Schaarbeekse Kriek

◎ Appearance

Deep ruby to garnet hue with a translucent clarity, revealing the intensity of the macerated Schaarbeekse cherries. The head is modest and ephemeral, typical of a low-IBU wild ale, with delicate lacing that fades quickly. Fine carbonation provides a gentle effervescence that registers as a soft prickle rather than robust bubbles.

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with the distinctive bright tartness of small sour cherries—sharp and penetrating, without cloying sweetness. Beneath this lies a subtle funk from the wild fermentation and extended bottle age, along with a whisper of dried stone fruit and mild vinous earthiness. There is no malt presence; the aromatic profile is almost entirely driven by the fruit and the character of the lambic base.

◐ Taste

The palate is dominated by a puckering tartness and pronounced sourness from the 400 grams of fruit per litre, sustained throughout the entry and mid-palate. The cherry character is dark and complex—neither jammy nor thin—with a crisp, almost mineral dryness that prevents any heaviness. A gentle funky undertone emerges in the mid-palate, adding depth to the otherwise fruit-forward profile, while the finish stays clean and refreshingly acidic.

◑ Finish

The finish is long and persistent, with the tartness and acidity holding firm without becoming abrasive. A lingering cherry dryness and subtle earthy funk carry into the aftertaste, inviting the next sip.