“Kriek de Ranke is an unsweetened cherry beer of mixed fermentation. It arises from a blend of old Flemish ale, lambic and 25 kilos of sour cherries/Hl.”
Glassware: Stemmed tulip.
Appearance: Kind of a crimson-ish colour, inclining to maroon. A finger of light pink head emerges then gradually settles to the rim. Seeing fine lace as it ebbs.
Aroma: Gorgeous! Brimming with red berry tartness, lacto acidity and crystallised sugary sweetness. There’s an absolute metric tonne of funk ranging from sweaty horse blanket to red wine vinegar and cheese cave. Quite the musty little number too, picking up a hint of old sauna room and damp wood. Complex and really well layered.
Flavour: It comes on tart, sour and dry with a hefty lacto acidity – mostly red wine vinegar, lemon and citrus peel. The delicious cherries and mixed red berry flavours come right over the top bringing the woody oak musty-ness and barnyard funk with it. The finish is nicely balanced and semi dry with lingering cherry and subtle funky notes on the rear.
Mouthfeel: Dry and nicely carbonated with a bit of pucker. Medium body. The 7% AbV was a nice surprise though, very well concealed.
Overall: Really the only thing separating this from Cantillon kriek is the lack of creaminess. Although to be fair this has an extra 2% AbV so it naturally offers a bit more bite. Nevertheless it’s a very fine offering.