Oude Kriek Vieille — A Practical Guide to Kriek Lambic

29 de septiembre de 2025

What is Kriek (Kriek Lambic)?

Kriek is a traditional Belgian lambic beer fermented with whole cherries. Classic styles — including Oude Kriek — are made by macerating ripe cherries in spontaneously fermented lambic; the fruit ferments with the base beer, producing tart, fruity flavors and a ruby-red color. Oude Kriek Vieille is an example of this style, matured in old wooden barrels so the beer keeps a delicate balance between fruit brightness and complex oak-aged notes.

Kriek pronunciation

Kriek is pronounced roughly as "kreek" (one syllable, like the English word "creek"). In Dutch/Flemish it sounds similar, with a short, clipped vowel.

How is Kriek made? (Kriek recipe overview)

Traditional kriek is made by:

Starting with a lambic — a spontaneously fermented, barrel-aged Belgian ale.
Macerating whole sour cherries (often varieties like Morello) in the lambic; the fruit sugars and aromas are slowly extracted into the beer.
Allowing secondary fermentation and maturation in wood, which integrates fruit character and can add subtle oxidative or tannic complexity.
Blending older and younger lambics to reach the desired balance of acidity, fruit intensity, and effervescence.

If you were trying a home version, recipes often recommend using tart cherries, clean lambic-style base (or a mixed culture sour), and patience — many traditional krieks age for months to years.

Where to buy kriek lambic?

Where to buy depends on your country and local beer retailers. Here are practical options:

Specialty bottle shops and craft beer stores — look for import sections focusing on Belgian or sour beers.
Online retailers that ship beers — many offer vintage or barrel-aged lambics and krieks (check shipping laws in your region).
Belgian breweries’ official shops or festival stalls if you visit Belgium — the selection is often best there.
Local bars with a rotating craft/sour tap list — some pubs import bottled krieks regularly.

Kriek beer and LCBO (for Canadian buyers)

If you are in Canada and use the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario), availability varies by season and import. Search the LCBO website for "kriek" or inquire with a store's special order desk — they can sometimes request specific bottles or similar styles. Smaller, imported krieks and Oude Kriek releases may appear sporadically, so sign up for retailer restock alerts when possible.

Popular kriek brands (e.g., Belle-Vue kriek)

Belle-Vue Kriek is a widely distributed, often sweeter kriek-style beer that many people encounter first. It represents one approach (fruit-forward and accessible). For traditionalists, look for labels noting "Oude" (old) or "traditional lambic" to find more tart, barrel-aged examples.

Tasting notes, serving, and food pairings

Tasting: Expect vivid cherry aroma, sour/tart fruit on the palate, red-berry notes like raspberry or blueberry sometimes present, and a dry, vinous finish when barrel-aged. Oude styles lean more tart and complex; commercial sweetened versions are fruitier and less acidic.

Serving: Chill to around 8–12°C (46–54°F) and use a tulip or wine glass to capture the aroma. Pour gently to leave some sediment if present, or invert the bottle if you want the full blend.

Pairings:

Soft cheeses (goat cheese, triple-cream)
Roasted pork or duck with fruit glazes
Dark chocolate desserts or berry tarts

How to choose a kriek

Decide whether you prefer:

Traditional/Oude kriek — tart, complex, often barrel-aged.
Commercial/fruit-forward kriek — sweeter, immediately approachable.

Look at label keywords ("Oude," "Lambic," or the producer's reputation) to guide your choice.

Recommendation

If you want a genuine experience of barrel-matured cherry lambic with red-ruby color and notes of cherry, blueberry and raspberry, consider trying

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