Beer "Timmermans Creek" refers to natural cherry lambics. This is a traditional Belgian foamy drink made from cherries. But it also has a very significant difference from similar types of alcohol. Timmermans Creek is made on the basis of fresh cherry berries, and not on their juice. Moreover, this drink is made at one of the world's oldest breweries in accordance with the original recipe, which is kept secret.
The Timmermans company was founded at the very beginning of the eighteenth century and is still operating.
Main characteristics
Timmerlance Creek contains unmalted wheat (about 40% of the mound) and malt pils. Hops are added in a minimal amount and only the old one, which is not bitter. It is needed to give a better consistency. Another important nuance is that the basis of this beer is only sour cherries. Therefore, its taste is sweet and sour, with pronounced fruity notes. And it completely lacks hop bitterness.
According to Timmermans Creek reviews, this drink is more like a compote with alcohol than a beer. This variety is not just fragrant, it can be called fragrant.
Organoleptic qualities
Despite the fact that alcohol is present in the drink, it is drunk quite easily, although this is precisely why it is dangerous. After all, intoxication comes unnoticed. In general, all fruit lambics are easy to drink, alcohol has a slight unobtrusive warming effect. It is impossible for them to burn their throats, there is no pronounced alcohol or, worse, fusel flavor.
The Timmermans Creek Lambic has a beautiful garnet-ruby color, after spilling on the glasses a dense pink hue is formed. Oddly enough, but the bouquet is not limited to cherries, thanks to the stone, it still has bright nutty notes and the aroma of flowers.
A bit about the brewery
The history of this enterprise began back in 1702. It was then that, near the center of Brussels, Jacobs Valraven opened a small brewery called the Beer Mole. In addition, he owned a farm, orchard, cafe and malt house.
The very first lambic here was prepared in 1781. After that, the company ceased to produce ordinary beer and engaged exclusively in fruit. Lambic is a national drink, one might say, a visiting card of Belgium.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, when the fifth generation of the Timmermans led the brewery, Francis Timmermans-in-law Paul Van Gustem proposed changing the name of the company to Timmermans Brewery.
An important fact: Timmermans Creek, like other lambics, is a seasonal drink, since its fermentation process is possible only in winter. The hot season is considered dangerous for this process, as unwanted bacteria can enter the wort.
Production technology
Cherry Timmermans Creek is prepared on the basis of sour and dry lambic with a minimum exposure of one year. In this drink, cherry berries are soaked, on which a small incision is made previously, the bones are not removed. The berry portion is about 30%. The process of insisting takes several months. After all, all cherry sugar should be fermented. Timermans Creek is produced according to the classical technology and therefore no additional sweet components are added.
After the fermentation process ends, the berries are removed, and the drink is filtered. This is followed by a blend.
The real "Scream" is always produced by combining several species of different ages.
Since Timmermans Creek is a lambic, it is prepared using the method of spontaneous fermentation. This refers to the fact that the technology does not provide for the addition of yeast. They simply open the lid on a barrel of raw materials, and microorganisms themselves get inside and activate the fermentation process.
How to drink
For this drink, there are special pot-bellied glasses called snifters. Their volume can be 0.3 or 0.5 liters. In some establishments, Timmermans Creek is served in tall, trapezoidal glasses, like a weissbier.
This drink can be consumed without snacks. In this case, the taste will be better revealed. And if you take into account that the drink is already quite high-calorie, then the young ladies who are following the figure are strongly advised not to eat “Scream” with anything.
But if society requires a gastronomic addition, then it will be appropriate to serve dessert, fruit, cheesecake or a light salad. Some foodies believe that this cherry drink will complement goat cheese or Indian dishes. But this is not for everybody. Before serving, “Scream” should be cooled.
Museum Timmermans
In autumn 2009, the owners of the company opened a special museum in which visitors can plunge into history and watch the process of lambic production in the past. This is quite an exciting event.
Now the brewery has a very long official name: Brouwerij Timmermans - John Martin NV This is due to the fact that in 1993 Timmermans became part of the largest Belgian company engaged in the production and distribution of spruce from almost all over the world.
This company has its own interesting story. It was founded in 1909 by John Martin. This enterprise does not have its own production; such firms are often called representatives of contract brewing.
It was the Englishman John Martin who became the importer of the famous Irish Guinness and the English Bass. It was with his easy hand that the production of soft drinks began under the now world-famous Schweps brand. Now the company is led by the grandson of the legendary John - Anthony Martin.