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Belgian beer Kriek (Scream) is prepared by the method of spontaneous fermentation in barrels that were previously used for aging wines. This method is called lambic.
The history of Kriek beer
The documents contain information that during the period of the Crusades (XI-XV centuries), one of the crusaders wanted to make a blood-colored drink, as a symbol of the blood of Jesus Christ. To do this, he changed the recipe, adding the darkest cherry that he could find. The resulting taste was a real surprise, and the recipe is still popular today.
How Kriek beer is made
Early sour cherry recipes used sour, Morello varieties. Now beer is made from overripe cherries. An incision is made on the fruit and added to a dry sour lambic aged for at least a year. Beer needs 650 liters per 100 kilograms of cherries. The resulting mixture is distributed over the barrels and left alone until the berries are completely dissolved. This takes 6 to 9 months. Then the beer goes through the filtration process, is bottled and rests for another year.
There were no sweeteners in the classic recipe, but modern producers sometimes resort to them so that the beer does not come out very tart and sour.
Types of Kriek beer
Lindemans Kriek, 3,5%
One of the iconic products of the Lindemans Brewery. This vibrant beer has an arsenal of awards, including gold medals from the World Beer Awards Beer Recognition and International Awards, as well as platinum medals from the World Brewing Congress and World Beer Championship.
The drink has a rich red-pink color and a pronounced aroma of ripe cherries. The taste of this drink is pleasant and sparkling, like cherry champagne.
Timmermans Kriek Lambicus, 4%
The oldest lambic among Belgian fruit-based beers. Brewed near Brussels, in the Pajottenland region. The recipe has not changed for 300 years. The composition includes not only cherry and elderberry juice, but also whole cherries.
John Martin Brewery was founded in 1909 in Belgium. By the end of the 1808th century, the company acquired the Timmermans company, which had existed since XNUMX. The brewery follows centuries-old traditions and uses only natural ingredients.
The beer is light in taste, sweetish with unobtrusive sourness from ruby-colored cherries with white foam, which settles quickly. The aroma is bright, similar to sweet cherry compote.
Konix Brewery, Cherie Cherry Kriek, 5%
Craft beer from concentrated cherry juice, barley and wheat malt. Produced at the private brewery Konix Brewery in limited quantities. The company is Russian, appeared in 2015. The products managed to win the trust of consumers due to the high quality and skill of the brewers.
A pale ruby beer with a rich, creamy head. The taste of sweet cherry, which is replaced by bitterness from hops in the aftertaste. Smells like cherry syrup with nuances of bitter cherry pits. In general, the beer is more bitter than sour.
Corsendonk Double Kriek, 8,7%
Belgian strong pale ale of the dubbel subspecies. The brewery was founded in the mid-1390s by the daughter of John III in the monastery of Oud-Turnhout. The company operated with varying success, periodically closing, until it was revived in 1982 by Jeff Henkrikus. He did not bring it to a commercial level, for him it was an occupation for the winter, while it was impossible to work on the farm. But the high quality of raw materials and water from the farm did their job. The products began to enjoy success among consumers, the production got on a commercial footing.
Beer has a rich cherry color. Foam pale pink, rises high. Beer is distinguished by its strength, cherry flavor and hints of malt. Berry aroma.
Neuzeller Kloster-Brau, cherry beer, 4,8%
Dark beer made from cherry and elderberry juice. The composition includes only natural ingredients. The history of the brewery began in 1416 on the territory of the Neuzelle monastery. Beer is brewed with the preservation of the traditions of the monks, proven over the centuries. The company’s slogan: “Every beer is original.” Most of the production remains at home, in Germany, but the beer is exported to the markets of many countries.
Beer dark ruby color, little foam. Soft taste is woven from shades of sweet cherry and cherry. Drinks easily. It looks like cherry juice, which is slightly bitter. The aroma is sweetish from cherries and bitter from hops.
How and with what to drink Kriek
Cherry ale is served chilled to 4–7 °C.
From snacks will be in harmony with fruit. It will be an excellent aperitif. Suitable for pairing in summer cocktails.
Relevance: 03.06.2020
Tags: Beer, Cider, Ale, Types of beer