Dovetail Vignette Kriek 12.7OZ

Dovetail Vignette Kriek 12.7OZ is a spontaneously fermented kriek-style ale from Dovetail Brewery in Chicago, bottled at approximately 6.5% ABV in 12.7oz (375ml) format. This landmark release holds the distinction of being Chicago's first commercially produced kriek, fermented for over two and a half years and conditioned on 2,300 pounds of Michigan-grown Balaton cherries.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~6.5%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Kriek (Spontaneous Cherry Ale)  |  Brewery: Dovetail Brewery

Production & Heritage

Dovetail Brewery in Chicago focuses on traditional Belgian and German brewing techniques, and the Vignette Kriek represents one of their most ambitious expressions. The grain bill consists of 60% pilsner malt and 40% unmalted wheat, brewed using a turbid mash process with aged hops — a method directly drawn from the Belgian lambic tradition. Wort is cooled overnight in a custom coolship, where it inoculates with wild yeasts native to the Chicago environment, initiating a spontaneous fermentation that unfolds over more than two and a half years before the beer is racked onto whole Balaton cherries sourced from Michigan. This extended timeline and reliance on local microflora give the Vignette Kriek a terroir-driven character distinct from its European counterparts.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Tart cherry juice and cherry skin lead the nose, layered with sourdough funk and barnyard-like earthiness. Dried hay, a touch of oak, and a faint salinity emerge as the beer opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is vibrantly tart, driven by fresh lemon and assorted citrus alongside pronounced cherry-skin dryness. The mid-palate reveals a toasty underpinning of subtle white pepper and sourdough, while the cherry fruit imparts more stem and skin character than overt sweetness. Complex funk and oak weave through the progression.

Finish: Extremely dry and airy, with lingering tart citrus and a dusty, old-world oak quality. The finish is clean and refreshing despite its depth, encouraging another sip.

How to Drink Vignette Kriek

Serve at cellar temperature, around 45–50°F, in a tulip glass or traditional lambic tumbler to concentrate the aromatics. This kriek is best enjoyed on its own, given the complexity earned through years of spontaneous fermentation. For those inclined to experiment: blend it with a young gueuze for a layered tart experience, pair it as the sour component in a Cherry Berliner-style shandy with a light wheat beer, or use a small pour as a sophisticated substitute for dry vermouth in a beer-based aperitif alongside Campari and soda.

Best For

• Gifting a sour beer enthusiast or lambic collector
• Pairing with a curated cheese board at an intimate dinner
• Celebrating a milestone with a rare, limited-production American wild ale
• Introducing an adventurous craft beer drinker to the spontaneous fermentation tradition

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Vignette Kriek taste like? Vignette Kriek is vibrantly tart with dominant cherry-skin dryness, sourdough funk, citrus, and an oak-forward backbone — far more funky and dry than sweet.

How does Vignette Kriek compare to de Garde kriek? Both are American-made spontaneous-style ales with prominent old-world oak funk, but Vignette Kriek relies on Chicago's native wild yeasts and Michigan Balaton cherries, while de Garde utilizes the terroir of Tillamook, Oregon, giving each a distinct regional microflora fingerprint.

Is Vignette Kriek good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the two-and-a-half-year fermentation and cherry conditioning create enough complexity and depth to reward slow, contemplative drinking at cellar temperature without any additions.

Where is Vignette Kriek made? Vignette Kriek is produced at Dovetail Brewery in Chicago, Illinois, using spontaneous fermentation in a custom coolship that captures wild yeasts native to the city's environment.

What foods pair well with Vignette Kriek? Aged Gouda or Gruyère complement the oak-driven funk; duck rillettes match the beer's tart acidity; a simple charcuterie plate with cornichons mirrors its dryness; dark chocolate with dried cherries echoes the fruit; and fresh goat cheese provides a creamy counterpoint to the beer's sharp tartness.

What sizes does Vignette Kriek come in? Vignette Kriek is available in 12.7oz (375ml) bottles, the traditional format for Belgian-style sour ales and lambics.

Is Vignette Kriek worth the price? Vignette Kriek positions as a premium American wild ale, justified by over two and a half years of spontaneous fermentation, the cost of 2,300 pounds of Michigan cherries per batch, and its status as a limited-production release — placing it in line with similarly priced domestic spontaneous ales.

Why Vignette Kriek?

Chicago's first commercially produced kriek is not simply a novelty — it is a legitimate entry in the American spontaneous ale movement, built on the same turbid mash and coolship methods that define the great Belgian lambic houses. The use of Balaton cherries from Michigan adds a distinctly Midwestern identity, while the extended fermentation of over two and a half years develops a complexity that separates it from quick-soured cherry beers flooding the market. High user ratings on both Untappd (3.9/5 across thousands of ratings) and BeerAdvocate (individual scores reaching 4.35/5) reflect genuine enthusiasm from the sour beer community. For drinkers seeking an American-made kriek with authentic traditional production and regional terroir, Dovetail's Vignette stands as one of the most credible options available.