Kriek Mariage Parfait

◎ Appearance

Deep red body with a soft pink head that settles into a fine, delicate collar. The beer displays brilliant clarity beneath its translucent ruby hue, with minimal carbonation visible as gentle streams of small bubbles. The head retention is modest but persistent, characteristic of a mature, wood-aged kriek.

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with a pronounced wine-like character: ripe cherry and dark stone fruit meld with vanilla and creamy oak notes. Subtle funky undertones—earthy, slightly funky fermentation complexity—emerge beneath the bright fruit, creating an aromatic profile more reminiscent of a fine fruit wine than a standard beer. The eighteen-month lambic base contributes additional depth and a gentle acidity.

◐ Taste

The palate opens smooth and fruity, with tart cherry and oak tannins building through the mid-palate. Subtle vanilla and dark fruit notes weave throughout, while a pronounced but restrained sourness provides backbone and drying structure. The 400 grams of fresh wild cherries per litre deliver genuine fruit character without jammy sweetness; instead, they create a balanced interplay between acidity and a dry, woody finish.

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and lingering, with oak and subtle funky notes persisting on the palate. Years of bottle-aging have softened the sharpness into a gentle, fruity farewell that invites another sip.