Lips Of Faith - Transatlantique Kriek - New Belgium Brewing

bulldog91

Illinois

4.41/5  rDev +28.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A - Deep red appearance, cherry tones - no surprise. But not as much carbonation as expected.

S - Some brett/yeast.

T - The sour cherry and fizz work - they were shooting for something different and nailed it. Hints of vinegar but not overpowering. It's refreshing.

M - Fizzy. Not in the glass, but in the mouth for sure.

D - Just really digging this. Like the balance of ale and cherry and not as overpowering in the ABV, either.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 20:47:57 | More by bulldog91

SPThirtyThree

Colorado

4.4/5  rDev +27.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: The pinkest of pink beers. Crystal clear, much like a red wine, but with a frothy two-finger rose head. Carting this beer around the bar in a goblet is actually somewhat emasculating.

S: A lush explosion of authentic, semi-bitter cherry, like that of cherry pie. Faint yeasty Brette notes. Enticing.

T: Sour cherries upfront, Brettanomyces sour tastes all around. The strength of these two flavors masks any hop tastes that might also be present. Neither the cherry taste nor the Brett flavors are overpowering.

M: Smooth, soft, and pleasant. Dry and crisp like a wine.

D: Surprisingly high, considering it's both soured and 8.0% ABV.

I'm not normally much of a sour beer drinker, but this one is excellent.

Serving type: on-tap

11-02-2009 05:08:16 | More by SPThirtyThree

westweasel

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev +26.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 oz. bomber into a New Belgium (talk about having the right glass!) goblet.

The beer pours out a bright medium red with a thin pink head. Even with little foam, I'm still getting lacing left along the glass.

The aroma is filled with cherries front and center, accompanied by barnyard hay, and an acidic smell. The mouthfeel is thin to medium with high carbonation.

You might expect this to be over-the-top cherries, but the initial flavor is some caramel and even toasty malt briefly, followed by cherries, then next acidic sourness, and a very dry finish.

This is a very drinkable sour beer - I cannot believe that this is 8% ABV! You don't get alcohol in the taste or the aroma.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2009 01:30:00 | More by westweasel

nickfl

Florida

4.33/5  rDev +25.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours with a small, not quite one finger, head of white foam with a tinge of pink. The body is a deep, reddish brown with good clarity. The foam settles quickly and leaves only minor lace.

S - A nice aroma of dry, earthy cherries with some pilsner malt sweetness. A little bit of spicy, sour funk in the background with notes of pepper and lactic tartness.

T - Light tartness up front with sour pie cherries and a bit of bready malt. The cherries resolve further around a light herbal hop note in the middle, and while this creates a bit of cough syrup character it isn't as offensive as it sounds and it makes the cherries taste more rich and pie-like. Finishes a bit more tart with moderate malt thickness, light funk, and lots of cherry character.

M - Somewhat thick, syrupy body, moderately high carbonation, and a slightly dry finish.

D - This is a nice drinkable beer with definite lambic/ real fruit character that could serve as a great introduction to the style for a novice. The lambic character isn't as intense as a traditional Kriek, but the fruit is very nice, despite a minor note of cough syrup in the middle. I am not sure why this hasn't been reviewed better than it has been, but I certainly enjoyed it. It was a bit on the expensive side for a beer that was only 55% lambic, but I picked it up at a store that marks its beer up too much IMO, so it may be more reasonable elsewhere. Overall, it is a very drinkable beer that retains a lot of the depth of its base; it is almost a sessionable lambic.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2010 00:26:59 | More by nickfl

UCLABrewN84

California

4.33/5  rDev +25.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a hazy cherry/cranberry juice color with a fizzy small light red head that fades to nothing. No lacing going on.

S - Smells of sour cherries, vinegar, and funky yeast.

T - Sour cherries, vinegar, earthy funk.

M - Super carbonated. Crisp and fizzy.

D - Excellent. Very refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2010 03:07:25 | More by UCLABrewN84

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +23.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Brouwers, served in a snifter type of glass.

Pours a clear ruby red, some dark orange highlighting, thick off white head forms, settles to a solid ring, tons of lace sticks to the glass. Smell is great, fresh cherry juice, oak, quite woody, lemon acidity, charred wood, very fruity, nice sourness, blackberries, good stuff. Taste is similar, tart cherries, fresh fruit salad, lemons, charred wood, nice acidity, sour fruit/cherries near the finish, vanilla, oak, great cherry flavour. Mouthfeel is light bodied with medium to low carbonation, very drinkable stuff, ABV is not apparent at all. Seems like this is much better on tap than in bottles, because this stuff was pretty dope.

Serving type: on-tap

08-27-2009 17:15:26 | More by Viggo

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +23.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

22 oz bottle poured into a New Belgium globe.
8% ABV,

A - Transatlantique Kriek pours a stunning ruby red color with brilliant clarity! I mean, this beer is RED! A tall but fleeting cap of pastel pink foam rests on the beer, gently draping delicate lace on the signature glass.

S - Oddly, the aroma doesn't scream "kriek" with either fruit or funk; instead, Transatlantique Kriek has a subtle aroma of acidic tart cherry skins and crushed black cherry pulp. Trailing closely behind is a mild, approachable nose of wild yeast funk; just a hint of barnyard/horse blanket and a wonderful dry tartness.

T - At 8% ABV, this is a bit bigger than a standard kriek, and it shows through in the flavor and body with it's maltiness. Dry crystal sweetness peeks through with notes of toast before the shift changes to real cherry fruit and the same subtle funk the nose offers. This is no cough-syrup beer, the cherries taste fresh and real; tart and acidic, not sweet, and the mild yeast compliments the fruit well with a nod to the funkier Belgian beers.

M - A decent level of malt elevates the alcohol in this beer while keeping the body more medium but a higher level of carbonation also aids in the feel's "lightness". Very dry, there's just a touch of acidic tartness to the finish; pretty light for a kriek, though the ever-so-slight metallic hint at the end is more what bothers me.

O - New Belgium's Transatlantique Kriek is an excellent entry-level kriek that completely abandons the sugary "fruit beer" notion and focuses on engaging real cherry flavor and tartness with very subtle yeast funkiness. It's approachable and enjoyable. So when I say "entry-level", it means die-hard Belgian kriek fans may find themselves disappointed in the lack of yeast funkiness and sour bite to the finish, but by no means is this anything less than awesome.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 23:57:17 | More by BeerFMAndy

Ek0nomik

Wisconsin

4.22/5  rDev +22.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured In: Snifter

Appearance: The pour is a dark red and carmine color with just a thin layer of head resting on top. Well, perhaps resting isn't the correct word. It's running away, and it only lasts a few seconds. The beer is slightly effervescent, with a few small dashes of lace on the side of the glass.

Smell: I've seen a number of people describe the nose and palate being medicinal, but I'm not getting it. The nose has a nice cherry and blackberry aroma, a little acid from the cherries and yeast/bacteria, and finally a very faint, but pleasant barnyard note.

Taste: The palate is similar to the nose; more cherries, blackberries, a nice acidic edge, and a faint barnyard note. The beer isn't overwhelmingly sour, I could see this being an enjoyable beer for someone who isn't into sour beers.

Mouthfeel: Carbonation is usually a complaint for me, but the carbonation is just right as soon as I cracked open the bottle. As always, I love letting my beer sit and lose some of the carbonation dioxide, but it's good right at the starting gate. The beer is thin to medium bodied.

Drinkability: It's a relatively high alcohol lambic, but having one bomber of these in an evening is just enough. This is a really well put together beer from Brewerij Boon and New Belgium. An interesting way to brew a beer, though I can't imagine it being that cost effective. I'll be adding this to my crate again in the future.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2010 02:23:38 | More by Ek0nomik

Brandt

Montana

4.2/5  rDev +22.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

this beer poured out a ruby red with a pinkish head, a nice clean crisp beer

the smell is a strong aroma of sour cherries as well as the woody character you get from the pits. there is also a wet doggy brett character in there that puts some body into the cherry aroma.

the taste is a thick cherry flavor balanced with some tannin from the skins to dry it out some. there is also a nice malt character hiding behind this very carbonated tart beer

the finish for this is lingering cherry and a very clean tasting beer with sharp carbonation. a highly drinkable beer here and just an all around good kriek to drink on.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2009 23:46:32 | More by Brandt

BillHilly

Washington

4.2/5  rDev +22.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

June '09 bottle in a Duvel tulip (god's gift to glassware)

A: Dark amber, nice ring, etching on D/T brings out the yeast.

S: Very subtle, mild acidity

T: I don't get a lot of cherry, and not sure of the "polish cherry" lol, as I have cherry trees in my garden!

M: Time has done this beer well, decent mf.

O: Solid Kriek, wife hated it, but she's CZ, so don't mind her...price per oz and taste for kriek, worty buy.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 06:05:58 | More by BillHilly

riored4v

Colorado

4.18/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed on 7/22/09

Poured into a goblet. Appearance is bright, ruby red and crystal clear. Head is thin and pink, fades to nothing quick.

Smell is red wine-like. Slightly sweet, hints of cherry and mild tartness. Fairly mellow aroma, but it does smell great.

Taste is great. Nice effervescent tartness up front that finishes clean. Mellow hints of dark cherries and a very mild sweetness. Good balance of flavors with a mild tannin presence. Two beers blended nicely together and were still able to pick out characteristics of both styles.

Mouthfeel is very light, highly carbonated and a dry finish.

Drinkability is very good. No signs of 8%. Very clean.

Really easy drinking beer w/ a good balance. No real bold flavors although the tartness is great and not overpowering.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2009 22:57:42 | More by riored4v

LibraryTom

California

4.18/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This ruby red lambic is a blend of two. The nose is all cherry, with a good dose of the sourness being revealed. Cherry follows in to the taste, and dominates the palette. It is delightfully sour with a complex herbal bitterness that helps round out the beer. Although it is 8%, this one is refreshing with a lasting, slightly bitter finish.

Serving type: on-tap

01-26-2010 20:37:48 | More by LibraryTom

jwinship83

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle picked up on a whim when i wanted something sour. drank from my duvel tulip. i believe that this is from the end of 2009.

A- this one pours out an interesting pinkish red colored body with a full finger of bright white head on top. the head lasts for only a few quick seconds before falling, and leaves behind only small spots of lacing.

S- the first thing i think after taking a big whiff is cherries. subtle yet fresh. tart. a little bit of musty/earthy and barnyard scents. it seems its going to be well balanced between the sweetness and the sourness.

T- the taste starts out with more of the sour cherries that i could smell, and yes they do seem fresh (not artificial tasting at all). after that i get some mild oak notes and some malt sweetness. a little bit of green apple skin can be tasted throughout.

M- light bodied, bordering on medium. the carbonation level is higher than the quickly vanishing head would indicate. drier than i expected.

D- l ended up liking this more than i was told i would. its pretty subtle for a lambic. id be happy to drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2011 23:28:15 | More by jwinship83

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

22 oz bottle into SAVOR snifter.

A: bright red, very clear. lots of carb can be seen rushing to the surface. head is bubbly and on the rose side of things.

S: a mild tart cherry aroma is rounded out by a lot of chewy, biscuity grain. slightly acidic, but nothing overwhelming. inviting.

T: tastes a lot like cherry pie. the tartness that is present is not nearly as sour or acidic as I would prefer, however the flavor itself is still rather tasty. lingers like a cherry tart pastry.

M: moderate amount of carb, slightly effervescent. medium body.

D: im really enjoying this. more cherry flavor than acidity but again, I am enjoying how this brew came out. cherry pie flavor to the max. if this brew had a bit more acidic, tart nature it would be over-the-top.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 05:35:04 | More by Jimmys

drpimento

Wisconsin

4.1/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Dramatic beer. Poured with a giant pink foamy frothy textured head wth a load a lace. Color is clear slightly brown tinged rose red. Aroma is a mild cherry with a little spice. Flavor is malty cherry pie, more on the sour side. Clean. Body is good and ditto carbonation. Finish is decent. Not overdone at all. Easy and balanced. Tough to be a session in this style. Good beer overall though.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2009 03:39:03 | More by drpimento

Oxymoron

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Welcome back. Pours an off ruby red color with a light pink hue. Crystal clear with no sediment on the bottom. A little disappointed to see as I plan on aging a few bottles for sure. Seems a bit lighter in color from what I remember. Has a fizzy pink head with limited head retention and not much on the lacing.

The nose is not as complex as I remember, but that was a long time ago. A very distinct aroma of vanilla and cherry. Reminds me more of a chap stick more than a beer. The cherry is a light sweet cherry smell. Some light malt notes but nothing distinct. A light yeast aroma but very feint.

The taste is a bit more on target. To start off, there is a light malt note with some grainy underline tastes. This is quickly replaced with a cherry vanilla note that is more along the lines of a scented candle. The cherry notes are more tart than expected but with a lingering sweetness that blends with the vanilla note. The vanilla is more of an extract note (versus a wood aged version). A light tart flavor in the finish. No real yeast notes, very clean.

The body is between moderate and light but finishes very dry with the lingering cherry vanilla notes. Carbonation is low and considerable for style, but not offensive. Overall great to see this one back. Ideally I would have liked to see it not filtered but should age nicely.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2009 18:28:38 | More by Oxymoron

Icehouse57

Iowa

4.05/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

My second attempt at the lips of faith series. First was the sour brown ale, which I also liked!

Appearance.... cross between a cola and a red wine. That kind of brownish red color that doesn't quite fit the description of garnet.

Smell was very nice. Sour cherries, oak, a hint of vinegar in the smell.

Taste- Sour cherries, malt, a hint of hop bitterness, oak

Mouthfeel was nice and light. Slightly under carbonated in my opinion. Not much lace on the glass.

Drinkability- If you've had lindeman's, this is not anywhere near it. This being SO MUCH BETTER! Clean dry finish.

VERY NICE!

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2010 23:41:38 | More by Icehouse57

glid02

Georgia

4.05/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Brick Store at an event with Lauren Salazar.

Pours a crystal-clear deep amber color with a slightly off-white head that leaves decent lacing.

Smells of light malts with good amounts of robust cherries that are both sweet and tart but lean toward the sweet side. Also present are very light hints of vanilla.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Crisp light malts up front are joined quickly by bright dark cherry flavors with hints of cough syrup, though not in a bad way. The cherries carry through to a crisp ending. Mouthfeel is very good, with grainy carbonation.

Overall I like what the lager did to this beer, it took away some of the sweetness and added a bit of complexity. Worth a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2011 03:16:21 | More by glid02

MrHungryMonkey

Texas

4.03/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Nose is fruity and sour, makes my mouth water. Smells good.

Pours clear red, mild head. Looks pretty good.

Sour and fruity - softly cherry-like, with some very mild cough syrup kind of flavor under a nice sourness. Soft floral/perfume tones. Soft sweetness. Finishes softly tart. Tastes good. Feels nice. Good drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2010 03:16:19 | More by MrHungryMonkey

tempest

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up a bottle for $12 at Liquor World in Fayetteville, AR. Poured a bright pink-red with a short off-white head. I dont know what kind of problem most people are having with this beer, but I though it was pretty good - a sort of middle ground between the sweet, thick Lindeman's Kriek and the super funky Drie Fonteinen Schaerbeekse Kriek. There's a good portion of juicy cherries, but there's also a nice balance of mellow earthy, barnyard aroma and flavor. Most krieks seem to fall on one end of the sweet-wild spectrum, but this is a delicious compromise.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2009 22:27:08 | More by tempest

Grabbin2nd

California

4/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From Notes: 9/10/09
New Belgium Brew Co.
Lips o' Faith Transatlantic Kriek
8% Abv.
22 oz. bottle into small wine glass

Apearance= Pours a lighter red than the Lindemans Kriek i just had. Small white head that dissipates quickly into a ring of lace around the edge.

Smell= Cherries, sour, a little funk

Taste= Not as sweet and a little more dry and tart than the Lindemans I just had. Taste does not linger. Good overall though.

Mouthfeel= Thin. Good for the style.

Drinkability= A sipper. Not something I would SEEK out again. But this was a good beer that I was glad to try.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2009 04:09:45 | More by Grabbin2nd

hoegaardenhero

California

4/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a: minor ring of white head on a beautiful clear rose/pomegranate body; lots of movement in the glass;

s: cherry is first; warmer malty ale notes on the finish; tart wild yeasts; strawberry rhubarb; even light blue cheese; oak and vanilla a little bit as well

t: very mild; cherry again prevalent; with a backbone of the malty ale notes; followed by the sour apple tartness of the yeasts; the beer really warms with each sip as the tongue becomes used to the taste of the sourness, the more subtle sweeter cherry and malt flavors come through; hint of brown sugar

m: light to medium body; aggressive mouthfeel; light cloy

d: i think that this is a great take on the style; has the tartness of a traditional kriek but it is rounded out by some of the sweet mellowness of the malts; i would have it again and i thoroughly enjoyed it; and my girlfriend liked it and she rarely likes beer

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2010 03:50:29 | More by hoegaardenhero

Jayli

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked this up at Plaza Wine in O'Fallon, IL
Poured in to a pint glass
Consumed 7/10

A: This beer pours a crystal clear ruby color with a two finger of light pinkish, rocky head. Head recedes at a moderate pace leaving big clumps of sticky lacing on the glass.

S: Nose is tart, tart, tart. Cherries, and cranberries, with some hints of blueberry and raspberry.

T: Taste is ridiculously fruity, but in a good way. Not even remotely as tart as the nose implied. Taste was tart cherry and cranberry up front but then quickly mellows out. A blueberry and even strawberry mix really fill out the middle and finish of this beer. Cherry tartness lingers in the finish.

M: Medium body, medium carbonation, creamy feel on this.

D: Goes down very easy, nice kick, alcohol is well hidden. This is one that I could sit with all night.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2010 14:51:57 | More by Jayli

nycwinter

California

4/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I originally bought this for my wife who loves those candy-like lambics. Needless to say, she did not like it as much.

A= pale red hues and effervescence lights up the glass. Good head retention.

S= dark fermented cherry and vineous notes on the nose.

T= strong dark fruit bitterness bites at first followed by a definite lager yeast backbone. This is very fruity and dry like a white wine. Surprisingly pleasing.

M= as noted, it is light and dry. Very refreshing.

O= overall, this looks like a beer my wife should be drinking, but the 8% abv makes it manly enough for me to drink with familiar people in the privacy of my own home;)

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2010 04:23:27 | More by nycwinter

ngeunit1

California

4/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a cloudy ruby red color with a finger of frothy white head atop. The head fades down fairly quickly leaving behind some nice lacing.

S - Aroma is a mix of some cherries with some light farmhouse funk and a bit of malt.

T - Starts off with some cherry flavor with some tartness and sourness. Through the middle some funk comes through with a bit malt. The finish is a mix of more cherry flavor, sourness, and some light pale malts.

M - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a sour, sweet, and dry finish.

D - Very drinkable. The cherry flavor is nice and strong from start to end. The beer could have used a bit more depth, it had a nice delicate flavor to it.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2012 03:57:46 | More by ngeunit1