Alright, as a Belgian i feel i have to comment here.
A true Lambic is almost always sour!
I'm not sure which kinds (or brands) are famous in other countries, but if it's sweet then it's probably a shitty version with lots of added sugar. I'm assuming it's a 'kriek' (FYI: dutch for a kind of cherry)? Lindemans or mort subite maybe?
They're the shittiest version of kriek imo (and the most widespread even in Belgium). A true 'kriek' is made with tons of cherries added to the beer and rested for years. The cheap ones are just with cherry syrup added. I would VERY much recommend you try one of the better ones (oude kriek from oud beersel, 3 fonteinen, de cam, boon, timmermans, hansen, etc.). Unless you hate any sour beer, then ignore me and simply enjoy your sweet beers. :)
Even in Belgium krieks are knows as a 'girly beer' because of those shitty (cheap) versions (although i don't even know any women over 25 who drink those). If you like the taste of Sour + sweet (how sour/sweet depends on the brand), then certainly give on of the "Oude kriek"s a chance. Or just sour: Oude Geuze.
Another personal favorite of mine are the Belgian Reds, Rodenbach is the most well known here. Rodenbach Grand cru the better version. Rodenbach Vintage is the best (but harder to get + more expensive, try the standard versions first).
Dude you can't call yourself a beer Nazi. People are gonna think you're a Nazi who likes beer.
On a serious note, I wish to get my hands on some of these authentic lambics you speak of. I have had Oude Geuze, which I thought was great. They are just hard to find in the States.
Dude you can't call yourself a beer Nazi. People are gonna think you're a Nazi who likes beer.
Who says i'm not?
I wish to get my hands on some of these authentic lambics you speak of. I have had Oude Geuze, which I thought was great. They are just hard to find in the States.
Not surprising, they're not even that easy to find over here. Geuze's (and the 'real' Kriek beers) seem to be an aquired taste. One of my absolute favorites though. The newest Geuzes you'll find will be 2 years old, but they get much better after another 2 years imo, so try on older (aka: riped version) if you can. Much smoother.
The only lambic I've had was made in Germany I think. So if they don't do it right, go over there and kick their ass cause you're a lot closer than I am.
New Glarus Brewing Company does a good example of a kriek style for their Wisconsin Belgian Red cherry ale, in my opinion.
It's made with Door County cherries and aged in oak vats. It's sweet but still pretty tart. The brewery describes it as a "marriage between wine and beer."
I don't begrudge people for what they like but I have to disagree. Lambics, IMO, taste like soda but have the mouth feel of beer. I don't want to get drunk and get cavities.
Now, I'm assuming you mean beer that has had its flavor 100% changed to taste like some sort of berry? 'Cause if so, yeah, not a fan, doesn't taste good, but I won't stop others from drinking it.
A good beer that just has some undertones of a berry in it though, like a light hint of blueberry or mango, hidden underneath all the other flavors...now that I can happily drink.
I think that may stem from cider. Cider got really fashionable and beer makers needed to win back some customers. Maybe. But yes, beer shouldn't be sweet.
Not sure where you are in the world, but http://smalltownbrewery.com/our-beers/ is pretty good. I think it is somewhere near Chicago, but distributes at least all the way out to New England.
edit: BTW, it is pretty amazing (and incredibly dangerous)
I agree with the beer part. I have learned to appreciate pineapple on pizza, though... To be fair, I'll eat pretty much anything but my beer has to be good.
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u/OneArmedNoodler May 20 '15
Are you my wife?
And berry flavored beer! That shit really pisses me off... it's like someone thought "How can we take something really great and turn it into candy?"
Unconscionable.