Style: Cherry sour
Brewery: Duvel Moortgat
Origin: Belgium
Size: 75cl
Alcohol: 6%
Price: 79kr
Systembolaget: 11376
Glühkriek, from the Flemish word kriek (sour cherry) is sold as an alternative to mulled wine. First developed by St. Louis Brewery in the early 1990s, the basis is Bruin beer from the region around Oudenaarde. Late harvest cherry juice is added, which then matures for about 6–12 months in oak barrels. Honey or brown sugar is sometimes used as a sweetener, with cloves, star anise, cardamom and cinnamon also added. Warm beers are such a rarity, and not many people have tried them, so I thought this would be the perfect warm up for the tasting.
This was deep ruby red in colour with a limited head that disappeared quickly. Big cinnamon, almond, cherry notes came through straight away in the aroma, followed up with a cidery farmyard funk, yeast and oak. The body was sweet and thick and coated the palate quickly. The taste was delightful, with the red fruit note at the forefront, back up with the wood and Christmas spices. The cherry lasted long into the aftertaste, and left the palate refreshed yet slightly sticky.
This was unusual but delicious. The spiced notes balanced the sweet fruit well without overpowering. I tried this both cold and at its correct temperature of 70C, and I enjoyed it both ways. Easy to drink and perfect for the festival season, I’m really glad I chose this to start the tasting with this.