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Belgian Kriek-style beer: more than just a cherry

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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!

 

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