Beer: Lindemans Kriek

Brewery: Lindemans Vlezenbeek , Belgium

Overview: Lindemans brews the most widely distributed variety of lambics that I am aware of.  I have heard anecdotally that they are not the prime examples of lambic beers, which is a style of fermenting beers with naturally occurring wild yeasts and resulting in a souring effect on the beer.  The Kriek is a cherry-infused fruit lambic, and my first choice to see how Lindemans stands up to my own palate.  I scheduled this review for Valentine's Day, because a delicious cherry pink beer seems to perfectly fit the occasion.

Aroma: Ludens Cherry cough drops with a mild hint of the tart sour undertones.  Like cherry sours from an old time candy store.  Get more of the sour malt flavor when nose tires of the cherries.

Appearance: Pours red like cranberry juice with an enormous frothy pink head like the top of a thick strawberry milkshake.

Flavor: Smooth cherries, like a juice.  Carbonation understated, and lends to an easy drink and soft mouthfeel.  Tartness there, but not overwhelming, and sour notes very understated, unlike a gueuze.  Tart cherry leaves some drying on the tongue.

Overall Impression: Absolutely delicious as an after-dinner beer.  Sweet and smooth with a delicious cherry flavor that would easily complement any chocolate desserts or other sweets.  This is a beer for non-beer lovers, who want a sweet and yet refreshing beverage that still packs some kick.  Clearly more reminiscent of a cherry wine or champagne than a heavy beer flavor, and one of the best tasting beverages I've reviewed.

Vitals:
Style Fruit Lambic
Price $10.99/750 ML bottle
Found In Regional Liquor Store
Alcohol Content ...
Availability Year-round

Rating: 98