Lindemans have had success with their lambic-fruit blends being the kriek (cherry) and the framboise (raspberry), and when I first read about these new ‘Tarot’ offerings I was expecting much the same. Until I noticed that the ABV on these beers was a very substantial 8%, very different to the 2.5% and 3.5% of the previous beers. And I think it works really well.
The base beer is a Belgian strong blond ale, to which they’ve blended an amount of lambic. I don’t know just how much lambic, as there really isn’t a strong presence. But maybe that’s because the tropical fruits take centre stage.
Mango, lime and honeydew melon are the official ingredients, and they combine for a really inviting tropical aroma than more than follows through in the flavour. Heavy on the mango and lime, I’m not sure I’ve had honeydew melon in a beer before but I reckon it takes a backseat here.
Nice and full bodied, quite sweet initially (there is also candi sugar added), but the fruits do offer a level of tart that lightens the beer. And it is probably more this tart character than any lambic sourness that I pick up.
I really enjoyed this beer, more so at the cooler temperature straight out of the fridge. But you be the judge!
A fruit beer featuring sweet cherries from the family Brouwerij Verhaeghe
by Brasserie d'Achouffe (Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat)
This beer is McChouffe with the addition of cherries
by Brouwerij Corsendonk (at Brasserie Du Bocq)
A dubbel kriek from Brouwerij Corsendonk, brewed at Brasserie Du Bocq
Kasteel's 11% Donker is the base, with sweet cherry liqueur added to create a perfect aperitif
The newest beer from the Kasteel brewery is this raspberry beer
Belgium's strongest fruit beer - a mix of Bush Amber (Scaldis) and fresh peach extract
A Flemish classic, but very obscure abroad. A combination of young unblended lambic with sugar syrup.
