3 Fonteinen Oude Kriek

Brewed by 3 Fonteinen
Style: Lambic - Fruit
Beersel, Belgium

I had the 96 vintage at the cafe. And this was the best beer of an 8 day Belgian beer safari. This beer was a revellation of how a big complex gueuze based beer can combine high acidity, rich fruit flavour, a little rounding sweetness and blend it all in perfect synergy. If I had one beer to drink for the rest of my life, it would probably be this one. Based on that, I am giving my first full marks ever: 5.0.

Bottled. Old. Really old. Hell, I’m not even sure this is the right beer. But let’s start from the beginning.

Last October, my girlfriend and I took a trip to Belgium, and met up with a certain esteemed and very generous RBian. We’d agreed to an in person trade, but little did I know the bonuses I’d be getting. He presented me two bottles, both label-less: one which he believed to be a Cantillon Gueze from the late 70s, and another -- this bottle -- which he believed to be a Drie Fonteinen Gueuze from the early 80s. The cork was old and withered, sitting nearly a centimeter away from the rusty cage that once held it tight. The neck around the cork was crusty and broken, and the bottle was clearly not a quite familiar shape. The indentation in the bottom was rather huge, and the bottle a hefty weight.

Tonight, after waiting for a long while, I decided to have at the mystery beer. As I poured, it was immediately obvious it was not a gueuze. The color is very red and the aroma is very much that of cherries. Most obviously a kriek, I for now am going to guess that the beer may be this. For some reason I don’t have a rating under here already so this one is a little bootleg, but it will be amended with a proper rating of a more current version of the beer when I get another bottle. For now I just want some notes down on this fantastic lambic I am currently drinking.

For a beer that’s supposed to be this old, it still has a lively carbonation, foam sitting amongst the top, and bubbles rising. The cork, when extracted (which was no easy task) was still damp. The side of the bottle is stained from laying down for so long, and the neck smells musky and rather nice. Of the beer the aroma is pitty, pithy, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sour cherries. Full bodied -- the yeast particulate floats in this very unfiltered beer -- with a piercing sourness amongst the cherry patches. Absolutely perfectly completely delicious, dangerously drinkable, I’d kill to have this easily available so I could drink it without worry from a traditional lambic tumbler. This beer is frighteningly good.

I spoke with the trader recently and told him I couldn’t bear to open either of the old bottles he gave me. He responded: "About the old bottles, man, it’s only beer. Cosy evening with your partner, open the bottle, and enjoy!" 8 hours later, that is exactly what I have done. Thank you!

update: after consulting with the trader and deciphering the cork, it turns out that the 3F Kriek is indeed the beer I was drinking, at around 25 years old.

poured into tulip. this was a treat, very good and complex. pours a cherry red with full pink head, quickly dissipating, with good clearity. very sour cherry aroma. initial tart and sour taste. sour cherry with a light aged complexity. complex from tart dryness to crisp cherry finish, the aged oak offers an unpronounced background, the cherries bring around a dry almost red wine finish. very good, I was sad to see it go.

Very sour cherry aroma and flavor. Palate is very overwhelmingly fruity. Dark clear red color with no head. Refreshing and very very enjoyable!

Bottled 05/14/04 This beer pours a cherry plumish red with a medium sized purplish head and some of the most amazing lacing ive ever seen. Aroma is jumping all over the place with funkiness abounding. Cherries mixed with plums and sugar...fucking smells fantastic! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH my gawd is this smooth. Sour and tart with just the right bit of cherries and candy sweetness. Smooth with just the right amount of acidity. Liquid cocaine!!!! Im Rick James bitch! Tart with active carbonation and a hint of grapeyness. The balance and mouth puckering tartness balance are just perfect. Its so damn simple but 3 fonteinen has made a fantastic beer. Dry finish, fluffy and sweet. This is a liquid orgasm!

(03/2007. Draft at 3F resto in Beersel). Wow. Aromas of cherries and summertime. A deep ruby with no head to speak of. Only slightly spritzy, nearly flat with a flavor that transports one to the top of the tree where that one slightly underripe and sour cherry blends with the deep, red flavors warmed by countless hours in the sun. A relatively soft palate that is, well near perfect for what this is supposed to be. Someone told me they "missed" this batch ... too many cherries ... I refuse to believe it ... this was a beer that takes you somewhere (from a cold, dark, rainy evening to the top of the cherry tree in summer as a kid with the whole world spread out in front of you). Cheers.

Sharpier and cask-woodier than the Girardin Kriek I had before, also cheesier. Lighter/pinker in color, still completely unfiltered as in the Girardin, beautiful pink huge head. A different animal than the Oud Beersel Kriek and the Girardin...right in the middle between them. Delicious.

2000th rating! Had in the cellar of my work while i was working on a techno nite. Aroma is lambic funk, grassy hints, seems fresh, hints of spice and light cherry stone. Taste is initial dry cherry hints going onto cider apples a tartsourness which is really well balanced by a good amount of cherry that comes through in the finish, which is long pluckering in the mouth. Outstanding something i could drink till it comes out my ears and a great way to celebrate 2000.