Cherry on the Top – Mort Subite Kriek

I first came across a kriek beer a long time ago, when I had no idea what this means. Basically, it’s a Belgian variety of beer made by fermenting lambic style of beer with sour Morello cherries (thank you Wikipedia).

• Name: Mort Subite Kriek
• Brewery: Mort Subite (Alken – Maes – Heineken)
• City: Kobbegem
• Country: Belgium

Mort Subite pours with a very pretty dark red and clear color – exact color of a cherry. It is topped with a quite weak foamy head which immediately dissipates to almost nothing. The aroma is actually a disappointment. I expected it to be sweet and cherry-like, but the reality was quite different. The aroma was not really sweet at all, but more soury and slightly acid – it actually reminded me of a cheap wine. If I didn’t know it was a cherry beer, I would never have guessed it. The taste on the other side was a completely different story. Pleasantly sweet, but not too much, definitely cherry-like, with the addition of some hoppiness towards the end.

I have tried several krieks so far, but this was proved to be the best among them. It was sweet but in reasonable measures, and not too sweet like some others. It was very smooth and easy to drink, with just a slight bitterness in the finish. A very enjoyable beer, and a nice fruity change from all the radlers available here.

• Style: Lambic Style – Fruit
• ABV: 4,5%
• Ingredients: water, barley malt, hops, cherries, elderberries

RATINGS

• Appearance: 4 / 5
• Smell: 2 / 5
• Taste: 4,5 / 5
• Overall: 4 / 5

• Bottle: 2 / 5

The Golden Dragon: Gulden Draak

Belgium is one of those countries famous for their beers. The majority of beers produced in the country are not mainstreams, but rather special beers, such is also this one here. Beers, such as Gulden Draak are actually known as barley wines, a strong ales reaching the alcohol level between 8 and 12%. It s only named wine, but since it is produced of grain and not fruit, it is still classified as beer.

• Name: Gulden Draak
• Brewery: Brouwerij Van Steenberge
• City: Ertvelde
• Country: Belgium

To be completely honest, I only got this beer for the attractive bottle, because I really don’t like strong ales. I did try it, but didn’t like it so I passed the rest on. The first impresion this beer made ws actually pretty nice. It poured out with a nice dark red, almost brown color, topped with a very decent creamy head. The aroma is a combination of a fruity and roasted smell, with a quite substantial alcohol note at the end (somewhere between wine and bourbon). Although quite pleasant, it did immediately warn me what was to come. After the first sip, I immediatley knew this is not my style. It starts nice –  sweet and fruity. Then it follows with some (unpleasant) yeastiness in the body and a strong alcohol hit towards the end. It definitely let’s you know what you are drinking.

It would be definitely wrong to say this is a terrible beer. People who like strong ales will definitely love this one. Others should keep away from it. As I will.

• Style: Belgian Strong Ale
• ABV: 10,5%
• Ingredients: water, barley malt, hops

RATINGS

• Appearance: 4 / 5
• Smell: 3 / 5
• Taste: 1,5 / 5
• Overall: 1,5 / 5

From the Belgium’s Monasteries: Leffe Blonde

This beer here was probably the first “abbey” beer that I have tasted, mostly because it is also one of the most famous beers that are produced by the monks. I’m not really a fan of this style, but anyway… Here it is.

• Name: Leffe Blonde
• Brewery: InBev Belgium
• City: Leuven
• Country: Belgium

This monastery ale pours out with a clear golden color, and is topped with a decent white and lasting head. It has a sweet and fruity smell, although there is also a faint presence of alcohol smell in it, which in not so nice. The taste is quite strong and very yeasty, which again is not quite what I like. You can also taste some grains, and the taste is complemented by the addition of alcohol, which should be less obvious.

All in all, Leffe Blonde is not really my cup of tea (or glass of beer, however you want it). I know it is highly appreaciated amongst the beer experts and lovers, but for a ordinary fellow like me, it’s just not right.

• Style: Belgian Ale
• ABV: 6,6%
• Ingredients: water, light malt, yeast, hops, corn

RATINGS

• Appearance: 4 / 5
• Smell: 2,5 / 5
• Taste: 2 / 5
• Overall: 2 / 5