What are the different styles of Kriek beer?
Kriek is Belgian cherry beer. Traditional kriek is lambic aged on sour cherries and tastes tart and dry. Other styles include sweeter commercial krieks made with cherry juice or syrup, krieks based on Flemish red or oud bruin, and American sour krieks.
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In this article
What is kriek?
Kriek is a Belgian sour beer flavored with cherries. It ranges from tart and dry to dessert-sweet depending on how it is made, so the label matters.
The main styles of kriek
| Style | How it is made | Taste |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional kriek lambic | Spontaneously fermented lambic aged in oak, refermented with sour cherries, blended with young lambic and bottled to carbonate naturally | Tart, dry, funky |
| Sweetened commercial kriek | Often filtered, pasteurized beer with cherry juice, essence or syrup | Sweeter, fruit-juice like |
| Oud bruin or Flemish red kriek | A different Belgian sour base with cherries | Malty, sour |
| American kriek | Craft brewers add cherries to sour beers | Varies widely |
Enthusiasts often regard the sweetened commercial versions as less authentic, but many people enjoy them. Both are on shelves.
Related fruit lambics
- Framboise: raspberry.
- Peche: peach.
- Cassis: black currant.
How to choose
- Look for the words “lambic” or “oude kriek” for a traditional, tarter beer.
- Look for “cherry flavor”, “juice” or “sweetened” for a sweeter one.
- Check ABV, which varies by maker.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every kriek is sour: many bottles are sweet, so read the label before serving it to guests who dislike sweet drinks.
- Serving it ice cold, which hides the cherry aroma and the subtle sourness.
- Expecting juice-like strength: it is still beer, and the alcohol content varies by maker.
- Keeping an opened bottle for days; the carbonation and aroma fade, so finish it within a day if possible.
Serving and food
Serve cool in a tulip or flute glass. Tart krieks go with soft cheeses, duck, chocolate or fruit desserts, while sweeter ones work as dessert on their own. Kriek is a beer and contains alcohol, even when it tastes like fruit juice.
People also ask
Is kriek sweet?
Traditional kriek is tart and dry. Many commercial krieks are sweetened with cherry juice or syrup.
What is kriek made from?
Beer, usually lambic, refermented with sour cherries. Some use oud bruin or Flemish red ale.
What is the difference between kriek and framboise?
Kriek uses cherries; framboise uses raspberries.
Sources
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