Kriek beer: history, how it's made, review of 5 brands + how and what to drink

1) The history of Kriek beer
2) How Kriek beer is made
3) Types of Kriek beer
4) How and with what to drink Kriek

Belgian Kriek beer is brewed by spontaneous fermentation in barrels that were previously used for aging wines. This method is called lambic.

The history of Kriek beer

The documents contain information that during the Crusades (XI-XV centuries) one of the crusaders wanted to make a blood-colored drink as a symbol of the blood of Jesus Christ. To do this, he changed the recipe by adding the darkest cherries he could find. The resulting taste was a real surprise, and the recipe is still popular today.

How Kriek beer is made

Early recipes used sour cherries, Morello varieties. Now the beer is made from overripe cherries. The fruit is cut and added to a sour, dry lambic aged for at least a year. Beer requires 650 liters per 100 kilograms of cherries. The resulting mixture is distributed into barrels and left alone until the berries are completely dissolved. It takes from 6 to 9 months to complete. Then the beer undergoes a filtration process, is poured into containers and rests for another year.

There were no sweeteners in the classic recipe, but modern producers sometimes use them to prevent the beer from turning out too tart and sour.

Types of Kriek beer

Lindemans Kriek, 3.5%

One of the iconic products of the Lindemans Brewery. This bright beer has a whole arsenal of awards, including gold medals at the World Beer Awards Beer Recognition and International Awards, as well as platinum medals at the World Brewing Congress and World Beer Championship competitions.

The drink has a rich red-pink color and a pronounced aroma of ripe cherries. The taste of this drink is pleasant and sparkling, like cherry champagne.
Timmermans Kriek Lambicus, 4%

The oldest lambic among Belgian fruit-based beers. Brewed near Brussels, in the Pajottenland region. The recipe has not changed for 300 years. The composition includes not only cherry and elderberry juice, but also whole cherry berries.

John Martin Brewery was founded in 1909 in Belgium. By the end of the 20th century, the company acquired the Timmermans company, which had existed since 1808. The brewery follows centuries-old traditions and uses only natural ingredients.

The beer is light in taste, sweetish with unobtrusive sourness from ruby-colored cherries with white foam that settles quickly. The aroma is bright, similar to sweet cherry compote.
Konix Brewery, Cherie Cherry Kriek, 5%

Craft beer made from concentrated cherry juice, barley and wheat malt. Produced at the private Konix Brewery in limited quantities. Russian company, founded in 2015. The products have managed to win the trust of consumers due to the high quality and skill of the brewers.

Pale ruby beer with a lush creamy foam. Taste of sweet cherry, which is replaced by bitterness from hops in the aftertaste. It smells like cherry syrup with nuances of bitter cherry pits. In general, the beer is more bitter than sour.
Corsendonk Dubbel Kriek, 8.7%

Belgian strong pale ale of the Dubbel subspecies. The brewery was founded in the mid-1390s by the daughter of John III in the monastery of Aud-Turnhout. The company operated with varying success, periodically closing down, until it was revived in 1982 by Jeff Henrikus. He did not bring it to a commercial level, it was a winter occupation for him, while it was impossible to work on the farm. But the high quality of raw materials and water from the farm did the trick. The products began to enjoy success among consumers, and the production became commercially viable.

The beer has a rich cherry color. The foam is pale pink, rises high. The beer is characterized by strength, cherry flavor and hints of malt. The aroma is berry.
Neuzeller Kloster-Brau, Kirsch Bier, 4.8%

Dark beer made from cherry and elderberry juice. The composition includes only natural ingredients. The history of the brewery began in 1416 on the territory of the Neuzelle monastery. The beer is brewed in accordance with the monks' traditions, tested over the centuries. Company slogan: "Every beer is original". Most of the production remains at home, in Germany, but the beer is exported to the markets of many countries.

Beer has a dark ruby color, not much foam. Mild flavor is woven from shades of cherry and cherry. It is easy to drink. Tastes like cherry juice, which is slightly bitter. Aroma sweet from cherries and bitter from hops.