Recently released mirabelle plum lambic from a new lambic blender in Bever, a village in the Pajottenland region, using De Troch and De Herberg lambic. One of apparently only 700 bottles made so far. Off-white, thin and loose, open 'head' fizzing away into almost nothing in instants; hazy warm peachy orange blonde robe. Aroma indeed carrying mirabelle plum in a somewhat 'unripe' kind of way, plum kernels, stale lemon juice, old books, dusty attic, urine, wrinkled old storage apples, old dry leather, some of that typical De Troch bitter weed scent but less strong than usual when this lambic is applied, pickled apricot, wild lingonberries, dry earth. Tart, fruity onset, lots of mirabelle flavour - like yellow plum but less juicy and more astringent, quite 'mals' in all though, with side notes of wild berries, crabapple and unripe peach; slight 'lemoniness' around the edges of a very softly carbonated (as good as flat), continuously dry and slightly wry core, bready in its heart but harshened a bit by the astringent effects of the fruit (skins, I guess) and lactic acid, yet remaining quite elegant and colourful too. Outspoken tannic mirabelle kernel bitterness in the finish, marrying with that 'bitter weed' effect of De Troch, while Herberg acts out balance and 'malsheid' - a somewhat tense equilibrium, because fruit pulls everything more to the tannic, wry and bitter side in the end, aided by wood and old hops as well. A bone dry finish is the result, but still maintaining stonefruit fleshiness and colourful 'orange' fruitiness, the latter even becoming a bit citric. Retronasally, a very volatile but unmistakable whiff of oaky vanillin passes by. 'Flat' fruit lambic with some sharper edges here and there, but well stuffed with this old-fashioned plum relative and not lacking in basic lambic complexity. Very decent for a first attempt (at least commercially speaking) and promising to say the least, though still feeling a tad immature.

At Grote Dorst November 23. Possibly out of a box. Not sure. Anyway I think I got one of the last pours it being a bit grim looking. Hazed dirty plum tinged dark gold. Lots of fruit lumps. No head. Looks flat. Pretty tart overall with decent plummy fruit running through. Fusty and musky. Drinks way better than it looks. Bit of life on the palate. Fruity tart finish. Me and the missus wrestled over this one, I recall.

15 October 2023. At In de Verzekering tegen de Grote Dorst.

A: hazy light red, no head.
A: cherry jam & flesh, almond, lemon.
T: sour cherry juice, lemon, wheat, almond.
F: tart cherry, bitter cherry skin, some lemon acid.
P: medium body, slick texture, flat carbonation.
Quite basic but an adequate Kriek basis.

9 April 2023. At In de Verzekering Tegen de Grote Dorst. Shared with the lovely Anke!

A: clear to hazy red, no head.
A: overripe plum, peach, hibiscus, rosewater, redcurrant.
T: sour plum, redcurrant, perfumey hibiscus, pink grapefruit.
F: tart red fruit, plum, bitter grapefruit peel.
P: medium body, slick texture, soft carbonation.
Full plum taste with surprising bitterness.

On tap at Grote Dorst, pours a deep dark red with a small white head. Aroma brings out intense, raw cherries, cherry pith and a touch of earthy pith. Flavour is full of raw cherries, earthiness, and subdued funk. Nice earthy, cherry skins finish. Raw, immature but clearly could be good after blending and maturing.

On tap at Grote Dorst, pours a clear dark amber orange with a tiny head. Aroma is extremely acidic, with intensely acidic plums and gentle earthy funk. Flavour is quite different, with intensely juicy plums, some earthiness, a touch of subtle smokiness, and light leather. Really juicy fresh plums. Rough and immature but nice for what it is.