Smiske Kriek

[Jay]

Hi everyone,

Thought I'd share the beer I opened for yesterdays Belgian Sunday and so I dug deep and opened one from Smiske, in particular Johan's fruit based beer Smiske Kriek.

This particular beer is knocking on the door of 6 years old, so how has it held up 

Wonderfully      the past 6 years have had no negative affect on the Kriek, no nasty mustiness or wet cardboard flavours creeping in, no doubt its formidable 12% ABV keeping them at bay.

Loads of tart black cherry, chocolate, vinous, sour cherry jam, rich malts, funkiness, lactic....it's still an absolute killer kriek.



Cheers
Jay 




     

[Trappist]

the past 6 years have had no negative affect on the Kriek

Wow Jay 
If that isn't some sign of quality 
This Kriek from Johan sure is one of the all-time best Krieks ever made here in Belgium ..... and .... I'm not exaggerating 
Cheers,
Filip

[Viv]

Hi Jay,

I'm not sure whether the Kriek bottle was 6 years old, and/or whether you had had the bottle
6 years as well....

I know it's so very hard to resist buying when you see some very tempting looking beers that
maybe you haven't yet tasted, or haven't tasted for many years! But having too many in stock
ensures some are maybe going to be past their best when you finally get the opportunity to
taste them!  I still have exactly 300 bottles in stock, which will take me at least another 12
months to get through, so no doubt many new beers will be available in that period so how do
I resist them so that I can finally catch up!!!

I much prefer having around 50 bottles in stock, so that I am not having to worry about
any next batch ordering-delivery time involved, and can also taste new brews quite quickly
following their release and availability, and subsequent purchase.

I find it hard enough keeping up with just Belgian brews so it must be extremely hard
for you as you regularly taste beers from all over the world!!!

Cheers mate!


Viv


     

[Trappist]

I much prefer having around 50 bottles in stock

Hi Viv,

50 Bottles for me is already quite alot.
My strategy is to only buy beers that can mature for stocking up. Actually, that's not that many beers. (example: Rodenbach Vintage)
But mainly, Belgian beer needs to be savoured fresh.
That's why I nearly always buy my beers at small quantities at supermarkets or beer shops/warehouses, or at the source ofcourse, i.e. breweries.
That would be about 25 bottles something, and believe me, they sure don't last for long.
My stocking room are the shops - always fresh beer 

Cheers,
Filip

[Viv]

Hi Filip,

It must be great knowing that you can walk or get in the car and visit bars and restaurants
where you never quite know what beers may be available, although obviously they will be
Belgian. And to walk into the shops, supermarkets, etc and find a large selection too. And
you will also know that certain beers are to be found at certain bars and restaurants if you
fancy one or two there.

Therefore, as you say, there's really no need to have many bottles at home, but maybe
just enough to enjoy some at home as you probably don't go out to eat &/or drink every day.

Plus of course you get the beers as fresh as possible!

It's almost like living in your own beershop!

Cheers!


Viv

 

[Trappist]

Therefore, as you say, there's really no need to have many bottles at home, but maybe
just enough to enjoy some at home as you probably don't go out to eat &/or drink every day.

Hi Viv,
Yes, we sure don't go eating and drinking on a daily basis  , but weekly, yes.
Also interesting to watch the commercial folders, because frequently some fantastic promotions are done.
These days, the excellent Hapkin is promoted.

€4,09 for six bottles at https://www.colruyt.be/nl/producten/blond-bier-8-5-vol-5159 (Colruyt is the cheapest supermarket as they instantly lower their prices when seen more cheaper elsewhere)
€8,19 for 12 bottles (that's 1 six-pack +1 six-pack for free) at https://www.delhaize.be/nl-be/shop/Dranken-en-alcohol/Bier/Speciaal/Blond-bier-8-5-alc/p/S2020112400472490099



A sign for us to stock up. Buyng 4 of them 6-packs gives a 24 crate at only €16.36
An amazing cheap price for such a quality beer.

Cheers,
Filip

[Jay]

To clear things up a little Viv, this beer was brewed in 2015 and bought maybe the year later in 2016. So the bottles are 6 years old, 5 years in my possession mate 

And speaking of Johan's beers, at the weekend he posted that Sunday was the last day year that you can visit the Smiske brewery this year (fingers crossed for a reopening next year  F_ ) BUT he also mentioned that a brand new beer would be available 

No news on style other than a name (Apotheosese) and picture of the bottle but it looks like a dark ale on 9.1%.....I know what will be a high priority on our visit to Bruges in February.





Cheers,
Jay 


   

[Trappist]

No news on style other than a name (Apotheosese)

Hi Jay,
The name Apotheose worries me.
A word used for the climax of a stage performance, usually the final scene, in which the maximum of splendor and ability is shown.
Knowing https://smisje.wordpress.com/ is for sale, it could well be a very symbolic beer. Hoping this beer will not be Johan's ever last Smisje beer 
I need to taste sasp !
Thanks for sharing this info Jay 
Cheers,
Filip

[Jay]

Hi Jay,
The name Apotheose worries me.
A word used for the climax of a stage performance, usually the final scene, in which the maximum of splendor and ability is shown.
Knowing https://smisje.wordpress.com/ is for sale, it could well be a very symbolic beer. Hoping this beer will not be Johan's ever last Smisje beer 
I need to taste sasp !
Thanks for sharing this info Jay 
Cheers,
Filip

Thanks for shedding light on the name of Johan's new beer, like yourself I really do hope that this isn't the beer he's bowing out with 

I hope you get the chance to try this beer, if successful I know you'll share your thoughts here 👍🏻 This has now topped my to try list come February, maybe Beertje will get a few bottles 

Cheers
Jay 

[Trappist]

I hope you get the chance to try this beer, if successful I know you'll share your thoughts here 👍🏻 This has now topped my to try list come February, maybe Beertje will get a few bottles 

Hi Jay,
I sure want to taste Johan's new beer asap.
If there is one pub that offers it, it should be Brugs Beertje ofcourse.
It's too long time that we went there. Need to make it a priority.
Maybe they also have that other beauty from Johan:



Pi-je-Ma - 12.5 vol%
Quite a shame I still haven't tried it yet 
Pointing towards a pijama, similar to nightcap. A beer to drink just before going to sleep.
With a wordplay Pi (or π) = 3.14
3.14 vol% would be too weak, so Johan tried to make this beer 13.14 vol% strong, without using Champagne yeast whatsoever. Only the house yeast.
Apparently the house yeast could not reach  a 13.14 vol%, but a very satisfying 12.5 vol% is the result.

Cheers,
Filip

[Jay]

That's another beer for the list Filip (and one I'd never heard of) roll on February 👍🏻 and thanks for the info.

Cheers,
Jay

[Trappist]

roll on February 👍🏻

Jay,
Let's hope the Bruges beer fest will take place in February.
It should take place at the new exhibition and conference building at Beursplein.
https://www.brugge.be/beurssite-nieuw-beurs-congresgebouw
But the buidling is far from ready yet, and I fear February could be an impossible date.
Frankly, I don't know what will happen, and waiting is the message. 
Cheers,
Filip

[Jay]

Jay,
Let's hope the Bruges beer fest will take place in February.

Like you say Filip, fingers crossed that the festival can go ahead  BUT even if it doesn't (and travel is fine) we will still be visiting Bruges in February 
We've already booked time off work, flights booked and hotel as well (like last time Bourgoensch Hof on Wollestraat) so like I say "ROLL ON FEBRUARY" and hopefully see you both soon 

Cheers
Jay

[Trappist]

so like I say "ROLL ON FEBRUARY" and hopefully see you both soon 

Hi Jay,
"ROLL ON FEBRUARY" !!!! see you soon !!! Even without the BBF, there is still alot to do over here.
CHEERS
FIlip