Boon Kriek - Brouwerij Boon

DStoked

Ohio

4.31/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

1983 Vintage (yes really) @ Kulminator in Antwerp. 40 Euro.

This was an experience! Couldn't pass on trying a 30-year old bottle. Cork was mangled, shrunk, and deformed. Bottle looked like they pulled it out of an Egyptian tomb (BM me for pic). Served in a homemade wood lambic box/basket.

It had a nice, smooth, sour/tart taste to it. Cherries were long gone. Smooth body...not much carbonation after 30 years. Overall it was a good beer, but like I said, it was more about the experience of drinking a 30-year-old lambic, which I doubt I'll ever have again.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 18:22:27 | More by DStoked

CrazyDavros

Australia

3.76/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

Pours dark reddish purple with a fading pink-tinged head.
Nose shows cherries and raspberries, a bit of berry jam and soft funk. Tempting.
More cherries as the dominant flavour, with a little tartness. More sweet than sour though. More acidity would do wonders.
Could also use more carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 05:19:42 | More by CrazyDavros

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.76/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Dark Pink, spotaneous fermentation. Very cherry aroma, the real deal. A little too sweet, soft carbonation, a little tart, very drinkable.A touch of spice, I would like more tartness and more spice.Stephen's bottle.Perhaps not the bang on, but a worthy try.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 22:07:50 | More by northyorksammy

schlimenhaumer

New York

2.69/5  rDev -24.6%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75

As a lambic fan, I'm looking forward to trying this -- "Brewed in Lembeek, the village that gave Lambic its name." Poured from a 375ml corked-and-caged bottle into a Delirium tulip at low altitude in NY.

A: Pours a translucent red wine color (think a light pinot noir) with a thin pink head of almost no retention. Not what comes to mind based on the lambics I've had in the past. No lacing to speak of, either.

S: Mainly smells like Ocean Spray cranberry/cherry juice, with a hint of funky sourness in the background. A fairly strong aroma overall.

T: The cherry juice flavors are definitely overpowering here. The only thing that reminds me I'm drinking beer is the slight hint of funk on the finish. Almost no sour flavors come through. Overall, cloyingly sweet and pretty disappointing.

M: Medium-bodied and almost flat in terms of carbonation.

O: Definitely not a beer I'll revisit in the future. It's basically like drinking a bottle of cranberry-cherry juice.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 04:43:23 | More by schlimenhaumer

merc7186

New York

3.18/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

On tap at Crabapples in Cheektowaga NY, poured into a pint glass.

A: Reddish Hue, Passes Some Light, White Head Ring, Decent Lacing

S: Cherry Soda

T: Cherry Cough Syrup

M: Decent Carbonation, Light to Medium Bodied, Mildly Sweet, Mildly Syrupy

Overall, great carbonation but the taste is like cough syrup.

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2013 03:27:21 | More by merc7186

CwrwAmByth

United Kingdom (Wales)

4.23/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served from keg in The Cask, Pimlico. Half pint.

Pours a red/pink colour, with a light red foamy head.

Smells very fruity and sweet.

Tastes quite tart with a hint of sweetness. Definite cherry taste. Very pleasant and refreshing.

Overall quite a simple tasting, yet refreshing and tasty beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2012 19:05:18 | More by CwrwAmByth

Lemke10

Wisconsin

4.05/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This pours a maroon, reddish color with only a slight head. The scent is very rich with cherries giving the aroma more of a cherry wine rather than a cherry beer. It’s very sweet to the nose. The taste is very sweet and refreshing. There is not presence of alcohol at all in the taste. Texture is flat with a touch of carbonation as it finishes. At 5% abv wow! This is something you could give to a kid and they would think it’s cherry juice. Not bad, different, but could use a little improvement to become a great lambic.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2012 04:51:52 | More by Lemke10

Filosoof

Netherlands

3.88/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

From a commercial point of view this is an excellent beer. From a beer drinker's point of view it cannot win the prices.

Beer drinkers won't buy this. But women on hot terraces will. It can really compete with the Lindemans Kriek.

L: good, dark red, regular top;
S: the lambic is completely overwhelmed by the sweeteners and sugar. Otherwise: the sugars and sweeteners don't feel so extreme as in most commercial fruit beers; if you like cherry yoghourt: this is what you smell;
T: round, bit chemical because of the sweeteners, cherry yoghourt again, almond;
M: nice, good finish;
O: this beer has been made to sell; it is not made for beer reviews; very intelligent brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 07:59:05 | More by Filosoof

csiewert

Oregon

3.38/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - pours a clear deep red color with a trace of fizzy head that laces well, but does not linger

S - some funk, cherries... Almost wine like, but kind of off putting

T - cherry juice... Some funk, but not much... Finishes fairly abruptly and empty

M - flat and watery... Definitely would like some extra carbonation in this one

O - overall an average lambic at best

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 01:17:53 | More by csiewert

Seanniek91

New Hampshire

3.8/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Vintage 2011 bottle poured into a Kriek Belle-Vue tulip.

Appearance- Very dark mahogany/red with one fingered bubbly white head that lasted about 20 seconds. Very little lacing.

Smell- Funky grassy smell. Cherry. Yeasty body. Some kind of chemical smell that I can't put my finger on, but not a bad chemical smell...

Taste- First cherry. Then some funky earthiness. Tastes better after every sip. Sweet with a very very very mild tartness.

Mouthfeel- Not as carbonated as I expected. Smooth. No taste of alcohol (shouldn't be at 4%). Light and refreshing.

Overall- Solid lambic for the price. Obviously no Cantillon or Fontenien, but I would choose a Lindemanns over this specific Boon.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2012 17:21:06 | More by Seanniek91

deebo

Minnesota

3.25/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A-A big pour of Boon Kriek for the wife enjoyed overlooking a Bruges canal. I helped her out and took some notes...this one is clear and a magnificent red with a pink glass sticking lace.
S-Cherries and lots of them. Not much else here, but a very inviting aroma.
T-The taste of this kriek is clean but quite 1 dimensional. Cherries up front and in the finish. Very weak sourness in the end. Nothing like what you would get out of Cantillon or DF.
M-Light and spritzy finishes nicely dry. Super easy to drink.
O-A cherry forward lambic. Big fans of sourness and funk present in some of the other krieks probably won't love this one but is really tasty and easy to drink which is a big plus in my book. Lacks complexity.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2012 23:49:45 | More by deebo

birchstick

Missouri

3.53/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

1995 Vintage

A - pours red in color without a head at all

S - nose is cherries with vinegar and some sour, citric notes

T - starts off with sour lemon citric notes mixed in with cherry flavors. The more it moves down the tongue, a cherry pie filling flavor come out - liquid, syrupy, full of cherries, and a bit of cinnamon. Wow, the cherry fruit is alive and well after 17 years of hanging out in the bottle. A little bit of citric lambic flavors come back in the finish, but the cherry still reigns supreme on the palate.

M - syrupy, thick, and viscous

D - this is a good kriek - not as sour or funky as others I have had, but it is still delicious in its own right, especially if you like cherries.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 00:32:10 | More by birchstick

endovelico

Portugal

3.75/5  rDev +5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Murky oxidized-pink brew with low perceived effervescence. No lacing and little head formation.

Smell: Medium-high in intensity. The obvious sweet cherry notes, sour notes, candy and some barnyard.

Taste: High intensity. Candy, cherry, sour apple and some gamy notes. Very enjoyable.

Mouth feel: Medium bodied, long lasting pleasant aftertaste, low carbonation, medium-low acidity and sourness, Low bitterness and sweet throughout.

Overall: It's not a Lambic you have to grow into. It's not a sour bomb, or a funk bomb, or a beer nuanced by years of wood aging. It's sweet, it's flavorful, it's not the most complex wild brew, but putting snobbery aside you can't tell me it's not delicious... Just keep that in mind if you are put off by the score. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 22:35:48 | More by endovelico

tdm168

North Carolina

3.95/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at World of Beer Raleigh

A - ruby red with a soft, pink head that has great retention

S - sweet maricino cherries, sugar, tart

T - sugary, sweet cherries, creamy, tart

M - sticky, smooth, well carbonated, medium bodied

This is a really nice lambic. It lost points for me because of the creamy, diacetylic notes that I got in the finish. Otherwise, this lambic is flawless and definitely worthy of your time and attention.

Serving type: on-tap

10-22-2012 01:38:32 | More by tdm168

KajII

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev +5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

[Suggested Glassware: Flute]

The pour was a murky dark cranberry red with a very small (almost non-existent) light pink fizzy head that was fully diminishing in just a few seconds and had no lacing to speak of.

The aroma was all about the cherries with a mild caramel malt and a sweet yeast and had a hint of candi-sugar and a slight sour odor.

The taste was abundantly sweet and a tad acidic with a very big cherry presence throughout, with the finish having a hint of candi-sugar and a nice mellow tartness towards the end. The flavor hung on for a decent duration with the sweet-tart cherry taste fading ever so slowly.

Mouthfeel was just a tiny bit beyond light in body and somewhat watery in texture with a soft mellow carbonation.

Overall a nice fruity tart Lambic that was extremely drinkable, reminds me a little of a Sour Cherry Jolly Rancher...

http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 18:43:16 | More by KajII

Regenpak

Netherlands

1.85/5  rDev -48.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

Tried two 375ml bottles on different dates. Corks came off with a solid "pop". Poured into a frosted Kriek Belle-Vue chalice. Wonderful dark red, nice pink head that slowly dissipates. Funny that I almost couldn't smell anything. Just a faint hint of cherries.

Then the taste. Even though the "best by" date is March 2016 it is bad. Strong licorice-y and only a little cherry. According to the label not only sugar is used but also an unspecified sweetener. Maybe it's aspartame, which spoils any beverage due to enzymes in my mouth. Or something. For me it's impossible to enjoy this beer. In any case, sweeteners don't belong in beer.

ABV is 4.0% by the way.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 14:13:41 | More by Regenpak

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

3.53/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a small, slender snifter. The beer appears slightly clear and reddish-amber with a pinkish-white head. The head dissipates pretty quickly, but leaves nice lacing. The nose gives you some sour cherries and bubblegum.

The beer has a light, almost mild flavor and a light body. The flavor is partly sweet with a nice balancing tartness. I get flavors of cherries, almonds, and a slight wheaty graininess. The finish is partly dry and not very well-sustained. Mouthfeel is a bit thin for my liking.

Overall, this is an enjoyable, easy-drinking, refreshing beer, but I find the flavor to be a bit light for my palate. I also thought it was a bit under-carbonated and lacked the sparkle of a really good lambic.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 20:24:37 | More by deadonhisfeet

Etan

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Hopleaf.

A: Dark purplish-red, nice pinkish-white head.

S: Syrupy and natural cherry flesh, a bit of earthy tartness.

T: Pleasant, slightly syrupy cherry, slight earthy seed. Slight tartness in the finish.

M: Fine, pervasive carbonation, medium-bodied.

O: Nice cherry flavor, but not nearly tart enough.

Serving type: on-tap

07-22-2012 17:38:53 | More by Etan

homebrew311

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Sere in tap at Local Option. Appearance is bright red with moderate Haines. The nose is full of ripe cherries, oak, and waves of tartness paired with mild funk. Taste is all fruit with big sweetness up front followed by mild tartness. Mouthfeel is under carbonated with light body. Overall, this Kriek sits somewhere between sweet and tart, the result is somewhat boring in the world of fruited lambics. I wish it swaye one way or the other.

Serving type: on-tap

06-23-2012 23:19:41 | More by homebrew311

elgiacomo

Georgia

3.25/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

12.7oz bottle, best by May 22, 2015. Served at around 40F. Bottle indicates 4% ABV.

Pours purple/red with a one finger pink head that leaves sheets of lacing behind and recedes to a wispy cap and ring.

Aroma features mostly cherries, black cherries, and some very light underlying hints of vanilla and wood. Good strength.

Flavor starts with a blast of sweet cherry juice, a touch of tartness in the middle and then finishes rather sweet with some slight tart notes. Not sour by any means, any tartness is limited to a tart cherry type presence. Pretty much zero alcohol detected. As it warms, the tartness picks up a touch, but still more sweet than anything.

Mouthfeel is light/medium bodied, very sticky, somewhat syrupy, moderate carbonation. Too sticky.

My first Kriek, so forgive some ignorance here, but comes off as slightly alcoholic cherry soda with a bit less fizz. Sticky, coating mouthfeel is the biggest detractor for me and sweeter than I anticipated. Not really my style, but trying to be objective in the scoring as I have a good feeling that there are better examples of the style out there...

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2012 19:17:52 | More by elgiacomo

Converge

Alberta (Canada)

4/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Corked & caged 375ml bottle poured into a 16oz tulip. 2008 harvest.

A - Pours a deep reddish-plum with cherry highlights in the light. Small, well carbonated head of pinkish-white bubbles. Head settles to a thin film that leave small bits of lacing.

S - Big cherry character, juicy ripe ones as well as dried. Slight funk to it, but very mild. Not a great deal of tart fruit or barnyard qualities, more-so big sweetness, but I'm not complaining. Sort of reminiscent of Liefmans Fruitesse, but less artificial.

T - Well, there's nothing puckering about this. Red cherry sweetness upfront, with a touch of barley and hay, and a clean finish. Lingering sweetness in the aftertaste; maraschino and black cherry. I get basically zero tart or sour notes. Now, I'll admit that some lambics can be a bit much for me, but this is seriously weak in the sourness department. That being said, I still find this kriek really tasty and drinkable, just not very true to style. Slight lozenge-esque quality begins to appear after a while.

M - Sort of a miss for the style. Carbonation is medium, but quite smooth, and medium bodied. Not tart by any means, and no dryness either.

D - A rather poor representation of the kriek style, but a decent and respectable brew overall. While I can definitely see myself trying this again, I probably won't seek it out; there are just bigger and better things in the lambic style for me to try.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2012 05:02:43 | More by Converge

atr2605

New York

3.73/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-pours dark red with a rose colored sudsy head with average retention
S-cherry throat lozenges with a bit of a sour aroma in the backgrounf
T-sour black cherries up front that switches to a sweeter finish with the cherry flavor staying throughout
M-medium-light bodied, lots of carbonation
O-pretty good lambic, not overly sweet. Would buy it again

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2012 22:27:53 | More by atr2605

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.9/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap 5/1/2012 at Track 84, in Warwick, RI served in a tulip glass.

A: The beer is a dark red color with a medium off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick on the glass.

S: The aroma contains cherries, light Belgian yeast but not much else as you would expect from the style.

T: The taste likewise starts with sweet cherries and then some light Belgian yeast and a thin malt character come in. There’s a good balance for the style which is normally either too sweet, too sour or both. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sweet.

O: Tasty, goes down very easily, not too filling, mild kick, good representation of style, this is a decent Lambic to drink for a while.

Serving type: on-tap

05-23-2012 03:06:58 | More by TheManiacalOne

haazer

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750ml bottle into a tulip.

A- Cork comes off very easily, dangerously even as it flies out of my hand and produces some gunsmoke. Beer pours out a deep, maroon red. Pretty turbid, yet well carbonated. Head is a frothy, thick pink color. Fairly retentive but does die down to a thin ring.

S- Smells of sweet cherries. Theres a strong oaky presence too from the barrel. A little bit acidic. Ripe ripe cherry skin is dominant though.

T- Obviously cherry flavor dominates. Definitely real cherries and not the sweetened stuff. Theres a bit of oakiness too, but not too pronounced. Some mild acidity, but not overbearing.

M- A light bodied beer with mid to high carbonation. Some sweetness produces lip smacking.

O- Overall this beer was good but nothing great. I haven't had many krieks, so I didn't really know what to expect. I think it eventually becomes overkill, I let my g/f finish the other glass.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2012 02:34:17 | More by haazer

n2185

North Carolina

3.18/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: pours a clear ruby with half a finger of pinkish head that fades into a thin ring with no lacing.

S: sweet cherries dominate with some tart notes as well. Smells like cherry candy.

T: thankfully the flavor is not quite as sweet. The tartness is stronger here with some sour notes as well.

M: medium body with low carbonation, this beer is a bit watery.

O: an alright beer, though too sweet and candy-like for my tastes.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2012 00:35:04 | More by n2185