Belgian Kriek-style beer: more than just a cherry
Cherry beer has long occupied a separate niche among foamy beverages - the taste of this berry is so harmoniously blended into the bouquet that the trend has its own connoisseurs. And the most popular among the cherry brews is Kriek - a traditional Belgian beer of bright ruby color, which has a unique taste and rich aroma. But why is it so beloved by beer fans?
From history
Kriek is not even a variety, but a separate style. It is based on lambic, a beer made by spontaneous fermentation and only in Belgium. The wort is left in open vats, where "wild" yeasts - microorganisms that are found only in the valley of the river Senna - get in from the air. Because the spontaneous fermentation process is completely uncontrollable, each batch of lambic has a unique flavor, which is why beer connoisseurs love it.
Kriek differs from ordinary lambic by adding cherry juice or whole berries with pips before filtration. The mixture is not fermented, but kept for at least six months, until the beer reaches the right consistency.
The first such drink was brewed many years ago in Scharbeck brewery - local craftsmen decided to add to the product the fruit of sour cherries, which grew near the production site. And they were right: the taste of the berry turned out to be just right, and the drink itself acquired a beautiful ruby color as well.
And today?
These days, brewers don't rely on fate - the cherries for Kriek beer are grown on purpose. Most of the time they are Morello, ideally from the Brussels area. The result is a rather sour and tart beer with a rich, velvety flavor. For those who like it sweeter, producers offer a cherry-based kriek of sweet varieties, but do not immediately take the path of least resistance - you should first try to make friends with the original drink.
Belgian Kriek cherry beer has a lot to love: despite the moderate strength of 5-6%, it is a great warming in the cold. And it is also extremely pleasant to drink: in addition to cherries, you can feel the nutty tones and light floral notes in the taste. And, of course, there is nothing without the traditional flavor characteristics of lambic - old leather, wet earth and horse blanket.
The Belgian Kriek cherry beer should be consumed correctly - chilled to +8 degrees, from tall glasses or standard-sized hollow glasses. And ideally, do not snack: this way the taste of cherry lambic opens up even better.
If you can't taste Kriek in Belgium, come to a beer restaurant that honors the traditions of the country. Like any of the Lambic Brasserie - they serve cherry beers in style!
Japanese beer Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager
It is tacitly believed that the best beer is brewed in Europe — Belgium, Germany and the Czech Republic. However, there are other countries which produce high-quality foam, it is just that it is not so popular in Russia. For example, Japan. Connoisseurs will confirm: it is almost impossible to find tasteless beer in the land of the rising sun. On the shelves of Japanese stores there are both classic varieties and unusual labels. A bright representative of the latter is Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager. Let’s find out what exactly it is good for. Freshness and harmony The original Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager is brewed on the basis of Hitachino Nest Lager light lager, but with a secret ingredient. Yuzu juice, or Japanese citron, is added to the drink. Thanks to this fruit, the taste and aroma of the beer acquires characteristic citrus notes, refreshing sourness and piquant bitterness. In addition to yuzu itself, the flavor of Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager has notes of tangerine, grapefruit, malt and hops. And in addition to the citrus sourness, the full-bodied flavor also shows light malt notes. Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager is so refreshing and drinkable that it is often consumed without gastronomic accompaniment, as an aperitif. It is the perfect drink for hot weather or to quench thirst. This beer can also be served with light appetizers, salads and seafood. A bit of history If you want to delve more into Japanese beer culture, it’s also worth learning more about the maker of Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager. This is a Kiuchi company founded by Kiuchi Nihei in the city of Naka in 1823. Initially, the company only produced sake, and later switched to other alcohols such as wine, liqueurs, and beer. In 1996, Kiuchi put beer production on stream by opening its own mini-brewery, Hitachino Nest. Hitachino is the old name of the province, which in ancient times was known for its fertile soils and abundant crops of grains from which excellent beer was brewed. Kiuchi products have repeatedly received prestigious awards at beer competitions and festivals, not only in Japan, but also abroad. The beer is appreciated for its excellent taste and quality, and the company itself is appreciated for its loyalty to tradition: since its foundation, for almost two centuries, it has been owned by the same family. Looking for a place to try Japanese beer in Moscow? Come to any Lambic beer restaurant. We have many interesting varieties that will pleasantly surprise you!
24 March 2025
Summer lambics: refresh yourself with a fruity beer from Belgium
When the thermometer is high, nothing is as refreshing as a cold beer. Especially if it’s lambics — a traditional Belgian sour beer with natural juice, which not only gives a pleasant coolness, but also pleases with deep flavor. Why fruit beer saves you in the heat Light sourness, sparkling «character» and juicy fruit notes make lambics an ideal drink for summer. Unlike heavy ales or bitter IPAs, fruit beers are easy to drink, almost like lemonade, but with a distinctive beer depth. It stimulates the appetite, quenches thirst and gives a feeling of freshness thanks to the natural juices in the composition — cherry, raspberry, peach or other fruits and berries. What to choose The best option for hot weather — sour lambics, which do not leave an unpleasant feeling of lusciousness, like a sweeter beer or soda. For example, the classic cherry Kriek MAX. The bright flavor of ripe berries and pleasant sourness make it perfect for a hot day. «Kriek» is not too sweet, with a slight tartness and a long aftertaste. If you like softer, sweeter options, Lindemans Pecheresse is your choice. This peach lambic has a honeyed and fruity bouquet, a light sparkle and velvety texture, and a slight acidity and refreshing note in the finish. A variant for cider lovers, but it’s still a lambic — Lindemans Apple. The drink has a bright rich taste, which perfectly balances the sweetness of red and sourness of green apples, pleasant aroma and refreshing aftertaste. Perfect for a hot day! How to drink lambics in the heat For a beer to be truly refreshing, proper serving is important. Lambics should be: — Cool down to 6-8°C — this will reveal all the nuances of flavor, but will not lose the freshness.— Serve in tall glasses — the flavor will «play». If desired, you can add ice to the drink, but do not get carried away — there is a chance to «dilute» the deep flavor of Lambic. And it is better to just have to go to Lambic! In our beer restaurants — a large selection of varieties from Belgium and other countries of the world. Proper serving of drinks, delicious food, cozy atmosphere and excellent service are guaranteed!
21 June 2025