Farm-to-Glass Brewing
Kriek Beer From Orchard to Glass
Discover how handpicked Schaerbeek cherries and artisanal methods create our signature Handgeplukte Kriek®—fresh from our orchard to your glass.
Our Kriek Crafting Process
Experience the orchard-to-glass journey behind every pour.
At Lyons Peak Brewing Company, every batch of Handgeplukte Kriek® is a testament to our dedication to quality and tradition. From handpicking only the ripest Schaerbeek cherries to carefully paying attention to detail at each decision point. This is how we ensure every step preserves the bold, natural flavors you expect of a Kriek Lambic-style beer made from 100% Schaerbeek cherries.
Handpicked Cherries
Friends and family select only the finest Schaerbeek cherries from our own orchard at peak ripeness, guaranteeing bold flavor and freshness in every batch. This may sound ridiculous, but we taste through each tree, and hand pick each cherry only when it is at the peak of Schaerbeek cherry perfection.
✓ Superior cherry flavor
✓ Picked by friends and family
✓ Certified organic (CDFA# 37-013338)
Fruit Selection
Kris Michielsen supplied Schaerbeek cherry trees to Cantillon, Dre Fontainen, and to us. We cull all trees that do not meet Kris’s standards of the Schaerbeek type.
✓ No additives, natural or artificial
✓ Intense natural color, flavor, and aroma (Many ask if we add cinnamon. Never. That’s the natural Schaerbeek aroma shining through!)
✓ Just 100% Schaerbeek cherries grown on our property
Mixed Fermentation
Base beer is brewed when it’s cool, December through April. Multiple strains of lactobacillus, saccharomyces, brettanomyces, and pediococcus in every glass.
✓ 60% Belgian Base Malt
✓ 40% Unmalted Wheat
✓ Primary and secondary fermentation in wood
Seasonal Brewing
Everything we do at Lyons Peak Brewing Company is tied to the seasons.
✓Base lambic is fermented December-April in wooden barrels. Remains in wood until cherries picked in August.
✓Young lambic is racked onto cherries in August. Spontaneous refermentation occurs; remains on cherries until desired flavor profile achieved (The perfect balance of lactic acid sour, horse blanket funk, and Schaerbeek cherry perfection)
✓1 to 3 year old lambic blended to achieve desired lactic/fruit/funk balance
✓ Limited-edition releases (2025 = 1778 bottles)
✓ Direct farm-to-glass funk
The Science and Art of Brewing with Cherries
Brewing with orchard-fresh, handpicked cherries requires a careful balance of science and art. Cherries introduce natural sugars and wild yeasts, which can create unpredictable fermentation challenges. We monitor each batch closely to ensure a clean, controlled process that lets the fruit shine in harmony with lactic acid sourness and brett funk.
Cherry beers develop complex flavors during fermentation. The skin, flesh, and pit each contribute distinct notes—from tart and juicy to subtle almond undertones from the pits. By adjusting timing and temperature, we highlight these unique flavors.
Seasonality plays a crucial role. Each harvest produces cherries with different sweetness and acidity, resulting in subtle differences between batches. This means every kriek beer from Lyons Peak Brewing Company is truly one-of-a-kind, reflecting what God and nature have given us that year. No two years/batches will ever be exactly the same. We hope you enjoy collecting and tasting through Handgeplukte Kriek “verticals.”
