What do you know about cherry beer?

Adding cherries to beer is a variation that has gained ground even outside specialist circles. It combines the tartness of the fruit with the sweetness and bitterness of the beer, creating a unique and sensational flavor experience. Let’s explore where this type of beer comes from, how it’s made, and some popular brands that produce it.

There are different approaches:

There are several versions of cherry beer, each with its own flavor profile and distinctive characteristics. Some of the most common types include:

• Kriek: a Belgian spontaneously fermented beer made with sour cherries, usually based on a lambic. It has a sweet-and-sour flavor and often stands out for its effervescence.
• Fruit Beer: under this label you’ll usually find the most modern beers. In the case of those brewed with sweet cherries, they have a softer and sweeter flavor compared to Kriek.
• Cherry Stout: a dark beer rich in nuances, brewed with sour cherries. It has a sweet-and-sour flavor and is often paired with chocolate or desserts.

But are they brewed like a regular beer?

The process of making cherry beer depends on the base style you start from. However, there are some general points to keep in mind. It’s advisable to add the cherries to the wort during the mashing process to extract their flavor and aroma. The amount of cherries used can vary depending on the recipe.

During fermentation, the sugars from the cherries also ferment, which affects the flavour. This also produces more alcohol, but this is usually offset by the water the fruit contributes. In any case, we should not be surprised if the final result loses its sweetness. In some cases, such as Kriek, maturation takes place in oak barrels so that the flavours can balance out.

Is cherry beer only produced in Belgium?

The addition of cherries to beer has spread across the world. Let’s look at three commercial examples: one Belgian, one English and a third from outside Europe.

• Kriek de Ranke: a Belgian Kriek brewed with fresh cherries and aged in barrels for two years. It has a complex sweet-and-sour flavor with notes of oak and almond.
• Samuel Smith's Organic Cherry Fruit Beer: an English beer brewed with sweet cherries. It has a smooth, refreshing flavor with a light tart touch.
• Founders Cerise: American beer brewed with sour Michigan cherries. It has a tart, “funky” flavor.

In short, cherry beer is a refreshing and delicious option for those looking to try something new. With its unique combination of sweet and tart flavors, this drink is perfect for enjoying on a sunny afternoon or as a dessert pairing. Whether you prefer a barrel‑aged Belgian Kriek or a milder English fruit beer, there’s a cherry beer to suit every taste. Cheers!