FORT COLLINS, Co – On February 19, 2011 Odell Brewing will release Friek, the newest offering in its Single Serve series of beers. Friek is a creative amalgamation invented by the brewers, blending a Kriek style ale with a Framboise.
Multiple Kriek Lambic ales were brewed over the past three years and fermented with a combination of yeasts (some wild), lactobacillus, and pediococcus. Then, 3500 pounds of sweet and tart cherries were added, and the beer was transferred into oak barrels where it aged taking on the cherry flavors. As the beer matured, Framboises (raspberries) from Schroyer Family Farms in Fort Collins were hand-picked by Odell Brewing co-workers and readied for the beer. The fresh raspberries were added just before the final blending.
Light and effervescent in the nose, Friek marries a tart cherry pucker with a bright raspberry finish. The two flavors comingle on the tongue, and the lactobacillus creates a sour complexity that accentuates the fruit. The beer is 100% bottle conditioned in Champagne style cork and cage finish bottles.
“Friek demonstrates our respect for the traditional Lambic style ale,” said head brewer Joe Mohrfeld, “We brewed the beer in a way that both embraces this tradition but also incorporates American craft beer innovation.”
Odell Brewing will celebrate the release of Friek, with a Tap Room “Friek Out” on February 19, 2011 from 4-6pm. The Cupcake Cruiser will be at the brewery serving red velvet cupcakes with orange raspberry cream cheese icing. Guests can enjoy samples of Friek paried with the cupcakes as well as live music by The Commoners.
Friek will be available in limited quantities throughout the brewery’s nine state distributor region at a suggested retail price of $17.99 per bottle.