Kriek
Brouwerij Hof Ten Dormaal
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- Belgian Fruit Lambic
Ranked #62 - ABV:
- 6.5%
- Score:
- 91
Ranked #5,375 - Avg:
- 4.14 | pDev: 5.8%
- Reviews:
- 22
- Ratings:
- From:
- Brouwerij Hof Ten Dormaal
- Belgium
- Avail:
- Rotating
- Wants
- 3
- Gots
- 8
SCORE
91
Outstanding
91
Outstanding
Notes:
Our kriek is an original Belgian Farmhouse ale, brewed traditionally with real sour cherries and other ingredients from our family farm. This beer is spontaneously fermented from yeast on our homestead, and then aged for many months in oak barrels.
Reviews: 22
| Ratings: 67
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4.26/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Batch 2016
Pours cloudy ruby rose red with a pinkish off-white foam head. Huge aged brettanomyces profile with prominent leather, rubber tire, bandaids, diaper, some cherries, cherry pie, wheaty malts, cinnamon-esque sweet spice, clove, with floral earthy hops. Feels medium lighter bodied, creamy with smooth moderate high carbonation. Overall a nice kriek ale aged with sour cherries.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Batch 2016
Pours cloudy ruby rose red with a pinkish off-white foam head. Huge aged brettanomyces profile with prominent leather, rubber tire, bandaids, diaper, some cherries, cherry pie, wheaty malts, cinnamon-esque sweet spice, clove, with floral earthy hops. Feels medium lighter bodied, creamy with smooth moderate high carbonation. Overall a nice kriek ale aged with sour cherries.
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4.06/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Intense both in look and flavours, this kriek delivers an almost completely flat lambic with huge amounts of sour cherries. It lacks a bit of balance and shows some trouble in fermentation
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Intense both in look and flavours, this kriek delivers an almost completely flat lambic with huge amounts of sour cherries. It lacks a bit of balance and shows some trouble in fermentation
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4.13/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
on draft
clear, dark red in color with pinkish highlights, white head. nice tart cherry aroma. taste is full of the cherry flavor without much sweetness, not like the cloyingly sweet mass produced fruit lambics. medium bodied, lively carbonation.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
on draft
clear, dark red in color with pinkish highlights, white head. nice tart cherry aroma. taste is full of the cherry flavor without much sweetness, not like the cloyingly sweet mass produced fruit lambics. medium bodied, lively carbonation.
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4.09/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
It is becoming a rare pleasure for me to have a first sample from an authentic Belgian farmhouse brewer. (This may be my first new brewhouse in several months.) Hof Ten Dormaal website is effectively simple. Their Kriek is elegant.
Looks like the real deal. Smells and Tastes, genuine, too. Both come in pleasantly tart and funky, though not over-bearing. The ale lets the malt in to play so it can finish consistently with its teasing, gentle pucker. Had this before food (as it was Indian; but this dried my mouth to prepare for those active spices.) It was worth experience for the $10 paid.
I give this brewer extra Overall points for carrying on the Belgian farmhouse tradition of its region and its farm-to-table and sustainable intention. For my next bottle, I promise to have it with appropriate food. I will look for their Blond.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
It is becoming a rare pleasure for me to have a first sample from an authentic Belgian farmhouse brewer. (This may be my first new brewhouse in several months.) Hof Ten Dormaal website is effectively simple. Their Kriek is elegant.
Looks like the real deal. Smells and Tastes, genuine, too. Both come in pleasantly tart and funky, though not over-bearing. The ale lets the malt in to play so it can finish consistently with its teasing, gentle pucker. Had this before food (as it was Indian; but this dried my mouth to prepare for those active spices.) It was worth experience for the $10 paid.
I give this brewer extra Overall points for carrying on the Belgian farmhouse tradition of its region and its farm-to-table and sustainable intention. For my next bottle, I promise to have it with appropriate food. I will look for their Blond.
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4.25/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: Poured from a bottle to a snifter glass. Had a deep, ruby red color and a thick, cloudy consistency. There was a thin, off white, foamy head that quickly dissipated. Not much lacing to speak of.
S: A very nice aroma of cherries, Belgian yeast, citrus, and a funky quality.
T: Tasted of a tinge of citrus fruit (lemon, in particular), a bit of funk (not too much), a ton of sour cherries, a good amount of Belgian yeast, and light malt. An incredibly well done flavor that's extremely tart and sour. It has an odd complexity to it; the cherries mix well with the funkier elements of the taste.
F: A solid amount of carbonation with a lively finish. Medium-bodied.
O: A very enjoyable lambic. Light, lively, and tasty, Drinkable.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: Poured from a bottle to a snifter glass. Had a deep, ruby red color and a thick, cloudy consistency. There was a thin, off white, foamy head that quickly dissipated. Not much lacing to speak of.
S: A very nice aroma of cherries, Belgian yeast, citrus, and a funky quality.
T: Tasted of a tinge of citrus fruit (lemon, in particular), a bit of funk (not too much), a ton of sour cherries, a good amount of Belgian yeast, and light malt. An incredibly well done flavor that's extremely tart and sour. It has an odd complexity to it; the cherries mix well with the funkier elements of the taste.
F: A solid amount of carbonation with a lively finish. Medium-bodied.
O: A very enjoyable lambic. Light, lively, and tasty, Drinkable.
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3.77/5 rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Bottle. Purple raspberry color. Lots of cherry pie filling with a medicinal funk and some tartness. A bit acidic. Very lambic like and you’d have a tough time telling otherwise.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Bottle. Purple raspberry color. Lots of cherry pie filling with a medicinal funk and some tartness. A bit acidic. Very lambic like and you’d have a tough time telling otherwise.
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3.82/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured a dark, ruby color with a small, pink head of foam. It smelled of sour black cherry with subtle notes of lemon. Sweet cherry notes with a puckering sourness. Some maltiness, too.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured a dark, ruby color with a small, pink head of foam. It smelled of sour black cherry with subtle notes of lemon. Sweet cherry notes with a puckering sourness. Some maltiness, too.
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4.67/5 rDev +12.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Look: Dark berry red, slightly hazy. Off-white head with pink highlights and excellent retention.
Smell: A complex mélange of barnyard funk, sour cherries, and damp hay.
Taste: Sweet yet dry, with waves of sour cherries. Vinous tannins, and a pleasant, lingering fruity, earthy finish.
Feel: Medium body, medium-low (for the style) carbonation.
Overall: Excellent kriek. I used the dregs for a sour of my own; 18-24 months from now, we'll see how it turned out.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Look: Dark berry red, slightly hazy. Off-white head with pink highlights and excellent retention.
Smell: A complex mélange of barnyard funk, sour cherries, and damp hay.
Taste: Sweet yet dry, with waves of sour cherries. Vinous tannins, and a pleasant, lingering fruity, earthy finish.
Feel: Medium body, medium-low (for the style) carbonation.
Overall: Excellent kriek. I used the dregs for a sour of my own; 18-24 months from now, we'll see how it turned out.
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3.95/5 rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured from 330mL bottle into a tulip.
Appearance: rich, deep, dark red hue with no haze and a finger of charmingly pink foam. Impressively red.
Smell: sweet and malty with an almost medicinal cherry aroma. I like it, and the medicinal nature does not bother me at all.
Taste: sweet and tart with plenty of cherry and more of that phenolic medicinal taste. I like this beer, but I want to like it more, and that taste is getting in the way.
Mouthfeel: medium-light body with a moderate carbonation and a refreshing fizziness.
Overall: it's a decent kriek which is a style I love, so obviously I like this beer, but if the medicinal element could be toned down a little it would be even better.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured from 330mL bottle into a tulip.
Appearance: rich, deep, dark red hue with no haze and a finger of charmingly pink foam. Impressively red.
Smell: sweet and malty with an almost medicinal cherry aroma. I like it, and the medicinal nature does not bother me at all.
Taste: sweet and tart with plenty of cherry and more of that phenolic medicinal taste. I like this beer, but I want to like it more, and that taste is getting in the way.
Mouthfeel: medium-light body with a moderate carbonation and a refreshing fizziness.
Overall: it's a decent kriek which is a style I love, so obviously I like this beer, but if the medicinal element could be toned down a little it would be even better.
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3.92/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Reviewed from notes. Poured from an 11.2 oz. bottle into an El Catador teku glass.
A: Pours a fairly hazy burgundy, with a half-finger of pink head that really doesn't last too long. A good amount of visible carbonation though.
S: Earthy funk and tart berries. Cheesy, feet and barnyard, with lactic tartness and sour cherries. Light cracker malts underneath. I’m not sure if this was aged in a barrel, but there are some vanilla notes, like you would get from some oak. As it warms, there are more vinous and acetic sour notes that arrive. It's a pretty complex aroma, and appealing.
T: Sour cherries up front. Then a mixed lactic and acetic sourness, and fairly acidic. A tannic vinous dryness stays over the cracker malt underpinnings. The cheesy and earthy funk again here, though not quite as much as on the nose. Then some more tart cherry pie filling. A dry fruity tartness in the hang.
M: A medium body for style, and low alcohol presence. The carbonation sensation is a bit on the low side.
O: Good, but not great. The depth of funk is just a bit lacking, and it doesn't have the completely natural juicy fruit flavors to make up for it. The fruit profile tastes like they may have back-sweetened it with sugar a bit? But either way, it's tasty - especially for something in a small-format bottle on the shelf.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Reviewed from notes. Poured from an 11.2 oz. bottle into an El Catador teku glass.
A: Pours a fairly hazy burgundy, with a half-finger of pink head that really doesn't last too long. A good amount of visible carbonation though.
S: Earthy funk and tart berries. Cheesy, feet and barnyard, with lactic tartness and sour cherries. Light cracker malts underneath. I’m not sure if this was aged in a barrel, but there are some vanilla notes, like you would get from some oak. As it warms, there are more vinous and acetic sour notes that arrive. It's a pretty complex aroma, and appealing.
T: Sour cherries up front. Then a mixed lactic and acetic sourness, and fairly acidic. A tannic vinous dryness stays over the cracker malt underpinnings. The cheesy and earthy funk again here, though not quite as much as on the nose. Then some more tart cherry pie filling. A dry fruity tartness in the hang.
M: A medium body for style, and low alcohol presence. The carbonation sensation is a bit on the low side.
O: Good, but not great. The depth of funk is just a bit lacking, and it doesn't have the completely natural juicy fruit flavors to make up for it. The fruit profile tastes like they may have back-sweetened it with sugar a bit? But either way, it's tasty - especially for something in a small-format bottle on the shelf.
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4.37/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
From a bottle.
I thought this was a very satisfying beer. Listed as a fruit beer but this brew really tastes more like a lambic - 4.5
A - Pours a dark red, a bit mahogany, with a very small pinkish head that dissipated quickly to form a film around the edge. 4.25
S - Sour cherries, like the ones I used to pick from my grandmother's sour cherry tree. 4
T - Sour, tart cherries. 4.5
MF - Dry finish with a medium light body. Refreshing. 4.5
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
From a bottle.
I thought this was a very satisfying beer. Listed as a fruit beer but this brew really tastes more like a lambic - 4.5
A - Pours a dark red, a bit mahogany, with a very small pinkish head that dissipated quickly to form a film around the edge. 4.25
S - Sour cherries, like the ones I used to pick from my grandmother's sour cherry tree. 4
T - Sour, tart cherries. 4.5
MF - Dry finish with a medium light body. Refreshing. 4.5
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4.3/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from the bottle into a tulip glass. Bit of a gush while opening.
Deep dark blood red body color and a bit murky. Head is very dark for a kriek. Dark pink with a noticeable purple tinge to it. Two finger height, but a bit of dissolve and nice creamed top interrupted by a center of fast carbonation.
Excellent cherry aroma. Slight mineral notes, but good mix of sweetness and classic cherry aromas burst off the nose. Slight pepper and herbs seem to be in the mix as well making a nice contrast. Very nicely put together.
Palate sticks to basics and provides a solid brew. Tangy cherry fruit, with a bit of tartness in the mid palate. Light bodied but with enough malt depth to coat and let the flavors last. Mild carbonation and a finish that sticks and gives a good coating down the throat of cherry and light sticky taffy flavors. Minimal sweetness which is a great thing, but just a little to balance out the acidity.
A very nice well done brew
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from the bottle into a tulip glass. Bit of a gush while opening.
Deep dark blood red body color and a bit murky. Head is very dark for a kriek. Dark pink with a noticeable purple tinge to it. Two finger height, but a bit of dissolve and nice creamed top interrupted by a center of fast carbonation.
Excellent cherry aroma. Slight mineral notes, but good mix of sweetness and classic cherry aromas burst off the nose. Slight pepper and herbs seem to be in the mix as well making a nice contrast. Very nicely put together.
Palate sticks to basics and provides a solid brew. Tangy cherry fruit, with a bit of tartness in the mid palate. Light bodied but with enough malt depth to coat and let the flavors last. Mild carbonation and a finish that sticks and gives a good coating down the throat of cherry and light sticky taffy flavors. Minimal sweetness which is a great thing, but just a little to balance out the acidity.
A very nice well done brew
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4.25/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Kriek
Bottle poured into snifter
Red liquid , ring of pink foam
Aroma of sour cherries
Tart, sour cherry taste
Good sudsing , tart , crisp, dry,
Nice beer
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Kriek
Bottle poured into snifter
Red liquid , ring of pink foam
Aroma of sour cherries
Tart, sour cherry taste
Good sudsing , tart , crisp, dry,
Nice beer
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4.27/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Smell is big barnyard funk, cherries, tart aroma, and a hint of blackberries. Taste is light tartness, more sweet cherries than sour cherries, a bit of apple, and red wine grapes. Really enjoyable kriek with a nice balance between the sweetness and tartness of cherries.
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look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Smell is big barnyard funk, cherries, tart aroma, and a hint of blackberries. Taste is light tartness, more sweet cherries than sour cherries, a bit of apple, and red wine grapes. Really enjoyable kriek with a nice balance between the sweetness and tartness of cherries.
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4.44/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a deep dark cherry red. Bright highlights when held to the light. Small pinkish head is super effervescent. Minimal lacing.
Big cherry aroma. Tart and a bit vinegary. Oak is very prominent along with musty earth. Some vinous notes to go with citrus at the end.
More tart cherry on the taste. Just a bit of sweetness around the edges. Oak, leather, and lemon. Dry earth, vanilla, and grape must.
Moderate body with a bit of creaminess. Tart and crisp on the tongue. Medium+ carbonation. Cherry really lingers but the oak notes last as well. Very dry on the aftertaste.
Really well done Kriek from a brewery that doesn't get the hype for the style. Cherry is definitely prominent but not overwhelming. Good barrel notes to go with citrus undertones.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a deep dark cherry red. Bright highlights when held to the light. Small pinkish head is super effervescent. Minimal lacing.
Big cherry aroma. Tart and a bit vinegary. Oak is very prominent along with musty earth. Some vinous notes to go with citrus at the end.
More tart cherry on the taste. Just a bit of sweetness around the edges. Oak, leather, and lemon. Dry earth, vanilla, and grape must.
Moderate body with a bit of creaminess. Tart and crisp on the tongue. Medium+ carbonation. Cherry really lingers but the oak notes last as well. Very dry on the aftertaste.
Really well done Kriek from a brewery that doesn't get the hype for the style. Cherry is definitely prominent but not overwhelming. Good barrel notes to go with citrus undertones.
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4.13/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours a deep ruby red with a nice pinkish head. Smell is straight tart cherry with some underlying barnyard. Not terribly sour, but sour enough. The cherry almost takes a bit of a backseat at times to an earthy flavor along with notes from Hof Ten's house yeast. Nice beer
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours a deep ruby red with a nice pinkish head. Smell is straight tart cherry with some underlying barnyard. Not terribly sour, but sour enough. The cherry almost takes a bit of a backseat at times to an earthy flavor along with notes from Hof Ten's house yeast. Nice beer
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4.2/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
330 ml bottle into tulip glass, best before 2/31/2018. Pours lightly hazy dark ruby red color with a 1 finger dense dark pink head with good retention, that reduces to a ring of lacing. Light spotty lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of big sour black cherry, plum, currant, green apple, red grape, light cider vinegar, brown sugar, toasted oak, light pepper/funk, and yeast earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of cherries, fruity/funky/acidic yeast, and oak barrel notes; with great strength. Taste of big sour black cherry, plum, currant, green apple, red grape, light cider vinegar, brown sugar, toasted oak, light pepper/funk, and yeast earthiness. Light-moderate fruity/acidic tartness and yeast spiciness on the finish; with lingering notes of black cherry, plum, currant, green apple, red grape, light cider vinegar, toasted oak, light funk, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Fantastic complexity, robustness, and balance of cherries, fruity/funky/acidic yeast, and oak barrel flavors; with a great sweetness/tartness balance and zero cloying flavors after the finish. Light-medium carbonation and medium bodied; with a very smooth and moderately acidic mouthfeel that is great. Alcohol is very well hidden with minimal warming present after the finish. Overall this is an awesome young fruit lambic style. All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of cherries, fruity/funky/acidic yeast, and oak barrel flavors; and very smooth and easy to drink with the balanced acidity. A highly enjoyable offering.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
330 ml bottle into tulip glass, best before 2/31/2018. Pours lightly hazy dark ruby red color with a 1 finger dense dark pink head with good retention, that reduces to a ring of lacing. Light spotty lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of big sour black cherry, plum, currant, green apple, red grape, light cider vinegar, brown sugar, toasted oak, light pepper/funk, and yeast earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of cherries, fruity/funky/acidic yeast, and oak barrel notes; with great strength. Taste of big sour black cherry, plum, currant, green apple, red grape, light cider vinegar, brown sugar, toasted oak, light pepper/funk, and yeast earthiness. Light-moderate fruity/acidic tartness and yeast spiciness on the finish; with lingering notes of black cherry, plum, currant, green apple, red grape, light cider vinegar, toasted oak, light funk, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Fantastic complexity, robustness, and balance of cherries, fruity/funky/acidic yeast, and oak barrel flavors; with a great sweetness/tartness balance and zero cloying flavors after the finish. Light-medium carbonation and medium bodied; with a very smooth and moderately acidic mouthfeel that is great. Alcohol is very well hidden with minimal warming present after the finish. Overall this is an awesome young fruit lambic style. All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of cherries, fruity/funky/acidic yeast, and oak barrel flavors; and very smooth and easy to drink with the balanced acidity. A highly enjoyable offering.
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4.08/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured into a Dogfish traditional oversized snifter. Label says Best before: 31-02-2018.
A- Pours a fuchsia color with a 1/4 inch purplish pink head that retains a bit before becoming a thick ring around the edge of the glass and a few small islands of surface foam. Resilient lacing leaves a thick ring behind.
S- Funky cherry smell along with some earthy tones. Musty, nutty, somewhat medicinal.
T- Straight cherry flavor with some light tartness. Sweet upfront, dry in the back. Very drinkable.
M- Moderately dry with medium carbonation and a body leaning toward the fuller side. Becomes chalky after a while.
O- A good kriek but it's missing the complexity of other Hof ten Dormaal sours I've had. The appearance is brilliant but unfortunately the taste falls flat compared to other cherry sours I've had. I think I'm mostly upset about the price point ($10 for a 12 oz bottle) when you can find a good number of fruited sours that are equally as good for a better price per ounce any day of the week.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured into a Dogfish traditional oversized snifter. Label says Best before: 31-02-2018.
A- Pours a fuchsia color with a 1/4 inch purplish pink head that retains a bit before becoming a thick ring around the edge of the glass and a few small islands of surface foam. Resilient lacing leaves a thick ring behind.
S- Funky cherry smell along with some earthy tones. Musty, nutty, somewhat medicinal.
T- Straight cherry flavor with some light tartness. Sweet upfront, dry in the back. Very drinkable.
M- Moderately dry with medium carbonation and a body leaning toward the fuller side. Becomes chalky after a while.
O- A good kriek but it's missing the complexity of other Hof ten Dormaal sours I've had. The appearance is brilliant but unfortunately the taste falls flat compared to other cherry sours I've had. I think I'm mostly upset about the price point ($10 for a 12 oz bottle) when you can find a good number of fruited sours that are equally as good for a better price per ounce any day of the week.
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4.31/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 12 oz, bottle into an HF goblet,
A - Hibiscus colored prism of light breaks through this thin cut ruby gem. Aggressive pouring yields a cherry blossom colored quickly settled cap. Ring of exquisitely fine carbonation clings to the edges.
S - Dark cherry, light toasted oak, aged citrus and red grape skin are all up front in a parade of delicate smells. The carbonation level keeps everything suspended well above the goblets rim. With some time the cherry leads by far.
T - Light malts, some grainy elements and oak dance with the cherry. A harmony of the flavors is most pleasant, and a testament to the brewers craft. Enough acidity to engage the grains and wood without the sharper elements. Beautifully executed.
M - Starts with a smooth coating, edges peel away engaging the palate from the sides of the tongue. Layer after layer of acidity, smooth grains and wood exit one by one and leave a dry tart calling card.
O - Quite well constructed, this offering is delicately complex. The use of the fruit, in no way over powers the wonderful grain bill. Acidity is near perfect, and the round feel is simple and exquisite. This is worth seeking out.
Cheers
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 12 oz, bottle into an HF goblet,
A - Hibiscus colored prism of light breaks through this thin cut ruby gem. Aggressive pouring yields a cherry blossom colored quickly settled cap. Ring of exquisitely fine carbonation clings to the edges.
S - Dark cherry, light toasted oak, aged citrus and red grape skin are all up front in a parade of delicate smells. The carbonation level keeps everything suspended well above the goblets rim. With some time the cherry leads by far.
T - Light malts, some grainy elements and oak dance with the cherry. A harmony of the flavors is most pleasant, and a testament to the brewers craft. Enough acidity to engage the grains and wood without the sharper elements. Beautifully executed.
M - Starts with a smooth coating, edges peel away engaging the palate from the sides of the tongue. Layer after layer of acidity, smooth grains and wood exit one by one and leave a dry tart calling card.
O - Quite well constructed, this offering is delicately complex. The use of the fruit, in no way over powers the wonderful grain bill. Acidity is near perfect, and the round feel is simple and exquisite. This is worth seeking out.
Cheers
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4.24/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
this kriek just landed in colorado, and its a delicious beer. amazing how so much of their beer sits around on shelves, i think its all really good, and although the price points can be a challenge, it shouldnt just sit there. this is rad kriek, as red and intense looking as something like an atrial from jester king, it literally stains whatever it touches with koolaid red. not much head on it though, but the bottle gushed like crazy. it smells amazing, tart cherry all the way and a lot more funky yeast going on than just whats supposed to be there in the lacto sense, its more evolved than that, weird even, and its in the taste too. the fruit is authentic but dosed to absurdity, its more cherries than beer, its lambic base almost hard to pick up on. sourness is there for sure, but not a ton of acidity, and it feels thick on the palate without that, and without much carbonation. some residual sugar in it too, but a lot going on, and its not out of place. i didnt pick up hardly any wood, and thought for a moment that this might be done all in stainless. the label told me otherwise, but the oak aspect here is really minimal, another reason why the fruit stands out so hard, maybe more a vessel for funk than flavor. overall an excellent example of the style, and totally unique to itself with its crazy yeast character and intense fruit. well worth the nine or ten bucks they ask for this.
edit: had a 2017 vintage on tap this weekend and was really impressed at about two years old, more of a lambic type funk to this, less acidity than i remember from the bottle, and a lot more life in terms of carbonation too. its almost medicinal, super saturated with the fruit, and piquant in a very unique way. this is amazing stuff, these guys never seem to get enough credit in my opinion. this is really wild and different and awesome!
1,846 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
this kriek just landed in colorado, and its a delicious beer. amazing how so much of their beer sits around on shelves, i think its all really good, and although the price points can be a challenge, it shouldnt just sit there. this is rad kriek, as red and intense looking as something like an atrial from jester king, it literally stains whatever it touches with koolaid red. not much head on it though, but the bottle gushed like crazy. it smells amazing, tart cherry all the way and a lot more funky yeast going on than just whats supposed to be there in the lacto sense, its more evolved than that, weird even, and its in the taste too. the fruit is authentic but dosed to absurdity, its more cherries than beer, its lambic base almost hard to pick up on. sourness is there for sure, but not a ton of acidity, and it feels thick on the palate without that, and without much carbonation. some residual sugar in it too, but a lot going on, and its not out of place. i didnt pick up hardly any wood, and thought for a moment that this might be done all in stainless. the label told me otherwise, but the oak aspect here is really minimal, another reason why the fruit stands out so hard, maybe more a vessel for funk than flavor. overall an excellent example of the style, and totally unique to itself with its crazy yeast character and intense fruit. well worth the nine or ten bucks they ask for this.
edit: had a 2017 vintage on tap this weekend and was really impressed at about two years old, more of a lambic type funk to this, less acidity than i remember from the bottle, and a lot more life in terms of carbonation too. its almost medicinal, super saturated with the fruit, and piquant in a very unique way. this is amazing stuff, these guys never seem to get enough credit in my opinion. this is really wild and different and awesome!
1,846 characters
4.21/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Such a beautiful sour display upon the cherry fruit, the entire spectrum of lambic ales complement the mix while the fruit carries the tone from its initial pour 'til its fleeting finish.
Esquisite in its bright ruby hue, the slight haze darkens the appearance while a striking pink head billows above. Aromatics of sour cherry play out over vinegar, cider and merlot. Yet its tangy-sweet taste is charming with hard candy, fruit and slightly crusted flakes.
But the beer shines after it sheds its malty sweetness and bready counterparts and favors a sour trek across the middle palate. While the heartiness of black cherry persists, its plumb, blackberry, and currant character keeps coming while the ale strives for earthy, tangy and slightly rustic taste.
While medium-light textures layer cozily on the palate, its undeniable sourness is sharp, tangy and highly refreshing- making the way for a musty, oaken and vinous aftertaste of sour cherry.
953 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Such a beautiful sour display upon the cherry fruit, the entire spectrum of lambic ales complement the mix while the fruit carries the tone from its initial pour 'til its fleeting finish.
Esquisite in its bright ruby hue, the slight haze darkens the appearance while a striking pink head billows above. Aromatics of sour cherry play out over vinegar, cider and merlot. Yet its tangy-sweet taste is charming with hard candy, fruit and slightly crusted flakes.
But the beer shines after it sheds its malty sweetness and bready counterparts and favors a sour trek across the middle palate. While the heartiness of black cherry persists, its plumb, blackberry, and currant character keeps coming while the ale strives for earthy, tangy and slightly rustic taste.
While medium-light textures layer cozily on the palate, its undeniable sourness is sharp, tangy and highly refreshing- making the way for a musty, oaken and vinous aftertaste of sour cherry.
953 characters
4.28/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Had this during Philadelphia Beer Week in Jose Pistola's
Bottle poured. Beautiful red color due to the use of cherries.
Very nice taste which goes down easy.
158 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Had this during Philadelphia Beer Week in Jose Pistola's
Bottle poured. Beautiful red color due to the use of cherries.
Very nice taste which goes down easy.
158 characters
Kriek from Brouwerij Hof Ten Dormaal
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
67 ratings
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