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Description

A Kriek is a type of fruit lambic made with sour cherries. In Flemish, the word "Kriek" means sour cherry. While some non-lambic beers also use the word Kriek in their names, this page will refer only to Krieks which are lambics.

Kriek is one of the most common and oldest types of fruit lambic. Kriek production dates at least to the beginning of the 1900s, if not earlier[1] (see also Cantillon Framboise). Bottled Kriek can be found both carbonated and still, with bottles labeled "Kriek" or "Oude Kriek" generally found carbonated and bottles with labels such as "Kriek lambiek" and "Kriekenlambik" generally uncarbonated.

Kriek terminology receives some legal protection in the EU. For example the terms "Kriek" and "Kriekenlambiek" denote certain specific process requirements (e.g. fermentation, age, cherry content) and final beer characteristics[2]. Similarly, the terms "Oude Kriek" and "Vieille Kriek" denote specific process and final beer characteristics as for "Kriek-Lambic", as well as additional final beer parameters, a secondary refermentation in the package and aging on lees[3] (see also Lambic Regulation).

Kriek production

Modern krieks are generally produced by macerating whole fresh or frozen cherries with lambic, though some less traditional producers use cherry-flavored syrups. Fermentation and aging of krieks often takes place in stainless steel tanks, though sometimes Kriek is produced in oak barrels. Fruiting rates, maceration times and the ages of lambic used varies between producers and specific products. For example, Brasserie Cantillon reports using 2 year old lambic and a maceration time of 1-2 months to produce Cantillon Kriek, which is blended back with young lambic for carbonation and to reach a final fruiting rate of 200 g/L before bottling[4]. Cantillon's Lou Pepe Kriek also uses 2 year old lambic, but has a fruiting ratio of 300 g/L and is not blended back with young lambic,ref name = CantillonBrochure/>. Brouwerij 3 Fonteinen uses a maceration time of roughly 6 months [5]. Brouwerij Boon macerates young lambic with cherries in oak vats for 6-8 months to produce Oude Kriek Mariage Parfait and macerates 1 year old lambic with cherries in steel tanks to produce Oude Kriek, both of which have a fruiting ratio of 400 g/L[6][7]. Oud Beersel also reports a fruit ratio of 400 g/L[8].

Cherry types and cherry origin also varies between different brewers and blenders and between different products. Due to the limited availability of traditional Belgian sour cherries, such as Schaerbeek cherries, many producers are now sourcing other varieties of cherries from abroad. However, with a growing interest in traditional Schaerbeek cherries, some breweries are involved in projects to expand local production of this variety.

Historic production

Historic kriek production took place in wooden barrels or fouders. Square openings in the tops of barrels made it easier to get fruit into and out of the barrels. Older barrels with square bungs can still be seen in the cellars of some lambic producers; however, these are much less common than the typical round bung barrels in use today.

Commercial Examples of Kriek

Below is a brief list of some traditional (unsweetened, bottle conditioned) Krieks. A more comprehensive list of Krieks can be found on theindividual pages for lambic brewers and blenders.

Krieks made with Schaerbeek cherries

References

  1. ↑ Petit Journal du Brasseur (1907). p.531-532 & 547-548
  2. ↑ TSG for Kriek
  3. ↑ TSG for Oude Kriek
  4. ↑ Brasserie Cantillon - Tour Brochure (English)
  5. ↑ 3 Fonteinen Oude Kriek labels
  6. ↑ Boon Oude Kriek Mariage Parfait
  7. ↑ Oude Kriek Boon
  8. ↑ Oud Beersel Oude Kriek
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