The Glorious Madness of Lindemans Lambics

A Love Letter to Funky Fermentation

By Dathan Kazsuk

Beer, at least to me, is a fermented miracle—an ancient elixir crafted by monks, mad scientists and backyard brewers with a death wish. And then there’s Lambic, the wild, untamed child of the beer world, a concoction that laughs in the face of modern brewing precision. Lindemans, a Belgian brewery that has been perfecting the art of spontaneous fermentation since 1822, is at the center of this organized chaos.

For the uninitiated, Lambic beer is not your average mass-market, hop-heavy IPA or syrupy adjunct lager. No, Lambic is what happens when you let nature take the wheel. Instead of carefully selecting yeast strains, brewers in the Pajottenland region of Belgium simply let the beer sit out and collect whatever airborne yeast and bacteria float by. That’s right—Lambic is basically beer left to the whims of fate. And the result? A complex, tart, funky and sometimes fruit-laden experience that makes your palate question everything it thought it knew about beer.

So, armed with a selection of Lindemans' finest—Kriek, Framboise, Apple and Peach—Screw it Wine & Spirits dove headfirst into the world of Belgian fruit-infused funk. Here’s what went down.

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Kriek: The Cherry Bomb of Our Dreams

Lindemans Kriek is what happens when cherries and Lambic get together for a wild night and make something beautiful. Brewed with real cherries, this Lambic smells like someone just pulled a fresh cherry pie out of the oven. The flavor? Tart, a little tangy, and just sweet enough to keep your face from collapsing in on itself. It’s like popping a handful of sour cherries in your mouth, followed by a crisp, bubbly finish that keeps you coming back for more. If you’re the type who thinks beer should be bitter and brooding, Kriek might just shake your foundations. This and our following selection, we've been drinking for years with absolute delight.

Framboise: Raspberry Candy for Adults

If Kriek is the brooding goth kid of the bunch, Lindemans Framboise is the flamboyant artist painting in neon. This raspberry-infused Lambic is an explosion of juicy berry aroma, with a color so vibrant it looks like it was plucked straight from a 90s Lisa Frank trapper keeper. The flavor? Imagine a raspberry tart, but instead of a buttery crust, you get a mouthwatering zing of acidity balanced by just enough sweetness to keep it approachable. It’s dangerously drinkable, especially if you forget that it’s still, technically, beer.

Apple: The Cider That Isn't

Apple beers tend to be a mixed bag for us, often leaning too hard into artificial sweetness or tasting like someone poured a Bud Light over a Granny Smith. Lindemans Apple, however, is neither of those things. Somewhere between a green apple Jolly Rancher and sipping on a glass of Champagne is where the Apple Lambie registered in my mouth. It was bright and tangy, and it wasn't a difficult decision to say this is a beer I can sip during these hot Carolina summers.

Peach: Summer in a Glass

Now, let’s talk about summer in a bottle—Lindemans Peach. While Kriek and Framboise tend to steal the spotlight, Peach, to me, was a sleeper. It’s softer, rounder and slightly creamier than its berry-based counterparts, offering a smooth, juicy peach flavor with just enough acidity to remind you that you’re drinking a Lambic, not a fuzzy navel. The nose is all ripe orchard fruit with a bit of funk, and the taste is like sipping on a peach Bellini with a wild twist.

Why You Should Be Drinking Lindemans Lambics

There’s an ongoing debate in the beer world about whether fruit Lambics—especially the more accessible, sweetened varieties—are "real" beer. To that, I say: who cares? Beer is meant to be enjoyed, and if Lindemans can convert a few stubborn beer purists into appreciating a well-crafted, spontaneously fermented masterpiece, then mission accomplished.

Lindemans strikes a balance between tradition and modern appeal. While their fruit Lambics are a bit sweeter than the bone-dry, hardcore Gueuze styles that beer nerds love to gatekeep, they’re also a fantastic gateway into the world of wild fermentation. They showcase Lambic's tart, funky and unpredictable nature while remaining deliciously drinkable.

If I had to be honest—I'd say these Lambics are some of the best ways to introduce some of those non-beer drinkers to the wonderful world of sour beers. The Lindeman Lambics are the right amount of effervescent and packed with real fruit flavors. The pair with everything from soft cheeses to decadent desserts—I'm thinking Black Forest Cake!

So, when drinking Lindemans core Lambics, we know they are bottling a piece of Belgian brewing history with every release. Their Lambics may be a little less challenging than the face-twisting sours of old, but that’s what makes them so damn enjoyable. If you’ve never dabbled in the world of spontaneously fermented beers (which we advise you to do so—it's a rabbit hole of enjoyment), these are a stellar place to start.

So grab a bottle, embrace the funk, and toast to the chaos of wild yeast doing what it does best. Cheers!