Review – New Belgium Lips of Faith Transatlantique Kriek

From New Belgium Brewing – In a never-ending quest to create new beers and defy category, New Belgium Brewing and Brewerij Boon of Belgium have partnered once again to create Transatlantique Kriek – a spontaneously fermented lambic ale made with Polish cherries. This authentic kriek beer began life in the oaken vessels at Frank Boon’s brewery in the Lembeek region of Belgium. After more than two years aging, Boon’s offering shipped across the Atlantic and found its way to the intuitive palate of New Belgium’s Brewmaster, Peter Bouckaert. After much sampling and internal consultation, Peter and his brew staff created a full-bodied golden ale to round out the light-bodied kriek.

New Belgium Brewing – Lips of Faith Transatlantique Kriek – 22 oz. bottle poured into a goblet. 8% abv.

Appearance: Pours like a glass of cranberry juice cocktail. No head or trace of a head whatsoever. You can see a few bubbles here and there rising from the clear maroon body.

Aroma: Fruity berry/cherry-ness.

Taste: Tart cherries, cherry pie filling without the sugar, dry wine, spices, finishing with a tart berry bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Very fizzy, a little sticky and puckering.

Overall: A great, fruity, tart beer with some kick to it. Unlike a familiar fruit lambic, this has some character, some sourness, a little bite, and a nice level of sparking wine carbonation.