What to drink beer with: peculiarities of the choice of appetizers for different beers
Drinking beer is an art. For the drink to give the most of its flavor, it must be cooled to a certain temperature (depending on the type), served in the right glass and, of course, paired with the right appetizers. The importance of dishes served with beer should not be underestimated — food can both advantageously emphasize the characteristic features of the drink, and drown them out. One of the unfortunate examples is dried fish: this appetizer is considered to be universal, although in fact — it is suitable only for the most basic varieties. And for more complex drinks it is worth choosing a more refined accompaniment.
Perfect combinations
There are a few rules to follow when selecting appetizers:
- If a large meal is planned, beers should be matched with specific dishes, not the other way around.
- There are three main principles of compatibility: either the flavors should match, or the textures should match, or, conversely, the drink and the food should contrast with each other.
- Light beers should be served with low-fat dishes, malt beers are ideal for desserts, and strong and bitter beers for spicy food.
The rest depends on the style. A variety of meats goes well with ale: there's beef, pork, venison, ribs, smoked sausages, and chicken pâté. For those who don't eat meat dishes, there are alternatives, like baked vegetables or aged cheese.
Dark stout can be advantageously set off by hot pork and beef, any meat on coals, oysters. Milk stout is especially effective paired with chocolate, caramel ice cream, cheeses with noble mold.
To the light lager you should serve fish dishes and Asian snacks, and to the dark lager more suitable chicken kebab and Italian pasta.
Porter goes well with smoked meats, soft cheese, beef steak, as well as desserts, in which the taste of coffee or chocolate prevails.
Wheat beer reveals all the richness of flavor when combined with a pork shish kebab. If you don't like meat — no problem: you can prepare a seafood salad or serve goat cheese with the drink.
IPA lovers should choose baked red fish, spicy dishes and popular desserts — ice cream, cheesecake, chocolate cake — as an accompaniment.
In addition, there are universal dishes that can be combined with any kind of beer. These include cashews, mashed potatoes, pistachios, and sour cream sauces.
And if you're still afraid of missing your choice, come to Lambic Beer Restaurant — we'll find the best drinks and the right appetizers for you. Our catalog has dozens of names from the best manufacturers, including non-alcoholic options for those who come by car or lead a healthy lifestyle. And, of course, a wide variety of dishes — for the most harmonious combinations!
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