Une Annee Kriek 2Pk

Une Annee Kriek 2Pk is a 7.5% ABV American Wild Ale brewed with Morello cherries, sold as a two-pack from Une Année Brewery in Niles, Illinois. This kriek stands out for its well-rounded acidity and layered cherry character, earning a 4 out of 5 rating on Untappd across more than 7,800 reviews.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.5%  |  Origin: Niles, Illinois, USA  |  Style: American Wild Ale with Morello Cherry  |  Brewery: Une Année Brewery

Production & Heritage

Une Année Brewery operates out of Niles, Illinois, with a focus on fruited and unfruited American Wild Ales. Their Kriek expression uses Morello cherries — a variety prized for its naturally tart, intensely flavored flesh — layered onto a sour wild ale base. The combination of an already acidic wild ale with the inherent tartness of Morello cherries creates a distinctly assertive sourness that separates this beer from milder, sweetened kriek-style offerings on the market.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright sour cherry dominates the nose immediately, followed by a subtle earthiness and hints of raw oak. A faint vinous quality ties the aromatics together, suggesting ripe stone fruit and mild barnyard funk.

Taste: The entry is sharply tart, with Morello cherry flavor arriving front and center. At mid-palate, the sourness reveals itself as rounded rather than biting — a hallmark of well-managed wild fermentation. The acidity broadens into a full, fruit-forward peak without veering into harsh or one-dimensional territory.

Finish: An oaky dryness emerges on the finish, providing structure beneath the lingering cherry flavor. The sour notes persist with moderate length, leaving a clean tartness that invites another sip.

How to Drink Une Annee Kriek

This kriek drinks best slightly chilled, around 45–50°F, poured into a tulip glass to concentrate the cherry aromatics. It is built for sipping on its own, but its acidity and fruit intensity also make it a compelling ingredient in beer cocktails. A Kriek Kir (blending a small pour with dry sparkling wine) amplifies the cherry notes beautifully. A Berliner Shandy variation — mixing a splash of lemonade with the kriek over ice — softens the tartness for warm-weather drinking. For a more adventurous serve, try a Sour Cherry Michelada using the kriek in place of a standard lager, where its acidity complements lime and hot sauce.

Best For

• Sharing with sour beer enthusiasts who appreciate assertive tartness
• Pairing alongside a charcuterie board at a dinner gathering
• Gifting to a craft beer collector exploring American wild ales
• Serving as a palate-stimulating aperitif before a rich meal

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Une Annee Kriek taste like? Une Annee Kriek delivers a pronounced tart cherry flavor with well-rounded sourness and an oaky, dry finish. The Morello cherry comes through clearly without excessive sweetness, and the acidity is assertive but not harsh.

How does Une Annee Kriek compare to Lindemans Kriek? Lindemans Kriek is a Belgian lambic-based kriek that tends toward noticeable residual sweetness, making it more approachable for newcomers. Une Annee Kriek leans significantly more tart and dry, reflecting its American Wild Ale base and the natural acidity of Morello cherries.

Is Une Annee Kriek good for sipping on its own? Yes — the layered cherry flavor, balanced sourness, and oaky finish make it well-suited for slow, contemplative sipping from a tulip glass at cellar temperature.

Where is Une Annee Kriek made? Une Annee Kriek is brewed by Une Année Brewery in Niles, Illinois, a suburb just northwest of Chicago. The brewery specializes in American Wild Ales, both fruited and unfruited.

What foods pair well with Une Annee Kriek? Duck confit works well, as the beer's acidity cuts through the richness of the meat. Aged gouda or gruyère complement the oaky, tart profile. Dark chocolate truffles echo the cherry notes without clashing. A simple arugula salad with goat cheese and dried cherries mirrors the fruit character. Pork rillettes also pair effectively, with the kriek's tartness balancing the fat.

What sizes does Une Annee Kriek come in? This expression is packaged and sold as a two-pack; individual bottle sizes are standard for the brewery's wild ale lineup.

Is Une Annee Kriek worth the price? Une Annee Kriek positions in the craft specialty tier, where pricing reflects small-batch wild ale production and real fruit additions. For drinkers who value authentic tartness and complexity over sweetened commercial krieks, it represents strong value within the American wild ale category.

Why Une Annee Kriek?

What distinguishes this kriek is the deliberate pairing of an already acidic American Wild Ale base with Morello cherries, a fruit variety that brings its own considerable tartness. The result is a beer where sourness is the architecture, not an afterthought — rounded and full rather than sharp or aggressive. With over 7,800 Untappd ratings averaging 4 out of 5, the consistency of this expression has been validated by a broad community of sour beer drinkers. For anyone serious about exploring the kriek style through an American lens, Une Annee Kriek delivers genuine complexity without relying on added sugar to soften the edges.