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!
Fourchette Blonde beer: created by the best
Despite the fact that beer can be both expensive and unique, it is not often served at high receptions. For some reason, it is tacitly considered to be a less refined beverage than, for example, wine or champagne. But Fourchette Blonde can give a head start even to collector’s labels — both in terms of taste and history of origin. In this article we will tell you what this variety is, what makes it so famous and why it should be served at least in Michelin restaurants. One such Fourchette Blonde is probably the most gastronomic beer in the world. And it’s all about the fact that the best chefs in Belgium took part in its creation. Especially for this performance Van Steenberge brewery gathered in 2017 in Ghent, at a specially organized event, 11 recognized masters of their craft. And a unique format began. The vast experience of the Van Steenberge brewers and the exquisite taste of the best chefs could not fail to bear fruit. Thus came Fourchette Blonde, a multi-grain golden strong ale with an incredibly rich, complex flavor. Most drinkers will perceive it as fruity and floral. Notes of apple, peach and tropical fruits are felt thanks to a unique yeast strain, and wheat malt gives the drink floral and honey nuances. But the real connoisseurs will feel in the flavor also shades of citrus, coriander, nutmeg. But everyone without exception, regardless of the experience of tasting, will appreciate the velvety taste, in which floral freshness and soft bitterness are perfectly balanced. To make Fourchette Blonde, in addition to the traditional water, barley malt, hops and yeast, interesting ingredients were used — wheat, rice and sugar. There seems to be no magic, but that’s just for the first sip. For special occasions Fourchette Blonde is definitely not a beer for every day. The producers themselves also recommend to drink it on special occasions, combining it with exquisite dishes. Fourchette Blonde was invented and realized exclusively for culinary impressions, and the drink gives them in full. Where to try Fourchette Blonde in Moscow, if there are no Michelin restaurants anymore? Come to Lambic beer restaurants! Our drink list includes the best beers from all over the world, including truly unique varieties. And thanks to our extensive menu we will offer a good gastronomic pairing for even the most refined drinks. We look forward to seeing you!
24 March 2025
Winter flavor: A Winter Carol spiced cider
What could be better on a cold winter evening than a spicy warming drink? And we’re not talking about traditional mulled wine or glögg. There is a great alternative among beer drinks as well — for example, A Winter Carol cider. Its name literally translates as «winter history», the manufacturer is domestic — support is always nice, and the taste — above all praise. But about everything in order. Taste the winter A Winter Carol is a luxurious spicy cider from the line of Specials from the Moscow craft brewery Rebel Apple. The drink was inspired by Charles Dickens’ stories, which are as mystical and magical as the cider itself. A Winter Carol is made from pure direct-pressed apple juice with the addition of orange zest, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. The result is a unique drink — bright, with a sweet, mild flavor, in which you can feel the nuances of orange zest, honey and spices for mulled wine. The aroma is rich, apple, with notes of citrus and spices. The producer recommends to consume the cider in its pure habitual form or, if you want to feel the real Christmas spirit, in a slightly heated one. It will be a good gastronomic pairing with pastries (for example, cinnamon buns or gingerbread) and various desserts. Everything you need for a cozy winter dinner! A few words about the manufacturer Rebel Apple is a unique Moscow cidery, the only full-cycle production facility in the capital, where drinks go from the first apple to the final packaging. The company’s creator and ideological inspirer is Alexander Ionov. He is also one of the pioneers of domestic cider-making. He created the first batches of his drinks in his Moscow apartment, where a separate room with air conditioning was allocated for production. Today Rebel Apple is one of the most popular cideries in the country. Apples for the production of drinks are brought here from the best Russian orchards. And all ciders are aged for up to 18 months in neutral containers, oak barrels or bottles. This approach to flavor and quality has already borne fruit: the brand has a lot of fans, and their number continues to grow. Looking for a place to try A Winter Carol cider or other Rebel Apple beverages? Come to any Lambic beer restaurant! Our menu features these and other unique beers from all over the world, as well as a large selection of delicious dishes and always cozy atmosphere. We are waiting for you!
24 March 2025