De Leite Cuvée Souer’ise

Brouwerij De Leite is another of the great new breweries popping up in Belgium’s current Craft Beer Revolution.  Opened in 2008 after Luc Vermeersch and friend Etienne Van Poucke met Paul Vanneste at brewing school, De Leite has quietly been making a name for itself in Belgium with the quality of its beers.  They’re brewing on a small 6 hectoliter system which was a recent upgrade from their even smaller system.  They’re virtually unknown in the United States, but well worth seeking out if you make the trip to Belgium.

Their Cuvée Soeur’ise is a special version of the their triple.  Blended with 45 kg of cherries and aged in oak  wine barrels with lactobacillus, Cuvée Soeur’ise is an elegantly tart and delightful beer.

Appearance: Pink/red, light pink foam, solid retention.

Aroma: Sour cherry, earthy funk, currants, blackberries, plum, berries, chocolate, hints of oak.

Taste: Chocolate, oak, berries, plums, spicy

Overall Impression: Enjoyably tart, Cuvée Soeur’ise is a wonderfully enjoyable beer.  Packed with big fruity flavors and hints of oak, it’s flavorful and fun.  This was my first beer from De Leite, but I’m hoping it won’t be my last.

Availability: Available in Belgium.

8.5% ABV

Notes: Best by 19 April, 2015