Cantillon Kriek 100% Lambic | Brasserie Cantillon
Brewed by:
Brasserie Cantillon
Belgium | website
Style: Lambic - Fruit
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 10-06-2001
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 706 | Ratings: 2,331
3.63/5 rDev -14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Cork 2014. 750 mL. Pour is dark ruby red, clear, with a pinkish head. Nose has a little paper, seltzery brett, some mushroom notes, with a moderate fleshy cherry. Flavor is quite simple, very little lambic, hints of leathery brett, strong cherry flesh, cherry juice, moderate carb, smooth feel and drinkable body, with a lightly sour finish.
★ 341 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Cork 2014. 750 mL. Pour is dark ruby red, clear, with a pinkish head. Nose has a little paper, seltzery brett, some mushroom notes, with a moderate fleshy cherry. Flavor is quite simple, very little lambic, hints of leathery brett, strong cherry flesh, cherry juice, moderate carb, smooth feel and drinkable body, with a lightly sour finish.
★ 341 characters
4.75/5 rDev +11.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Unlike most Krieks where the brewer or blender sweatens the finished product up for consumer's tastes, this one does not. You notice the take no prisoners character of this kriek upon opening the bottle as tart funky cherry aromas flow from the bottle. It pours an energetic hazy cherry red and its champagne like head quickly dissipates. This is a very dry, very tart cherry drink with traces of lemon, oak, over ripe fruit, and a hard to define, bitter finish. Refreshing and lives up to the hype.
★ 499 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Unlike most Krieks where the brewer or blender sweatens the finished product up for consumer's tastes, this one does not. You notice the take no prisoners character of this kriek upon opening the bottle as tart funky cherry aromas flow from the bottle. It pours an energetic hazy cherry red and its champagne like head quickly dissipates. This is a very dry, very tart cherry drink with traces of lemon, oak, over ripe fruit, and a hard to define, bitter finish. Refreshing and lives up to the hype.
★ 499 characters
4.43/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Had this one with a good friend of mine to celebrate the birth of his 2nd child. He brought it back from Cantillon where he spent his honeymoom 3 years earlier. Excellent fruit notes, nice light tart and very drinkable!!
★ 222 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Had this one with a good friend of mine to celebrate the birth of his 2nd child. He brought it back from Cantillon where he spent his honeymoom 3 years earlier. Excellent fruit notes, nice light tart and very drinkable!!
★ 222 characters
4.5/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a perfect light ruby with a short-lived white head. The smell - tons of tart cherries on top of some lambic funkiness. Tastes sour with notes of cherries.
★ 160 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a perfect light ruby with a short-lived white head. The smell - tons of tart cherries on top of some lambic funkiness. Tastes sour with notes of cherries.
★ 160 characters
4.71/5 rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
375ml bottle poured into a Troubadour tulip glass
Look: Deep, cherry red with a slight hint of murk. Head is fairly thin and pale pink. Retention is so-so, as is the amount of lacing. It soon subsides to a foamy ring around the edge of the glass.
Smell: Cherries, oddly enough, with a hint of sourness and barnyard funk. Not nearly as in-your-face as, say, Rose de Gambrinus, but still plenty going on all the same. There are some woody, earthy aromas lurking in the background, but you'll only get those if you let it sit for a while.
Taste: The taste, on the other hand, is sour - again, it's not at the paint-stripping levels of Rose de Gambrinus. Even so, it's an extremely tart beer and you don't really get any hint of cherries until towards the end - the run up is full of those sour, zesty lambic flavours. When they finally arrive, the cherry flavours are a combination of sweet and tart, with a definite tilt towards the latter.
Feel: Quite dry and acidic, as you'd expect - like a lot of other Cantillon beers, the carbonation is a bit on the frisky side and this helps to accentuate the sourness. Medium body, it doesn't have that cough syrup thing going on that some fruit beers have.
Overall: A top drawer Kriek, but then this is a Cantillon after all. Well worth a try - in terms of sourness it's quite a bit tamer than its raspberry sibling, but that's not to say you'll get easy sipping sweetness. You won't. Well worth trying if you can track it down - availability seems to vary wildly. This is up there with Kasteel Rouge as my favourite cherry beer.
★ 1,576 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
375ml bottle poured into a Troubadour tulip glass
Look: Deep, cherry red with a slight hint of murk. Head is fairly thin and pale pink. Retention is so-so, as is the amount of lacing. It soon subsides to a foamy ring around the edge of the glass.
Smell: Cherries, oddly enough, with a hint of sourness and barnyard funk. Not nearly as in-your-face as, say, Rose de Gambrinus, but still plenty going on all the same. There are some woody, earthy aromas lurking in the background, but you'll only get those if you let it sit for a while.
Taste: The taste, on the other hand, is sour - again, it's not at the paint-stripping levels of Rose de Gambrinus. Even so, it's an extremely tart beer and you don't really get any hint of cherries until towards the end - the run up is full of those sour, zesty lambic flavours. When they finally arrive, the cherry flavours are a combination of sweet and tart, with a definite tilt towards the latter.
Feel: Quite dry and acidic, as you'd expect - like a lot of other Cantillon beers, the carbonation is a bit on the frisky side and this helps to accentuate the sourness. Medium body, it doesn't have that cough syrup thing going on that some fruit beers have.
Overall: A top drawer Kriek, but then this is a Cantillon after all. Well worth a try - in terms of sourness it's quite a bit tamer than its raspberry sibling, but that's not to say you'll get easy sipping sweetness. You won't. Well worth trying if you can track it down - availability seems to vary wildly. This is up there with Kasteel Rouge as my favourite cherry beer.
★ 1,576 characters
4.55/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
From a 375ml bottle my brother picked up in Belgium, bottled 11-27-2014.
Appearance is a hazy, pink-red color, capped by a thin pink head that has a mild amount of retention with low lacing.
Smells are of cherry fruits and white grapes.
On first sip, I get a very prickly mouthfeel from the full carbonation. Then flavors of cherry become apparent, both fruit and a bit sour. The finish is quite dry.
Overall a splendid lambic I am glad to have tried!
★ 458 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
From a 375ml bottle my brother picked up in Belgium, bottled 11-27-2014.
Appearance is a hazy, pink-red color, capped by a thin pink head that has a mild amount of retention with low lacing.
Smells are of cherry fruits and white grapes.
On first sip, I get a very prickly mouthfeel from the full carbonation. Then flavors of cherry become apparent, both fruit and a bit sour. The finish is quite dry.
Overall a splendid lambic I am glad to have tried!
★ 458 characters
4.63/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L- Very opaique cherry red with nice lace
S- the smell is very sour, you can almost taste the wild yeast
T-Extremely tart with very nice after taste of un ripened cherry.
F-acidic cherry with a nice medium body
★ 210 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L- Very opaique cherry red with nice lace
S- the smell is very sour, you can almost taste the wild yeast
T-Extremely tart with very nice after taste of un ripened cherry.
F-acidic cherry with a nice medium body
★ 210 characters
3.9/5 rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Appearance-color was a nice ruby, poured a half finger of fizzy head that dissipated immediately, lots of soda-like carbonation within the beer itself.
smell-Tart cherries, hay, unidentifiable, grape-lie sourness.
Taste- very clean upfront, sleigh hint of cherries and plums, followed by lip puckering tartness, slightly earthy in the finish.
Feel-thin, very carbonated, finishes surprisingly dry.
Overall- a nice beer, i liked that the fruitiness was subtle, man this beer is sour. worth trying but would not seek out again.
★ 529 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Appearance-color was a nice ruby, poured a half finger of fizzy head that dissipated immediately, lots of soda-like carbonation within the beer itself.
smell-Tart cherries, hay, unidentifiable, grape-lie sourness.
Taste- very clean upfront, sleigh hint of cherries and plums, followed by lip puckering tartness, slightly earthy in the finish.
Feel-thin, very carbonated, finishes surprisingly dry.
Overall- a nice beer, i liked that the fruitiness was subtle, man this beer is sour. worth trying but would not seek out again.
★ 529 characters
4.56/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours bright and clear ruby red with a soft light pink head that surprisingly takes a while to fade.
Tart cherries, almonds, and brett funk in the aroma. Barnyard and oak. A good amount of vanilla.
Tart cherries and lactic acid upfront. Very tart. Barnyard and musty earthy brett character. Perhaps some acetic acid present. Lambic is very present along with cherries. Nice mingling of the two. Lots of funk and acidity as well as some oak. Bright cherry character gives way to a slightly more rich cherry character as it warms.
Highly carbonated. Acidity fills the mouth and lingers. Some tannins as well.
Though very tart, it is not at all one dimensional. Lots of cherry character though just a touch less complex and jammy as Drie Fonteinen. Still lovely.
★ 763 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours bright and clear ruby red with a soft light pink head that surprisingly takes a while to fade.
Tart cherries, almonds, and brett funk in the aroma. Barnyard and oak. A good amount of vanilla.
Tart cherries and lactic acid upfront. Very tart. Barnyard and musty earthy brett character. Perhaps some acetic acid present. Lambic is very present along with cherries. Nice mingling of the two. Lots of funk and acidity as well as some oak. Bright cherry character gives way to a slightly more rich cherry character as it warms.
Highly carbonated. Acidity fills the mouth and lingers. Some tannins as well.
Though very tart, it is not at all one dimensional. Lots of cherry character though just a touch less complex and jammy as Drie Fonteinen. Still lovely.
★ 763 characters
4.64/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Appearance is a slightly hazy ruby red with a two finger pink fizzy head.
Aroma is tart, mineral, musty, raspberry and cherry. Very complex
Flavor is cherry and raspberry seeds, tart with a little mustiness.
Mouthfeel is medium with a dry finish that keeps you coming back.
This beer is outstanding in Every way.
Its extremely similar to atrial rubicite, this being slightly more balanced.
A real treat to drink, hope to eventually get some more.
★ 448 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Appearance is a slightly hazy ruby red with a two finger pink fizzy head.
Aroma is tart, mineral, musty, raspberry and cherry. Very complex
Flavor is cherry and raspberry seeds, tart with a little mustiness.
Mouthfeel is medium with a dry finish that keeps you coming back.
This beer is outstanding in Every way.
Its extremely similar to atrial rubicite, this being slightly more balanced.
A real treat to drink, hope to eventually get some more.
★ 448 characters
3.55/5 rDev -16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Clear pinky red body with bubbles running up the glass. Light pink head which disappears in an instant.
S: Cider vinegar, brettanomyces yeast.
T: Very sour and vinegary. There's some sherbety cherry in the mix but the sourness is 95% of the flavour. Apart from a subtly warming maltiness in the finish there is also no aftertaste. Okay, it does have an incredibly refreshing mouthfeel, but it can't rely on sparkling sourness alone.
O: No flavour, just sourness, but it would go down great on a hot summer's day.
★ 515 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Clear pinky red body with bubbles running up the glass. Light pink head which disappears in an instant.
S: Cider vinegar, brettanomyces yeast.
T: Very sour and vinegary. There's some sherbety cherry in the mix but the sourness is 95% of the flavour. Apart from a subtly warming maltiness in the finish there is also no aftertaste. Okay, it does have an incredibly refreshing mouthfeel, but it can't rely on sparkling sourness alone.
O: No flavour, just sourness, but it would go down great on a hot summer's day.
★ 515 characters
3.75/5 rDev -11.8%
Poured into a Riedel tulip. The liquid is a cloudy bright pink with lots of bubbles rising through it. The pour kicks up a generous thick light pink head that fades to a thin cap after a few minutes and leaves almost no lace.
Aroma is mouth-puckeringly tart balanced by some modestly sweet fruit. Honestly, I wouldn't think cherries of the bat if I didn't already know there were cherries in it. There's a moderate amount of barnyard and hay, but as my nose gets adjusted to the tartness it starts to smell increasingly sweet.
Taste follows the nose. Starts off with some tartness that is not as intense as the nose originally suggested. There are some subtle hints of funk, but mostly it's lemony-sour. Mid-palate, the fruitiness comes out, but it's always playing second-fiddle to the tartness. The finish is pretty acidic, and the aftertaste is cherries, along with a weird almost mothball-y taste that isn't entirely pleasant to me, but is interesting.
Mouthfeel is light-bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation.
Overall, pretty nice - tastes like complex funky lemonade. Everything's balanced and it has a nice depth of flavor, but this style just isn't quite my cup of tea.
★ 1,198 characters
Poured into a Riedel tulip. The liquid is a cloudy bright pink with lots of bubbles rising through it. The pour kicks up a generous thick light pink head that fades to a thin cap after a few minutes and leaves almost no lace.
Aroma is mouth-puckeringly tart balanced by some modestly sweet fruit. Honestly, I wouldn't think cherries of the bat if I didn't already know there were cherries in it. There's a moderate amount of barnyard and hay, but as my nose gets adjusted to the tartness it starts to smell increasingly sweet.
Taste follows the nose. Starts off with some tartness that is not as intense as the nose originally suggested. There are some subtle hints of funk, but mostly it's lemony-sour. Mid-palate, the fruitiness comes out, but it's always playing second-fiddle to the tartness. The finish is pretty acidic, and the aftertaste is cherries, along with a weird almost mothball-y taste that isn't entirely pleasant to me, but is interesting.
Mouthfeel is light-bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation.
Overall, pretty nice - tastes like complex funky lemonade. Everything's balanced and it has a nice depth of flavor, but this style just isn't quite my cup of tea.
★ 1,198 characters
4.21/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
375ml Bottle received in trade with mtomlins - thanks!
Appearance - Burgundy colour with a small size fizzy/frothy beige head. There is an average amount of carbonation showing and there is some faint lacing. The head lasted for 3-4 minutes before it was gone.
Smell - Cherries, vinegar, Lemon
Taste & Mouth - There is an average amount of carbonation and I can taste citric notes and fresh ripe cherries. There is also a light vinegar flavour and a light amount of barnyard funk. It ends with tart but not over the top cherry aftertaste.
Overall - Amazing how the cherries taste fresh and not artificial like they tend to do in other fruit/sour beers. Great balance and each sip brings out different nuances. Hard to find and pricier than other krieks, but worth it.
★ 775 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
375ml Bottle received in trade with mtomlins - thanks!
Appearance - Burgundy colour with a small size fizzy/frothy beige head. There is an average amount of carbonation showing and there is some faint lacing. The head lasted for 3-4 minutes before it was gone.
Smell - Cherries, vinegar, Lemon
Taste & Mouth - There is an average amount of carbonation and I can taste citric notes and fresh ripe cherries. There is also a light vinegar flavour and a light amount of barnyard funk. It ends with tart but not over the top cherry aftertaste.
Overall - Amazing how the cherries taste fresh and not artificial like they tend to do in other fruit/sour beers. Great balance and each sip brings out different nuances. Hard to find and pricier than other krieks, but worth it.
★ 775 characters
3.99/5 rDev -6.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Has that very unique cantillon nose. Has some fruited taste, surprisingly a little bit of strawberry taste to it. Unfortunately, and expected there is a very strong/harsh aftertaste making you run for the tums. Overall solidly enjoyable if you have a strong stomach.
★ 269 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Has that very unique cantillon nose. Has some fruited taste, surprisingly a little bit of strawberry taste to it. Unfortunately, and expected there is a very strong/harsh aftertaste making you run for the tums. Overall solidly enjoyable if you have a strong stomach.
★ 269 characters
4.43/5 rDev +4.2%
Bottle at Brasserie Cambrinus while in Bruges. Side by side with Rose de Cambrinus. Pours deep red color with a pink half finger head. Aroma of tart cherries, wheat malts, a bit of oak. Flavor follows with big cherry, though not overly sweet, with perfect tartness, and some vanilla coming through as well. Medium dry on the palate, light plus bodied, plenty of carbonation. My first time having this one and I think I light like it better then the LP Kriek. Awesome stuff!
★ 473 characters
Bottle at Brasserie Cambrinus while in Bruges. Side by side with Rose de Cambrinus. Pours deep red color with a pink half finger head. Aroma of tart cherries, wheat malts, a bit of oak. Flavor follows with big cherry, though not overly sweet, with perfect tartness, and some vanilla coming through as well. Medium dry on the palate, light plus bodied, plenty of carbonation. My first time having this one and I think I light like it better then the LP Kriek. Awesome stuff!
★ 473 characters
3.5/5 rDev -17.6%
A: pink/reddish beer, head that dissipates very quickly
S: brett funk, oak, musty, dampness,
T: corky, oaky, lactic sourness, lemon peel bitterness, tannic, berry fruit, vinegar sour
M: dry finish, but vinegar lingers a bit long
expected a simple and fruity, light kriek, but it has complex flavor.
it is nice, but muddled by various flavors that are going on
★ 368 characters
A: pink/reddish beer, head that dissipates very quickly
S: brett funk, oak, musty, dampness,
T: corky, oaky, lactic sourness, lemon peel bitterness, tannic, berry fruit, vinegar sour
M: dry finish, but vinegar lingers a bit long
expected a simple and fruity, light kriek, but it has complex flavor.
it is nice, but muddled by various flavors that are going on
★ 368 characters
4.68/5 rDev +10.1%
Appearance: Pours with two fingers of pink head which slowly settled in to the edges of the glass while drinking. The color is bold ruby red that is darker then I expected. Active carbonation is pretty much on par for the style.
Smell: Sprite yeast, tart yet surprisingly juicy cherries, and oak all rush the drinker immediately. Earth, straw, figs, and a touch of darker fruits like blackberries raspberries all shine on the body. That rustic, funky oak continues to blast through to the back end with some sugary cherry tartness wishing you a sweet farewell.
Taste: The second this beer touches your lips, such a wonderfully rounded tartness explodes. The woody oak notes are really unlike any other beer I've ever had, rich mature oak and there is some brighter flavors resembling cedar. The cherries on the body are have the flavors of dried cherries, giving off plenty of sweetness but remains grounded throughout. Dancing on the back end is this bright bouquet of citrus fruits playing along well with the oak and cherries. Lingering tartness with faint dark fruits and breathable woody notes sit on the palate long after drinking.
Mouthfeel: The carbonation is very noticeable while drinking, but fits perfectly with everything going on. Bright fruits produced from the yeast are unrivaled.
Overall: My first Cantillon was a special treat. I really couldn't find a way past the incredible flavors the oak produce in this beer. The oak manages to round all of the corners perfectly together, especially the cherries which take on a much darker profile then I expected. A truly wonderful experience.
★ 1,627 characters
Appearance: Pours with two fingers of pink head which slowly settled in to the edges of the glass while drinking. The color is bold ruby red that is darker then I expected. Active carbonation is pretty much on par for the style.
Smell: Sprite yeast, tart yet surprisingly juicy cherries, and oak all rush the drinker immediately. Earth, straw, figs, and a touch of darker fruits like blackberries raspberries all shine on the body. That rustic, funky oak continues to blast through to the back end with some sugary cherry tartness wishing you a sweet farewell.
Taste: The second this beer touches your lips, such a wonderfully rounded tartness explodes. The woody oak notes are really unlike any other beer I've ever had, rich mature oak and there is some brighter flavors resembling cedar. The cherries on the body are have the flavors of dried cherries, giving off plenty of sweetness but remains grounded throughout. Dancing on the back end is this bright bouquet of citrus fruits playing along well with the oak and cherries. Lingering tartness with faint dark fruits and breathable woody notes sit on the palate long after drinking.
Mouthfeel: The carbonation is very noticeable while drinking, but fits perfectly with everything going on. Bright fruits produced from the yeast are unrivaled.
Overall: My first Cantillon was a special treat. I really couldn't find a way past the incredible flavors the oak produce in this beer. The oak manages to round all of the corners perfectly together, especially the cherries which take on a much darker profile then I expected. A truly wonderful experience.
★ 1,627 characters
4.61/5 rDev +8.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
bottle poured into two maple syrup glasses (snifter type)
1 inch of head that dissipates to a thin layer.
color is a beutiful cherry rose.
carbonation is light.
nose is light horseblanket and fruit; very nice
taste is amazing and mouthfeel is smooth.
sweet cherry and tart up front followed by a smooth finish of light tart and dryness with residual sweet.
I really like this beer and highly recommend it.
★ 406 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
bottle poured into two maple syrup glasses (snifter type)
1 inch of head that dissipates to a thin layer.
color is a beutiful cherry rose.
carbonation is light.
nose is light horseblanket and fruit; very nice
taste is amazing and mouthfeel is smooth.
sweet cherry and tart up front followed by a smooth finish of light tart and dryness with residual sweet.
I really like this beer and highly recommend it.
★ 406 characters
4.56/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A: Pink, tropical punch red, 1 finger of pinkish head.
S: Fruity, dry cherries, crisp and tart, cherry blossoms.
T: Sour, dry, cherries, no sweetness, an almost lactic quality like milk.
M: Dry and acidic, medium low carbonation.
O: Awesome, smooth must try if you can ever swing it. I drank this one at the brewery Cantillon. It came free with the brewery tour.
★ 366 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A: Pink, tropical punch red, 1 finger of pinkish head.
S: Fruity, dry cherries, crisp and tart, cherry blossoms.
T: Sour, dry, cherries, no sweetness, an almost lactic quality like milk.
M: Dry and acidic, medium low carbonation.
O: Awesome, smooth must try if you can ever swing it. I drank this one at the brewery Cantillon. It came free with the brewery tour.
★ 366 characters
4.38/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
750ml bottle poured into teku glass. 2009 cork date consumed June 2014.
A: Pours a deep, ruby, cranberry juice color with a finger of delicate light pink head that faded into a fuzzy collar.
S: Huge notes of cheesy funk, sweaty gym socks, and drying oak barrel come through straight away, with scents of tannic cherry skins, semisweet cherry juice, slight cranberry, and straw following. Tart and spicy yeast and bacteria are very inviting, and overall there is that characteristic “Cantillon” smell of authentic lambic that I forget about when long periods of time pass between bottles.
T: Tart and acid notes of cherries dominate the taste up front, but as the acid subsides the oak barrel, and earthy funk start to shine. The finish is cheesy, and musty, and the aftertaste has notes of dry straw, earthy yeast and bugs, and a kiss of manure. Cherries are very cranberry-like at times.
M: Ample fizzy yet soft carbonation froths up on my palate; drying medium body but the mouthfeel isn’t overly gritty, parching, or tannic.
O: What is there to say that hasn’t already been said? Cantillon just has that distinctive unique funk to it. Having never had this fresh, I’m sure the fruit is much brighter and prominent. But I like the funk better and I think overall this is an exceptionally well-rounded beer.
★ 1,322 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
750ml bottle poured into teku glass. 2009 cork date consumed June 2014.
A: Pours a deep, ruby, cranberry juice color with a finger of delicate light pink head that faded into a fuzzy collar.
S: Huge notes of cheesy funk, sweaty gym socks, and drying oak barrel come through straight away, with scents of tannic cherry skins, semisweet cherry juice, slight cranberry, and straw following. Tart and spicy yeast and bacteria are very inviting, and overall there is that characteristic “Cantillon” smell of authentic lambic that I forget about when long periods of time pass between bottles.
T: Tart and acid notes of cherries dominate the taste up front, but as the acid subsides the oak barrel, and earthy funk start to shine. The finish is cheesy, and musty, and the aftertaste has notes of dry straw, earthy yeast and bugs, and a kiss of manure. Cherries are very cranberry-like at times.
M: Ample fizzy yet soft carbonation froths up on my palate; drying medium body but the mouthfeel isn’t overly gritty, parching, or tannic.
O: What is there to say that hasn’t already been said? Cantillon just has that distinctive unique funk to it. Having never had this fresh, I’m sure the fruit is much brighter and prominent. But I like the funk better and I think overall this is an exceptionally well-rounded beer.
★ 1,322 characters
4.21/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Served in a large bottle at CASK in London. Poured into a tulip glass. The appearance is a red/pink color with lots of carbonation. Very champagne like. Smell is acidic and fruity. It smells like cherries. The taste is wonderful, tart, and fruity. Very drinkable. One of the best sours that I have had. Overall it was great. I ended up sharing it with my wife and she typically does not like sours.
★ 398 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Served in a large bottle at CASK in London. Poured into a tulip glass. The appearance is a red/pink color with lots of carbonation. Very champagne like. Smell is acidic and fruity. It smells like cherries. The taste is wonderful, tart, and fruity. Very drinkable. One of the best sours that I have had. Overall it was great. I ended up sharing it with my wife and she typically does not like sours.
★ 398 characters
4.42/5 rDev +4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2014 vintage into Cantillon taster stem. About as fresh as you can get.
Pours kriekishly blood pink with a cocky two finger head that rises vigorously and settles just as aggressively leaving a white out pink froth layer. Can never complain much about the appearance of authentic belgian krieks.
Aroma is heavy Cantillon musk at the forefront followed immediately by earthy cherry pit and juicy cherry flesh. Kind of surprising given its youth, usually they are all cherry when they're young. This here has that signature Cantillon house character almost as dominant as the cherries. Musty old basement and barn floor come out as the funk forerunners followed by honeysuckle leaves.
Taste displays the cherry profile with more intensity. Sweet cherry juice shows up immediately but only for a faint second as a more sour and tannic character of the fruit takes hold and never leaves. The funk of the nose is toned down to a mere musk which also stays till the end.
Mouthfeel is light and carbonation is a good 70 percent to the max. Slightly sweet from the fruit but most certainly drying and tannic finish on the tongue.
Overall an awesome Kriek in its balance of flavors and overall drinkability. Sometimes too much cherry knocks the drinkability of krieks for me. But this mixes in the lambic flavors quite nicely. Out of the more standard and available krieks I'd put this behind 3F Oude Kriek and Mariage Parfait Kriek. But that's saying a lot as those beers are phenomenal.
★ 1,485 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2014 vintage into Cantillon taster stem. About as fresh as you can get.
Pours kriekishly blood pink with a cocky two finger head that rises vigorously and settles just as aggressively leaving a white out pink froth layer. Can never complain much about the appearance of authentic belgian krieks.
Aroma is heavy Cantillon musk at the forefront followed immediately by earthy cherry pit and juicy cherry flesh. Kind of surprising given its youth, usually they are all cherry when they're young. This here has that signature Cantillon house character almost as dominant as the cherries. Musty old basement and barn floor come out as the funk forerunners followed by honeysuckle leaves.
Taste displays the cherry profile with more intensity. Sweet cherry juice shows up immediately but only for a faint second as a more sour and tannic character of the fruit takes hold and never leaves. The funk of the nose is toned down to a mere musk which also stays till the end.
Mouthfeel is light and carbonation is a good 70 percent to the max. Slightly sweet from the fruit but most certainly drying and tannic finish on the tongue.
Overall an awesome Kriek in its balance of flavors and overall drinkability. Sometimes too much cherry knocks the drinkability of krieks for me. But this mixes in the lambic flavors quite nicely. Out of the more standard and available krieks I'd put this behind 3F Oude Kriek and Mariage Parfait Kriek. But that's saying a lot as those beers are phenomenal.
★ 1,485 characters
4.33/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
i have no idea if the ratings will reflect this or not, but while i was drinking this, i kept thinking its as good as the lou pepe edition. does it need twice the fruit or another year? i dont think so at all. this is a candy apple red pour, maybe a touch pinker, but really blood stained red, clear though, and with about a half inch of just tainted pink white head. it smells like candied cherries, not really fresh fruit, but not due to artificial sugar or anything, it think its more a product of the lambic base, which is tart as hell, a lot like the classic gueuze really, farmy and funked to high heaven, with a subtle barrel profile. good acidity on the palate, not overdone in the slightest, with the cherry getting more and more intense as the beer warms. wishing for nothing, i find this supremely delicious, and while it may not be as complex or as natural cherry flavored as the lou pepe version, i find it cleaner, equally tasty, and a little more blonde sour basey than its big brother. carbonation is on point, uncommon is real lambic, and frankly just freaking awesome. i find myself drinking it way too fast, but thats just the sign of killer beer. not the best ive had from cantillon, but on par in terms of quality with any of them.
★ 1,252 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
i have no idea if the ratings will reflect this or not, but while i was drinking this, i kept thinking its as good as the lou pepe edition. does it need twice the fruit or another year? i dont think so at all. this is a candy apple red pour, maybe a touch pinker, but really blood stained red, clear though, and with about a half inch of just tainted pink white head. it smells like candied cherries, not really fresh fruit, but not due to artificial sugar or anything, it think its more a product of the lambic base, which is tart as hell, a lot like the classic gueuze really, farmy and funked to high heaven, with a subtle barrel profile. good acidity on the palate, not overdone in the slightest, with the cherry getting more and more intense as the beer warms. wishing for nothing, i find this supremely delicious, and while it may not be as complex or as natural cherry flavored as the lou pepe version, i find it cleaner, equally tasty, and a little more blonde sour basey than its big brother. carbonation is on point, uncommon is real lambic, and frankly just freaking awesome. i find myself drinking it way too fast, but thats just the sign of killer beer. not the best ive had from cantillon, but on par in terms of quality with any of them.
★ 1,252 characters
4.62/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Beautiful pour on this one, bright pink/red. Nice two finger pink head, very bubbly. The cherry is very upfront in the smell. Tart cherry skin and a little bit of funk. Taste isn't as tart as I expected, pretty gentle, nice bubbly mouthfeel. Cherries and cinnamon. Great cherry aftertaste. Very nice lambic, even if it isn't incredibly complex.
★ 344 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Beautiful pour on this one, bright pink/red. Nice two finger pink head, very bubbly. The cherry is very upfront in the smell. Tart cherry skin and a little bit of funk. Taste isn't as tart as I expected, pretty gentle, nice bubbly mouthfeel. Cherries and cinnamon. Great cherry aftertaste. Very nice lambic, even if it isn't incredibly complex.
★ 344 characters
Cantillon Kriek 100% Lambic from Brasserie Cantillon
4.25
out of 5
based on 2,331 ratings.
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Free bottle given to me by rich patrons at the bar.
This is a very good sour beer.
I did not have to over think this one at all.
Funk, tart, fruit, good.
★ 158 characters