Cherry flavored: Belgian classic Lindemans Kriek
Every beer trend has its fans, and fruit varieties are no exception. Fruit- or berry-flavored beer is ideal for a hot summer day, when you want something sweet and refreshing at the same time, or to accompany a dessert. Moreover, beer restaurants offer a wide range of such drinks — you can order beer with notes of peach, apple, coconut, strawberry and so on.
But there is one variety that is worth talking about separately. This is a Belgian kriek with a pronounced flavor of juicy cherries. Many breweries offer their own variants of kriek, but the unspoken classic is considered to be the beer from the family brewery Lindemans. Let’s find out why it’s considered special.
Product and producer
The Brouwerij Lindemans brewery dates back to 1822. It is located in the Senna Valley in the small town of Flesenbeek. The air in this area is saturated with special microorganisms. This is what predetermined the fate of the future brewery. These bacteria, or, as they are also called, wild yeast, began to be used to produce lambic — a beer with a pronounced dry cider flavor.
Kriek is one of the varieties of lambic. Before filtration and pasteurization, sour cherry juice is added to the wort, which gives the drink a recognizable taste. A specific variety, Charbecq, which grows in the vicinity of Brussels, is considered to be the benchmark.
Lindemans Kriek is considered to be one of the iconic Lindemans products. The quality and excellent taste of the drink has long been recognized all over the world — the gold medals of the World Beer Awards Beer Recognition and International Awards, as well as platinum medals of the World Brewing Congress and World Beer Championship are proof of this.
Main characteristics
Lindemans Kriek has a juicy full flavor with notes of freshly picked cherries. where acidity and sweetness are in perfect balance, as well as a refreshing berry aroma. It also has a very beautiful color — red, slightly hazy. There is even a beautiful legend about it — it is said that one of the crusaders wanted to create a beer the color of the blood of Jesus Christ. Whether his descendants participated in the production of the cry — it is unknown, but the desire in any case was realized.
Such beer can be served as an aperitif, as well as with pork, poultry or soft cheeses. And you can try it in any restaurant of Lambic chain. We are waiting for you!
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
Summer appetizers for Belgian beer: from seafood to desserts
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy Belgian beer. But what to pair it with? When it’s hot outside, you want something light, fresh, yet rich. And that’s where seafood, cheeses, fruits and desserts come in, which perfectly complement the rich flavors of Belgian brews. Seafood In summer, chilled shrimp with lemon and garlic sauce are especially good — they set off the malty sweetness of pale ales and wheat beers. But other seafood can pair well with Belgian beers, too. Here are some ready-made tips: — Blanche de Bruxelles or Hoegaarden — whizbiers with citrus notes — can be served with mussels and low-fat sauces. — Saison Voisin, a farmhouse ale with a spicy hop bitterness, will accentuate the flavor of grilled oysters or calamari. Cheeses The Belgians know a lot about cheese, and their beers harmonize well with different varieties: — Sharp aged cheeses (such as gorgonzola) are a great pairing for a strong Tripel Karmeliet.— Delicate goat cheeses with honey go perfectly with fruity lambics like Lindemans Kriek. Fruit salads and berries In the heat of the day, it’s especially nice to snack on fresh fruit — it enhances the fruity notes in the drink itself: — Cherries, strawberries, peaches — a win-win for Kriek or Framboise.— A fruit salad with citrus and mint is a refreshing pairing for a blanche, such as Corsendonk Blanche. Desserts If you want to end the evening on a sweet note, give these a try: — Waffles with berries and whipped cream — duo with St. Bernardus Abt 12 or Chimay Blue.— Lemon tart — will emphasize the citrus tones of the vitbiers or lambics.— Chocolate desserts — the perfect accompaniment for Kasteel Rouge, Petrus Aged Red and Delirium RED, as well as all chocolate and coffee varieties. And remember: summer appetizers should be light and should accentuate, not overpower, the flavor of the beer. It is best to serve them chilled to keep the balance and enjoy every sip. Come to Lambic — in our beer restaurants you will find the best beer from all over the world and the perfect accompaniment to it. We look forward to seeing you!
21 June 2025