expenditure of beer from Leuven, Faro, kaves from Lier, Hoegaerts and similar drunkard’s sherbets’[2] At the time, the white beer of Leuven, the caves of Lier and the beer of Hoegaarden all were well-known beer types in what is now Belgium, and from then on faro was apparently also part of the list.

In those days, faro very likely was not sweetened as it is today, and it must have been a beer type of its own, and not a blend from something else. After all, lambic did not exist yet, and as late as the 1820s, in the records of the Scheepje brewery in Haarlem (in Holland, where they brewed faro and lambic as an imitation of the Brussels originals), there are separate brews of faro, next to brews of lambic.[3] As a matter of interest, there already was a beer called pharo or faro in 16th and 17th-century Holland and Zeeland, but we know little on how it was made, and it seems to have been largely extinct there by the time it resurfaced in Brussels.[4]

After 1721, it would take some time before we hear more on faro from Brussels. In 1775 a brewer in Asse (some 13 km outside Brussels) paid his tithes with three barrels of faro, and in 1783 it was observed that the people of Mons preferred the beers of Mechelen, Leuven, Hoegaarden or ‘the beer of Brussels that is called faro’ to their local brews.[5]

But what about lambic, and where does that name come from? It has been explained as a form of Latin ‘lambere’ (to lick), Spanish ‘el ambiguo’ (‘the ambiguous one’) or the placename Lembeek. However, the sources tell us that during the first decades of its existence, it was known as ‘alambic’ or ‘allambique’. This clearly refers to the French, originally Arabic term ‘alambic’, which means ‘still’, as in ‘kettle used for distilling beverages’. The ‘a’ at the beginning slowly eroded until it was gone.

Since when has lambic been around then? In 1996, archivist Thierry Delplancq found a document dated 21 November 1794, describing a dispute between an innkeeper and a certain brewer’s widow Van Assche on four barrels of ‘allambique’ worth 32 pounds a barrel.[6]

At that moment, the territory that is now Belgium had just been conquered by revolutionary France, and to well-known lambic brewer Frank Boon this is what explained the name (a)lambic: as the French had banned distilling gin at a certain moment, the distillers who secretly continued working, allegedly masked their activities by also making a beer named after their still. A claim easily debunked by critical blogger Raf Meert: the mention of the widow’s four barrels of allambique predates the French distilling ban by over a month. On top of that, Raf provided a slightly older source: on 10 September 1794 the French fixed maximum prices for various foodstuffs in Brussels, among which those of faro (at 22 to 24 pounds) and ‘alembic’ (at 30 to 32 pounds).[7]

For some time, 10 September 1794 has been considered the oldest reference to lambic. But now I’ve found another source, which tells us that this beer type is yet another few years older. A source that lifts it from the era of the French Revolution back to the Ancien Régime that came before.

Since 1715, most of the area that is now Belgium was controlled by Austria. The Belgians had to conform themselves to whatever was decided in Vienna by the emperor. In the 1780s, Joseph II, influenced by the Enlightenment, started introducing all sorts of modernisations. The sort of innovations that would not sound so bad to our ears: limiting the influence of the Catholic church, granting more rights to Jews, and introducing a uniform code of law replacing the labyrinth of local bylaws.

Yet, in the so-called Austrian Netherlands people were not eager to adopt all these novelties and in any case they wanted to finally have their own say on their fate. It was in this context that in 1787 a pamphlet was printed titled La lanterne magique du Brabant, which means ‘The magic lantern of Brabant’.[8]

A magic lantern was an optical instrument, similar to a slideshow projector (or nowadays: a video projector), projecting images on the wall. Throughout the 18th century, it was a popular form of entertainment, used in performances by travelling artists, often in the homes of the wealthy. At the same time, the 18th century was the age of the pamphlet: thin booklets, addressing various political themes, often with humoristic texts. In a way, they were the satirical news websites of their time. For a while, various pamphlets were published that supposedly described a magic lantern performance, as a vehicle for a political message. Not unlike a Youtube parody of a well-known tv programme. La lanterne magique du Brabant was one of the first of this type.[9]

The actual pamphlet is rather hard to follow for a 21th century reader, lampooning many politicians of the time. It consists of only eight pages, and describes an artist hauling from Savoye, walking through the streets of Brussels, until he is invited into a home to provide a show with the magic lantern. In the first image shown, we supposedly see Brussels lawyer Hendrik van der Noot, who two years later would lead an actual uprising against the emperor. And then, in the third image, we see a Brussels street, where bonfires have been lit. Candles and Chinese lanterns everywhere, and as a sign of joy there are fountains of ‘le faro, l’alembic, le punch’![10]

So there it is. Lambic turns out to be another seven years older than we thought. Interestingly, this aligns with a text from 1829, in which Leuven-based doctor of medicine Jean-Baptiste Vrancken mentions a 42-year old lambic. A short calculation tells us that it would date from 1787 as well. Vrancken tells us four people drank of this old lambic, who all quickly got plastered.[11]

Unfortunately, little is known of this ‘primordial’ lambic and faro. In 1799 however, Jacobus Buys, a brewer from Klundert in the Netherlands, did already describe the spontaneous fermentation and the long keeping times of the beers of Brussels: ‘In Brussels, the brewers do not draw any yeast from their brown beer, that they deliver to customers that keep it for the entire summer, and it tastes and ages, once it has become old and mature, very well.’[12]

Another early description where we recognise the typical properties of faro and lambic can be found in a French medical dictionary from 1812: ‘The rich beers of Brussels are headier and less nutritive, and can be sent over considerable distances: the faro, by its smell and taste very punchy and alcoholic, somewhat approaches certain old ciders and perries, and it has, like these drinks, stimulating and even somewhat irritating qualities; the alambic is even stronger and headier, especially when it has been aged: both could be used to treat adynamic fevers, instead of wine. The best double beers of Paris, Amiens etc. are much weaker and could not be used with the same amount of success.’[13]

All in all, there remains a lot of research to be done on the history of lambic. But as you can see, new sources keep surfacing, new pieces that can make the puzzle a little bit more complete each time. It will only make the delicious gueuze, today still produced as of old, taste even better.

Cantillon Magic Lambic

Brewery: Brasserie Cantillon
Country: Belgium
ABV: 5.5%
Style: Belgian Lambic (Fruit)
Other Notes: aka Cantillon Framboise Vanille (RateBeer). Blend of 80% Lou Pepe Framboise and 20% Blueberry lambic with vanilla

Brewer Description: (from lambic.info) A lambic blend of 80% Lou Pepe Framboise and 20% blueberry lambic with vanilla.

(from bottle) (in French) Il n’y a pas que des gens bons à la tête de l’art… privé de subsides, le Magic Land Théâtre peut heureusement compter sur ses amis, au premier rang desquels la Brasserie Cantillon!

(Translated from French as best possible) There are not only good people at the helm of art… deprived of subsidies, the Magic Land Theatre can happily count on it’s friends, first and foremost the Cantillon Brewery!

My rating: 5
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.89
My ratebeer.com rating: 4.8

Intro: A 750ml corked and capped bottle at the brewery, with no clear bottled on or best before date, but I think it would be from Season 18/19. Poured into a Cantillon stemmed tasting glass.
Appearance: A very nice clear ruby cherry red colour with a half finger pinkish head that had pretty good retention and that eventually settled to a ring around the glass with some decent spotty lacing.
Aroma: Raspberry, cherry, jammy, vanilla and berry jello.
Taste: Tastes like you’d expect from the aroma, but almost ice cream like because of the vanilla. Lots of raspberry, cherry, jammy, berry jello and vanilla with a touch of oak.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied with moderate to soft carbonation.
Overall: Wow, near perfect in my opinion. Must try if you have the opportunity to try this. Just great jammy and jello fruitiness with lots of raspberry, cherry and vanilla.

Cantillon - Magic Lambic - 75cl - 1 bottles

Magic Lambic Cantillon is a blend of Lambic with 80% raspberries, 20% blueberries and vanilla. This cuvée was originally created to support the Magic Land Theater in Schaerbeek, which was in danger of closing in 2018. Rare bottle not available at the brewery anymore !

Cantillon - Magic Lambic - 75cl - 1 bottles

Magic Lambic Cantillon is a blend of Lambic with 80% raspberries, 20% blueberries and vanilla. This cuvée was originally created to support the Magic Land Theater in Schaerbeek, which was in danger of closing in 2018.

Rare bottle not available at the brewery anymore !

In many cultures, the 12 ft tall witch is seen as the epitome of evil and is often used as a cautionary tale to teach children about the consequences of disobeying or engaging in morally wrong behavior. She is often depicted as a terrifying figure with long, gnarled fingers, a crooked nose, and a wicked cackle that sends shivers down the spine. Despite her reputation for wickedness, some stories also portray the 12 ft tall witch as a complex character with layers of complexity.

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She is sometimes depicted as a misunderstood being, ostracized by society and forced to live in seclusion. These narratives explore themes of empathy and the consequences of judging others based on appearances. In popular culture, the 12 ft tall witch has been depicted in various forms, from classic literature to films and TV shows. She is often portrayed as the primary antagonist, pitted against the hero or protagonist who must overcome her formidable powers to save the day. The 12 ft tall witch continues to captivate the imagination of people of all ages, serving as a reminder of the power of storytelling and the enduring allure of mythical creatures. Whether feared or sympathized with, she remains an iconic figure in folklore and an integral part of our cultural narratives..

Reviews for "Songs from the Shadows: The Eerie Verse of the 12 ft Tall Witch"

1. Rebecca - 2 stars - I was really excited to watch "12 ft tall witch," but I was left disappointed. The storyline was weak and predictable, and the acting felt forced and unconvincing. The special effects were also quite cheesy and didn't add any value to the film. Overall, I found it to be a lackluster experience and wouldn't recommend it to anyone seeking a thrilling or captivating horror film.

2. John - 1 star - "12 ft tall witch" was an absolute letdown. The title led me to believe that I was in for a terrifying and intense horror film, but what I got was a poorly executed mess. The plot was underdeveloped, and the characters lacked depth, making it difficult to connect or care about their fate. The scares were far from chilling, and instead, I found myself rolling my eyes at the illogical and predictable sequences. Save your time and skip this one.

3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "12 ft tall witch," but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The pacing was off, with long stretches of dull dialogue and minimal action. Additionally, the performances were lackluster, with the actors failing to bring depth or believability to their roles. While there were a few creepy moments, they were overshadowed by the film's overall lack of suspense and originality. I regretfully cannot recommend this movie.

4. David - 1.5 stars - "12 ft tall witch" was a disappointing attempt at a horror film. The scares felt forced, and the storyline was not well-developed. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth, making it challenging to invest in their plight. Furthermore, the cinematography and special effects were subpar, failing to create a truly eerie atmosphere. Overall, this film fell flat in its attempt to deliver an engaging and frightening experience, leaving me unimpressed.

5. Sarah - 2.5 stars - I had mixed feelings about "12 ft tall witch." While there were some genuinely creepy moments, the movie as a whole failed to captivate me. The pacing was inconsistent, with long periods of monotony followed by sudden bursts of action. The plot lacked originality and felt contrived, and the character development was shallow. Additionally, the film relied too heavily on jump scares, sacrificing genuine suspense and tension. It had its moments, but overall, "12 ft tall witch" left much to be desired.

Defying Gravity: The Supernatural Abilities of the 12 ft Tall Witch