Kriekbier - Brouwerij Liefmans

davey101

Connecticut

4.22/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Was lucky enough to grab the last two bottles of this at a local store. The cork says 2006. From what I researched, this beer is now retired. After Liefmans bankruptcy and buy out, they stopped brewing their own wort and renamed the beer cuvee-brut.

375ml caged and corked bottle wrapped in paper. After the pour I looked down the bottle and held it up to light. Time wasn't good to this beer. Tons of sediment along the neck and side of the bottle, with the typical yeast "paint chip" layer on the bottom. Cork basically fell off with the slightest pop, minimal carbonation. Luckily the sediment was too lodged to the bottle to break free, so my sediment snifter only had a few small chunks floating around.

A - Vibrant dark purple/red appearance. Fairly aggressive pour leads to a very small head that is completely gone after 30 seconds. A couple minutes later there isn't a bubble to be found. Looks great sans head

S - Not what I was expecting. There was a decent bit of cherries, but there also tons of oak and stone fruit. I poured the last ounce or so into a snifter and the smell of that almost reminds me of Dogfish Head raison d'extra. A little boozy with raisins. Smell is fantastic.

T - Awesome. Cherries and oak. I've never had this fresh, but it is very mellow and smooth. Sour and tart, and extremely refreshing. Despite the weak mouth feel I keep coming back for a sip.

M - Not good. Almost no carbonation. This beer is sour and tart enough, but once the flavors fade it just falls flat. Its obviously around 5 years old at this point, but the mouth feel is the weak point of this beer.

O - This is a really good beer. The age has lead to a very smooth taste that has a great blend of sour cherries and oak. The carbonation and mouth feel does knock it down a peg though. Best $5 I've spent recently, can't wait to try my other bottle in a few months.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2011 01:03:03 | More by davey101

Avagadro

New Jersey

4.24/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

2012 Vintage

A: This brew boasts a mahogany body with a beige head that is ever so slightly tinted pink. The beer is free from haze, and has a touch of lacing.

S: Port wine, dried cherries, and vanilla in the front, with creme brulee and coconut in the back. The bouquet is elegant, with many notes coming together without any one overpowering the rest.

T: What a display of complexity and balance. Port wine, balsamic, and dried cherries in the front, with vanilla, pomegranate, and musty cork in the finish.

M: Light and effervescent on the tongue, but with a touch of stickiness in the finish that is a touch off putting.

O: I was initially scared to buy this beer, fearing that Liefmans had succumbed to the same marketing pressures as Lindemans in their kriek. I am happy to see that this beer is traditional; no overly sweet red mess in this kriek. Definitely give this one a try.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 00:34:36 | More by Avagadro

lpayette

Vermont

4/5  rDev 0%

04-20-2013 02:47:37 | More by lpayette

weerezboy

Washington

4.5/5  rDev +12.5%

03-14-2013 02:19:38 | More by weerezboy

matjack85

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%

02-02-2013 08:15:06 | More by matjack85

phishbone23

New York

3/5  rDev -25%

01-23-2013 18:32:21 | More by phishbone23

aztraz

Sweden

4/5  rDev 0%

01-18-2013 22:01:05 | More by aztraz

stereosforgeeks

Virginia

4/5  rDev 0%

12-17-2012 15:26:33 | More by stereosforgeeks

LiquidAmber

Washington

4.05/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review from 8/2010 notes. Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a nice dark reddish amber with a hint of a head, but some lacing forming a fringe around the glass. Cherry aroma. Sweet and sour cherry with a hint of malt. Nicely balanced sweet to sour. I like this a lot. Could use a bit more carbonation, but still enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 18:28:08 | More by LiquidAmber

OBMM1

4/5  rDev 0%

07-28-2012 06:52:54 | More by OBMM1

twobeernuts

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev 0%

05-11-2012 10:20:29 | More by twobeernuts

adamcthomp

Spain

4/5  rDev 0%

04-17-2012 10:53:31 | More by adamcthomp

szmnnl99

Michigan

4/5  rDev 0%

03-27-2012 22:19:39 | More by szmnnl99

metter98

New York

4.1/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer is slightly hazy dark mahogany red in color. A few specks of dark yeast particles are visible near the bottom of the glass. The beer does not have any head or visible carbonation.
S: There are moderately strong aromas of cherries in the nose along with some notes of sourness.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and has flavors of tart cherries with notes of sourness and initial hints of sweetness.
M: It feels a bit shy of medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is very enjoyable and has a nice amount of fruit flavors. It’s not very sour or tart so it’s easy to drink.

Note: 2007 vintage

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 13:25:40 | More by metter98

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.93/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a slightly hazy garnet red with a very thin off-white ring at the edges of the glass. The little head this beer pours with dissipates almost instantly. There are a few floating yeast particles in the beer. No lacing is observed.

S: Aromas of sour cherries with light hints of mustiness and sourness. There is a slight sweetness under the surface of the aroma.

T: Taste follow the smell... Starts out just a little bit sweet but quickly you get sour cherries, mustiness, and a slight amount of sourness. There is a lingering tartness in the finish.

M: Medium bodied with very light amounts of carbonation. Slight dryness in the finish.

O: Really nice flavors of natural sour cherries, nothing artificial here and no obviously added sugars to sweeten it. Very easy to drink and very enjoyable. I have had this beer many times and will likely continue to enjoy it in the future.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 11:43:27 | More by dbrauneis

joex444

France

3.5/5  rDev -12.5%

02-21-2012 13:26:16 | More by joex444

Soonami

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -12.5%

02-18-2012 04:18:31 | More by Soonami

riored4v

Colorado

3.95/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured in to a tulip. Dark red, ruby colored body. Clear. Thin, white head that faded fast to a thin ring.

Smell was moderately sweet with a light syrupy-ness. Light tarness with lots of cherry aroma. Slightly musty.

Taste was good with a moderate amount of sweetness upfront. Lots of cherry flavor that turns to a light tartness accompanied by a mild syrupy finish. Light musty flavor.

Mouthfeel was medium body with a medium carb. Almost a crisp finish although it was a bit syrupy. Could improve in my opinion with a slightly more dry finish.

Overall it was really tasty. Lots of cherry flavor with a nice sweetness and light tart. Still very drinkable despite a light syrupy finish.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 02:11:56 | More by riored4v

Stoffel

Texas

4/5  rDev 0%

01-02-2012 13:57:53 | More by Stoffel

twkirkby

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +12.5%

12-22-2011 01:53:18 | More by twkirkby

deapokid

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev 0%

12-03-2011 19:13:25 | More by deapokid

brandoman63

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -6.3%

11-30-2011 22:22:07 | More by brandoman63

Exiled

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +12.5%

11-25-2011 19:15:04 | More by Exiled

bob727

Florida

5/5  rDev +25%

11-21-2011 06:01:31 | More by bob727

JAHMUR

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%

11-16-2011 19:36:55 | More by JAHMUR