3 Fonteinen Oude Kriekenlambik (Season 20|21) Blend No. 15 750ML

Description

3 Fonteinen Oude Kriekenlambik (Season 20|21) Blend No. 15 750ML is a spontaneously fermented Belgian kriek lambic bottled at 6.6% ABV in a 750ml bottle. This seasonal blend earns its “Zr Oude Kriekenlambik” (Very Old Kriek Lambic) designation thanks to a base of predominantly two- and three-year-old lambik an unusually mature foundation that deepens complexity far beyond typical kriek offerings.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.6% | Origin: Beersel, Pajottenland, Belgium | Style: Oude Kriekenlambik | Brewery: Brouwerij 3 Fonteinen

Production & Heritage

Brouwerij 3 Fonteinen operates in Beersel, at the heart of Belgium’s Pajottenland one of the only regions on earth where the wild yeast strains responsible for spontaneous fermentation occur naturally. The brewery’s grist bill consists of 60% barley malt and 40% unmalted wheat, brewed with aged hops and water, then left to ferment and mature in oak barrels without any added yeast or cultures. For this kriek expression, hand-picked whole sour cherries are macerated on young lambic at a concentration of 340 grams per litre for a minimum of four months. Blend No. 15 is particularly distinctive: its base includes 36% three-year-old lambik and 58% two-year-old lambik, yielding an exceptionally aged foundation that justifies the “Zr Oude” distinction reserved for blends of older-than-average stock.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe sour cherry dominates the nose immediately, followed by a wave of almond-like sweetness reminiscent of cherry Bakewell tart. Underneath, earthy funk and gentle oak emerge as the beer warms in the glass.

Taste: The palate opens with bright, tart cherry that hits with genuine fruit intensity rather than confected sweetness. At the mid-palate, layers of smoke, leather, and wet tobacco surface, revealing the depth that extended lambik aging provides. The acidity is firm but balanced, supported by an oak-driven tannic backbone and a medium body that carries the cherry character without thinning out.

Finish: The finish is long and drying, with tart cherry skin lingering alongside rustic, slightly funky farmhouse notes. A faint almond sweetness and subtle woody tannin close things out cleanly.

How to Drink Oude Kriekenlambik

Serve at cellar temperature around 812C (4654F) in a tulip glass or wine glass to concentrate the complex aromatics. This is best enjoyed on its own, treated more like a fine wine than a conventional beer. For cocktail-curious drinkers: try it in a Kriek Kir by replacing the wine in a traditional Kir with this lambic and a splash of cassis; in a Belgian Spritz, combining it with a dry sparkling wine and a lemon twist for an aperitif-style serve; or in a Lambic Shandy, lengthened with sparkling lemonade on warm days for a refreshing, lower-intensity drink.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Belgian beer enthusiast or lambic collector
• Pairing alongside a multi-course tasting menu as a wine alternative
• Celebrating a special occasion with something genuinely rare and seasonal
• Introducing an adventurous wine drinker to the world of spontaneous fermentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Oude Kriekenlambik taste like? It delivers bright, tart sour cherry up front with a complex undercurrent of smoke, leather, almond, and oak-driven funk. The acidity is pronounced but refined, more akin to a sour red wine than a typical fruit beer.

How does Oude Kriekenlambik compare to Cantillon Kriek? Both are traditionally produced Belgian krieks using spontaneous fermentation and whole fruit, and both are held in the highest regard among lambic enthusiasts. 3 Fonteinen’s version is often described as slightly rounder and more fruit-forward, while Cantillon Kriek tends toward a sharper, drier acidity though both represent the pinnacle of the style.

Is Oude Kriekenlambik good for sipping neat? Absolutely this is a contemplative beer designed for slow, attentive drinking at cellar temperature, ideally from a tulip or wine glass to appreciate its aromatic complexity.

Where is Oude Kriekenlambik made? It is produced at Brouwerij 3 Fonteinen in Beersel, a small municipality in Belgium’s Pajottenland region southwest of Brussels. This area’s unique microflora makes it one of the few places where traditional spontaneous lambic fermentation is possible.

What foods pair well with Oude Kriekenlambik? Aged Gouda or Comt cheese mirrors the beer’s tangy depth; duck liver pt contrasts richly against the acidity; dark chocolate truffles complement the cherry and almond notes; grilled lamb with a cherry reduction creates a harmonious echo; and fresh goat cheese with arugula provides a lighter, complementary pairing.

What sizes does Oude Kriekenlambik come in? This blend is available in the standard 750ml bottle, consistent with the format 3 Fonteinen uses for most of its seasonal kriek releases.

Is Oude Kriekenlambik worth the price? This positions as a premium, limited-seasonal release within the lambic category a space where production volumes are inherently small and aging timelines are long. The use of over-aged lambik base stock and 340 grams of cherries per litre places it among the more generous and labor-intensive krieks available.

Why Oude Kriekenlambik?

Blend No. 15 from the Season 20|21 series stands out even within 3 Fonteinen’s acclaimed lineup because of its unusually mature lambik base 36% three-year-old and 58% two-year-old stock earning the rare “Zr Oude” classification. That extended aging translates directly into greater depth, with the oak and funky complexity serving as a structural counterpoint to the 340 grams per litre of hand-picked sour cherries. In a category defined by patience and terroir, this blend represents a distillation of what makes Pajottenland lambic irreplaceable: wild fermentation, time, and whole fruit used without shortcuts. For anyone serious about sour beer, this is a benchmark expression.