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!
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