Features of Belgian beer: tradition and modernity
Belgium is the most "beer" country in the world: this is confirmed by numerous studies and admiring tourists. The Belgians are very sensitive to the preservation of beer traditions, which is why all beer drinks produced in this country are always tasty and of high quality. What are the other characteristics of Belgian beer and how is it better than other countries?
A hundred points ahead
Of course, quality beer is also produced in Germany, the United States, and even Russia, but nowhere is there such a variety of original styles as in Belgium. Local brewers have had a great influence on brewers all over the world, and they have also provoked the widespread spread of craft beers. In order to catch up with the Belgian masters, brewers in different countries tried to create original varieties, and this led to the expansion of the lines and the creation of new production facilities.
There are hundreds of different beers produced in Belgium, and it is impossible to single out features that are characteristic of all the country's beers without exception. But there are some aspects that are common to most styles:
- Phenolic aromas produced by the yeast. Herbal, spicy, clove aromas are found in almost all Belgian beers.
- Fruit esters are also the result of yeast. They give the aroma of the finished drink hints of citrus or fruit that won't go unnoticed when consumed correctly.
- Sizzle and sparkle. Because many Belgian varieties are subjected to a second fermentation in the bottle, they behave a bit like Champagne when poured. This is also considered a characteristic of Belgian beer.
Despite these similarities, you can easily come across Belgian beers that do not meet any of these criteria. So getting to know Belgian beer is always an unpredictable journey.
Among the country's highlights are:
- Trappist beer, a unique beverage with a centuries-old history, which is brewed only in monasteries. Today only 13 certified breweries are engaged in its production;
- Belgian white ale — a beer made without hops with a beautiful milky-yellow color and rich flavor;
- Lambic — beer of spontaneous fermentation, dry and sour. There are also lambics with added fruit, the most famous variety being Cherry Kriek;
- Flanders red and brown ales — sour beers without a pronounced hop bitterness.
And this is just a small part of the beers from Belgium, which must be tasted by all connoisseurs. Come to the Lambic beer restaurant — let's taste them together!
Blanche de Bruxelles with a boy on the label: two symbols in one bottle
Contents How it all began Exploding If you ask any passerby what could be considered a symbol of Belgium, you will most likely be told two things: beer and a sculpture of a boy peeing. Blanche de Bruxelles is a combination of both: it is a traditional Belgian beer, famous all over the world, with the famous statue on the label. All in all, it is a perfect souvenir that also has a rich history. But first things first. How it all began The first Belgian beer Blanche de Bruxelles was brewed back in the XIV century. It was made by Flanders monks, and they approached the production in a creative way — instead of hops they used gruyte — a special mix of spices and herbs. The beer existed for several centuries and then yielded to lagers because they were easier to produce and therefore were cheaper. The brewer Pierre Celis didn't let the drink go to waste. In the late eighties he recreated the old technology and set up production, and the drink suddenly caught the taste of modern Belgians. The name did not appear immediately, as well as the famous "appearance", but in time the beer with a boy on the label became exactly as we know it now. Exploding First of all, blanche differs from the classic lager in the absence of malt, instead of which brewers use wheat. Hops are not always present; they are replaced by a mixture of spices — orange peel, curacao, coriander — just like many centuries ago. The second distinctive feature is the high carbonation. The fact is that Belgian Blanche De Bruxelles beers are bottled with yeast sludge. Simply put, they are left to ferment in the finished container, at the expense of which the drink is saturated with carbon dioxide. Traditional blanc is produced by Lefebvre brewery, but every day there are more and more craftsmen who risk to repeat the famous drink. And some are even experimenting, creating other, darker varieties based on it. The taste of the original Blanche de Bruxelles beer is very mild, without the traditional hop bitterness, with notes of citrus, vanilla and honey. It is also famous for its long pleasant aftertaste, so it can be enjoyed even without snacks. For Belgian beer "with a peeing boy" to reach its peak, it is chilled to 5–10 degrees and served in tall glasses. True, there is another form of serving — in wooden mugs, and necessarily an even number. Tradition — you can't argue with it! Want to taste the symbol of Belgium? Come to the beer restaurants of the Lambic chain — we have only original beer from the best Belgian producers, the right serving and all the necessary conditions for a pleasant meeting with your favorite drink!
01 March 2021
Delirium tremens - a beer with an elephant on the label that the whole world knows
Contents The Elephant's Secret It would seem that what do white fever and the pink elephant from the cartoon "Dumbo" have in common? That's right, Delirium tremens, a strong Belgian ale that is known and loved all over the world. But it was not always so — the specific name played a cruel joke with the drink. However, this does not prevent Delirium tremens always remaining on the wave of popularity. What is its secret? The Elephant's Secret The pink elephant Jumbo the Younger does not appear on the label by accident — in one of the most famous scenes of the cartoon "Dumbo" he gets drunk and starts seeing hallucinations. The name, which literally translates to "white fever" and is also directly related to alcohol consumption, is fitting as well. But neither of them has anything to do with Delirium tremens — choosing a flamboyant name for their brainchild, the Belgian brewers just wanted to underline their creativity. Not everyone understood the idea: for a long time beer was banned from sale in several countries. The producers listened to the complaints — in some countries the drink is supplied under the abbreviated name of Delirium. But the loud arguments did not stop the success: beer with an elephant on the label won numerous awards all over the world and was even named the best beer on the planet at the World Championships in Chicago in 2008. Belgian beer with the pink elephant has been brewed since 1989, and today it is rightly considered the flagship of Huyghe brewery. Apart from the loud name, Delirium tremens has a memorable appearance — the ceramic-style bottle, colorful label as if drawn from the pages of Dante's book, shiny blue foil wrapped around the neck and covering the lid. But the main advantage of this variety is still the excellent taste. Delirium tremens is brewed using three different strains of yeast, one of which is unique. The result is a strong drink (8.5% alcohol) with a complex flavor. At the beginning you can feel rich tones of fruit, which are replaced by the sweetness of caramel, and in the aftertaste — tones of honey and pepper. It has a full-bodied aroma with distinct notes of herbs and spices, and an attractive appearance — a golden color and a stable foamy cap. Delirium tremens changed not only the Belgian beer world, but also the Huyghe brewery itself — the pink elephant became the symbol of the brewery. And the real fans of the brewery organized the "Brotherhood of the Pink Elephant", which actively promotes Delirium tremens to the masses. Join the brotherhood — come to the Lambic beer restaurant! In addition to the classic taste, you can try Delirium Red — a cherry beer with the elephant, as well as many other types of beer. We are waiting for you!
01 March 2021