Lindemans Peche Lambic
Continuing with my promise to review every beer that passes through my 'fridge, next up is the Belgian Peche Lambic. To quote from the ever resourceful Wikipedia:
Lambic is a very distinctive type of beer brewed only in the Pajottenland region of Belgium (southwest of Brussels) and in Brussels itself at the Cantillon Brewery and museum. Lambic is now mainly consumed after refermentation, resulting in derived beers such as Geuze or Kriek.
Unlike conventional ales and lagers, which are fermented by carefully cultivated strains of brewer's yeasts, lambic beer is instead produced by spontaneous fermentation: it is exposed to the wild yeasts and bacteria that are said to be native to the Senne valley, in which Brussels lies. It is this unusual process which gives the beer its distinctive flavour: dry, vinous, and cidery, with a slightly sour aftertaste.
I normally don't seek out lambics, but Bella bought a 750ml bottle of the Lindemans Peche and poured me a glass and I liked it a lot. I've had the Lindemans Cherry Lambic in the past and enjoyed that too. If you're in the mood for something a little off the beaten path, the Peche Lambic might do the trick. There's obviously a fruit flavor in this beverage, but this beer is far from being 'fruity' (wine cooler this is not!). There's a really nice cider-like kick to this. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that anyone who likes a fine cider like Strongbow or Hornsby's will become a fan of the lambic too.
Lambic is a very distinctive type of beer brewed only in the Pajottenland region of Belgium (southwest of Brussels) and in Brussels itself at the Cantillon Brewery and museum. Lambic is now mainly consumed after refermentation, resulting in derived beers such as Geuze or Kriek.
Unlike conventional ales and lagers, which are fermented by carefully cultivated strains of brewer's yeasts, lambic beer is instead produced by spontaneous fermentation: it is exposed to the wild yeasts and bacteria that are said to be native to the Senne valley, in which Brussels lies. It is this unusual process which gives the beer its distinctive flavour: dry, vinous, and cidery, with a slightly sour aftertaste.
I normally don't seek out lambics, but Bella bought a 750ml bottle of the Lindemans Peche and poured me a glass and I liked it a lot. I've had the Lindemans Cherry Lambic in the past and enjoyed that too. If you're in the mood for something a little off the beaten path, the Peche Lambic might do the trick. There's obviously a fruit flavor in this beverage, but this beer is far from being 'fruity' (wine cooler this is not!). There's a really nice cider-like kick to this. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that anyone who likes a fine cider like Strongbow or Hornsby's will become a fan of the lambic too.
I've tried all three varieties in the Lindemans family, and the Framboise (raspberry) is by far the best.