Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lambic beer?

Lambic is a traditional Belgian beer made through spontaneous fermentation, where the wort is exposed to wild yeasts and bacteria in the open air, creating a sour, complex and dry beer style.

What does “wild beer” mean?

Wild beer refers to beers fermented using wild or non-cultured yeast strains and bacteria, rather than controlled brewer’s yeast, often producing funky, tart and unpredictable flavour profiles.

What is the difference between Lambic and wild ale?

Lambic is a specific traditional style from Belgium with strict regional production methods, while wild ale is a broader category that can be brewed anywhere using similar spontaneous or mixed fermentation techniques.

What do Lambic and wild beers taste like?

They are typically sour, dry and complex, with flavours that can include green apple, citrus, barnyard funk, earthiness and sometimes fruity or vinous notes depending on ageing and blending.

Why are Lambic beers sour?

The sourness comes from naturally occurring bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Pediococcus, along with wild yeast strains that develop acidity during long barrel fermentation.

Are all wild beers sour?

Not all are intensely sour, but most wild beers have some level of tartness or funk, ranging from gently tangy to sharply acidic depending on fermentation methods.

What is Gueuze?

Gueuze is a blended Lambic made from mixing young and aged Lambic beers, which is then bottle-fermented to create a highly carbonated, complex sour beer.

What is Kriek?

Kriek is a Lambic beer fermented with sour cherries, creating a fruity sour beer that combines tartness with cherry flavour.

Are Lambic beers always made in Belgium?

Authentic Lambic is only produced in the Pajottenland region of Belgium, although similar wild and spontaneous fermentation beers are made elsewhere.

Are wild beers the same as sour beers?

Not exactly. “Sour beer” is a broad umbrella term, while wild beer specifically refers to fermentation using wild yeast and bacteria, which may or may not result in strong sourness.