Schaarbeekse Krieken

Schaarbeek Cherries

Sour-cherries of the "Schaarbeekse" variety used to be used by lambic brewers and geuze makers to make the traditional kriek. Originally it was only made once a year when the harvest was available. Often people from the wide surroundings would bring the cherries to the brewery. The brewers and blenderies also bought these cherries at the market in Schaarbeek.

Relatively small amounts of these cherries are currently harvested in different places in Belgium, but they are still referred to as Schaarbeek cherries. The eastern banks of the Zenne river in the city of Schaarbeek were -quite some time ago in the past- covered with this variety of cherries. In the past, lambic brewers bought this very high-quality cherry variety at the wholesale market in Schaarbeek, hence the name Schaarbeek cherry.

The cultivation of Schaarbeek cherry is not a profitable activity for other industries.

It is usually opted to plant a larger variety of cherry, which generates more yield.

This is why there are almost no Schaarbeek cherries available on the market.

However, the flavor profile of Schaarbeekse Kriek is unique, and perfectly matches the character of lambic.

This is why brewers and blenderies go in search of these cherries to produce a fine bottle of Oude Kriek.

HORAL, together with its partners, is conducting research on Schaarbeekse Kriek with the goal of creating a handbook and persuading fruit growers to re-grow these cherries for lambic producers.