Glühkriek
Brouwerij Liefmans

750ml paper-wrapped, capped and corked bottle into a large snifter. Paid £5.99 for a single.

Review based on the first half of the bottle served at room temperature. Second glass was gently warmed on the stove, but other than an obvious change to mouth-feel; the difference between the two was nominal.

Pours a translucent, dark-plum coloured body, that when held to the light transforms to a bright ruby-red, in-turn displaying some fine carbonation against the edges of the glass. A foamy, two-finger in height, pink-tinged white head reduces slowly to a thin patchy film, leaving behind small amounts of soapy lace.

Powerful notes of sweet and sour cherry initially dominate the majority of the aromatic nose. Tart red berries follow, alongside traces of spicy yeast, oak, and leather, while copious amounts of clove become apparent towards the back-end. Taste follows almost exactly, leading up front with an intensely tart and jammy cherry-juice likeness. Red berries and darker, fleshy, ripe black cherry follow, while traditional mulling spices build from around the mid-palate onwards. Sweet and warming clove comprises the bulk of the spice mixture. Subtler notes of nutmeg, cinnamon and star anise are perceptible are underneath, but play only minor roles. In the mouth a medium to full body paired with modest carbonation gives a rich, slick and smooth feel. Oily viscosity coats the palate with satiating sweetness, but crucially manages to steer clear of syrupy or cloying. Towards the back end, sweet, fruity cherry profiles begin to develop a very faintly sour and acidic edge, while traces of oak, leather and fruit skins combine to provide hints of dry balancing bitterness. After the swallow, sweet and sour cherry linger at length alongside plenty of clove to finish with both sharp tartness and strong warming spice.

Overall this is an excellent beer. Its intensity of flavour is incredible from start to finish, combining tart, tangy, natural cherry, warming seasonal spice, and earthy complexity in perfect harmony. Perhaps of all the spices used, clove is a little too dominant. To my tastes, an equal presence from cinnamon and/ or some of the other additions would make a small improvement. Ultimately this is a minor flaw, and it remains a wonderfully unique and interesting Winter Warmer. Recommended.

 

Shared 750 ml paper wrapped bottle, at the Yule beer tasting of Lilland Bryggerihotell, Tau. Red colour, pink head. Distinct aroma and flavour of cherries and glühwein (gløgg) spices, more sweet than sour. Sampled moderately chilled, not hot.

Dark burgundy color, pink head, aroma of cherries and cinnamon, taste starts with sweet cherries, end with sour cherries, medium body, soft carbonation (tried at room temperature). If you try it hot it's rather sour than sweet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

From belgiuminabox. Great at room temp, at the level of best krieks, with a not much agressive tartness. However, at the recommended serving temp of . 70C it loses its body and sweetness and becomes a watery and acid hot mess. I give my punctuation as the room temp version. Otherwise It would receive an average of around 1.

 

 

This is a unique and complex beer. The simplest, fastest definition is that is Christmas in a bottle. The pour is a hazy ruby with tint of brown. There is a very minimal, airy, off-white head that quickly dissipates to a thin ring. The pour also shows plenty of carbonation trails but they fizzle out quickly (and the beer tastes better if you let them do so first). The nose is where the magic is in this beer—the ghost of Christmas present if he were a beer connoisseur. It's complex and delicious: stewed apples, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, cherries, brown sugar. The flavor of this beer is sweet up front, with the same stewed apple and baking spice flavors, but the sour cherries come in the middle and finish strong with some warmth and a bite. The mouth follows the taste being smooth and slippery up front, though only medium-bodied. But the finish is somewhat dry and the carbonation kicks in at the end to highlight the sour notes. Really a wonderful and unique beer.

NOTE: The label on this beer says to serve hot (70 C). I suggest trying it both ways and deciding which you like. When hot, the carbonation is much more pronounced on the tongue as are the sour cherry notes, while the sweet apple notes are mostly hidden. I personally enjoy sweeter beers (especially when baking spice flavors are involved), so I think room temp is the way to go on this, but give both a whirl and enjoy the variety. Cheers!

 

 

A 750ml bottle with a BB of Oct 2016. 2011 vintage. I've had this for 2 years - I originally bought two and shared one with my family but hung on to the other. The beer world's answer to glühwein - amazing. Tis the season to imbibe!

Heated on the stove prior to serving. The bottle opened with a pop, but the carbonation disappeared while the beer was warming. Poured into a Delirium chalice. A deep, clear ruby hue that looks not unlike wine. Produces a decent head of frothy pinkish foam that settles as a thick surface layer. Slight lacing. Aroma of tart fruity notes and warm spices. Hints of cherries, red fruits, cinammon, clove, faint ginger, subtle fruity malt, sugar and very faint vinegar. A touch of booze in the background. Deliciously seasonal.

Tastes of sharp red fruit and spice, with a lingering finish. Notes of cherries, cinammon, clove, mild ginger, red fruits, fruity malt, sugar/sweetener, faint vinegar and a twinge of alcohol. Warming and slightly vinous. No bitterness to speak of, but lingering spice flavours upon swallowing. Mouthfeel is smooth and rich, with lovely body and a flat, creamy texture. An aftertaste of tart fruit, acidity and spice.

Lovely. The perfect winter warmer and a great Christmas beer. It looks spot on, while the aroma and flavour are divine. The fruit, spice and acidity/sweetness are all flawlessly balanced. Nice body. This might be the only beer that can be served warm and is all the better for it. Superb; a Christmas beer that deserves to be added to your must-try list.