Leifmans

[smiller]

All you discerning imbibers of all things "beer" may - or may not - know that recently the historic Leifman brewery in Belgium went bankrupt. This is not good. My local used to sell Kreik and Frambozen, and a welcome occasional change they were to Dragon Smoke Stout and Black Magic Mild etc etc

Leifmans are (were?) regarded as the finest exponents of the fruit based Lambic beers; cherry and raspberry being exceptional examples of the style. Obviously fruity in the initial hit on the palate, but with a superb astringency to finish. I tried a poor relation earlier tonight by a brewery called "Bacchus", and it was an awful copy; same bottle, same tissue wrapping, no cork. It was like drinking 5% Panda Cherry Pops.

There is hope, apparently though.

Leifman's receivers are about to release the last warehouse full of the last batches of their beers. The landlord at my local is in contact with the people concerned, and is looking to buy a large percentage of the last stock.

So, if - in the coming weeks - you see some Leifmans beers on the shelf, buy as much as you can. Not sure if it's worth laying down, but it'll be collectable.

[prand]

Hmmm, if this is the same fruit beer in a wrapper I had in London a while back, I can't say I'm too sad. Too sour, and not beery enough!

I hate to turn down any alcohol, but I couldn't even imagine this beer being an acquired taste, or get used to it after a few I'm afraid to say.

[bint]

Nooooooooo i love Kriek and Frambosen - hmmm have a local wine store that sells that sort of thing by the caseload, may have to pop round....

[smiller]

prand said:

Hmmm, if this is the same fruit beer in a wrapper I had in London a while back, I can't say I'm too sad. Too sour, and not beery enough!

I hate to turn down any alcohol, but I couldn't even imagine this beer being an acquired taste, or get used to it after a few I'm afraid to say.

There are quite a few Belgian fruit beers that come in tissue wrapped bottles; Leifmans come in mini-champagne bottles with corks and a wire tie-down. Having said that, Leifmans Kreik is a sour cherry beer, and being based on a lambic recipe shouldn't taste "beery". Don't forget that the likes of Duval / Piraat / Hoegaarden are called beers, but are far removed from what we call beer in the English sense.

It's whatever flicks your switch, really.