Trappist beer: a legend to be tasted
Every style of Belgian beer has its own twist, but there is a trend worth talking about separately. And it's not even the fact that it was invented by monks - other beers can also boast such a biography - it is the only beverage whose production is still controlled by ancient abbeys. Meet Trappist beer!
History of Creation
The Trappists were descended from disillusioned Cistercians: in 1098 the monks of the Benedictine abbey at Molem, dissatisfied with the order in the community, founded their own monastery. At first, everything went smoothly - the charter based on the precepts of St. Benedict was observed, the monks worked hard and maintained strict ascesis. But over time, discipline in the monasteries began to lag, and the situation might have become critical had it not been for the Abbey of La Trampe, which introduced a series of serious reforms. Thus came the Order of Cistercians of strict observance, whose members were called Trappists.
The Trappist monks did not start brewing beer by chance - the quality of water in those days left much to be desired, so the weak alcohol, purified from harmful bacteria during fermentation, was used as the main beverage. Trappists were famous for their hospitality and mercy. The production grew, the technology of brewing beer improved and finally the monks found their unique recipe. They used special yeasts to make the drink and left it to ferment in bottles. Some abbeys additionally added sugar to increase the strength of the beverage.
But Belgian monk beer only really took off at the beginning of the twentieth century, when the sale of hard liquor was prohibited in drinking establishments. In order to maintain their brand, bar owners began to buy beers that could replace liqueurs. The strength of Trappist beer was unmatched, and the drink immediately gained wide popularity.
Eventually it played a cruel joke on the monks - the brand got a lot of imitators. But in the end, justice prevailed - the court, to which the Trappists appealed, ruled in their favor.
Unique taste
Today only 13 certified breweries make "monastic" beer. All of them are attached to abbeys, and the producers are obliged to fulfill a number of conditions, for example, to send part of the profits to the monastery and charity.
The distinctive features of the Belgian monastic beer are a special thick taste, buttery-fruity aroma and high strength, which can be felt even physically after just a few sips. It is also of a consistently high quality, which is still guaranteed today by the strict control of production.
To taste a real Trappist beer, it is important to choose the right beer restaurant where you know firsthand what tradition is all about. The Lambic Brasserie chain is just such a place: we offer the best Belgian beer and know how to serve it properly. Come on!
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