What is Oude Kriek?
Oude Kriek is a traditional Belgian lambic-style beer made by blending spontaneously fermented lambics and adding whole sour cherries (often Prunus cerasus) during maturation. Unlike modern fruit beers that simply add fruit flavoring, Oude Kriek uses real fruit added to aged lambic so the wild yeasts and bacteria continue fermenting the fruit sugars, producing a dry, tart, fruity, and complex beer with a vinous character.
How is Oude Kriek made?
- Addition of fruit: Whole cherries are usually added to lambic partway through aging. The fruit ferments with the native microflora.
- Blending: Producers may blend lambics of different ages (one, two, and three years) to achieve balance and complexity.
- Secondary fermentation and maturation: After fruit addition, the beer often undergoes further fermentation in barrels or tanks until the fruit sugars are fully fermented, resulting in a dry finish.
- Bottle conditioning: Many traditional Oude Krieks are bottle-conditioned, allowing subtle development and natural carbonation over time.
Oude Kriek vs Oude Geuze — what’s the difference?
Both Oude Kriek and Oude Geuze come from the lambic tradition, but they differ mainly in fruit addition:
- Oude Geuze: A blend of different-aged lambics (typically one-, two-, and three-year) with no fruit added. The result is a dry, effervescent, and often highly acidic beer with complex funk and barnyard notes.
- Oude Kriek: A lambic blended and then matured with cherries. The fruit produces tart, bright red fruit aromas and flavors on top of the lambic base.
Where can I buy Oude Kriek and related geuze beers?
Oude Kriek and Oude Geuze are available through several channels:
- Specialty beer shops and bottle shops that focus on Belgian and sour beers.
- Directly from traditional breweries (for example, many search queries reference historic producers like Oude Beersel and geuze breweries around Brussels).
- Reputable online retailers that ship specialty Belgian beers; check for proper storage and shipping conditions.
If you want to try a recommended bottle, consider giving
a go — it captures the authentic, aged-lambic-with-cherries character that defines Oude Kriek.
How should I serve and pair Oude Kriek?
Serving tips:
- Glassware: Use a tulip or stemmed glass to concentrate aroma and show carbonation.
- Temperature: Serve chilled but not ice-cold — around 6–10°C (43–50°F) brings out fruit and acidity.
- Pouring: Tilt the glass and pour gently to retain pleasant effervescence and avoid disturbing any sediment.
Pairing ideas:
- Cheeses: Soft goat cheeses, aged Gouda, or blue cheeses contrast nicely with tart fruit notes.
- Food: Duck, roasted pork with fruit sauces, rich pâtés, or dishes with cherry reductions.
- Dessert: Dark chocolate, raspberry tarts, or berry-based desserts work well with Oude Kriek’s brightness.
Can Oude Kriek be aged? How should I store it?
Yes — many Oude Krieks continue to evolve in bottle. Store bottles upright in a cool, dark place at stable cellar temperatures (around 10–13°C / 50–55°F) and avoid temperature swings. While the beer is often enjoyable upon release, aging can develop more vinous, complex tertiary aromas; however, the fresh fruit brightness may fade over longer cellaring.
Common questions people ask
- Is Oude Kriek sweet? — Traditional Oude Kriek is typically dry, because the natural fermentation consumes fruit sugars; sweetness is uncommon in authentic examples.
- What does "oude" mean? — "Oude" simply means "old" in Dutch and, in beer terms, indicates a traditional, bottle-conditioned style following historic lambic methods.
- Are Oude Krieks bottle-conditioned? — Many are; look for packaging notes. Bottle conditioning contributes to carbonation and continued development.
- Can you find Oude Kriek in Brussels? — Yes. Brussels and surrounding regions are home to lambic and geuze producers; specialty bars and breweries in the area often carry these styles.
Final tips
If you’re new to sour, wild-fermented beers start with a small pour to experience the balance of tart fruit, funk, and dryness. Seek out bottles from reputable producers, pay attention to vintage and storage history, and enjoy Oude Kriek as you would a complex, tart wine — slowly and with good company.
