Belgian wheat beer: uniqueness and difference from German varieties
Wheat beer is one of the oldest and most beloved styles in Europe. But while in Germany it is known as a spicy weizen, in Belgium it has become a completely different drink — refreshing, citrusy and often with unexpected additives. Let’s find out how Belgian wheat beer came to be, what varieties it has and how it differs fundamentally from its German counterpart.
Back in the past
Belgian witbier (witbier — «white beer») has a centuries-old history. It was brewed in the Middle Ages, using not only barley, but also wheat, oats and even buckwheat. Unlike Germany, where wheat beer was a privilege of the Bavarian nobility for a long time, in Belgium it was safely drunk by peasants and townspeople alike.
A peculiarity of the Belgian approach is the addition of spices. Local brewers used whatever was at hand: coriander, orange zest, herbs like wormwood. This made beer not only tasty, but also healthy — in those days it was considered almost a medicinal drink.
By the 19th century, whitbier had all but disappeared, replaced by cheaper lagers. But in the 1960s, it was revived by Pierre Seles, owner of the Hoegaarden brewery. He restored the old recipes, and today Belgian wheat beer is known all over the world.
Some of the most famous representatives of Belgian wheat include the world-famous Hoegaarden Original, Blanche de Bruxelles with its particularly delicate texture, St. Bernardus Witbier with a more pronounced hop character, and the unusual Brugse Tarwebier from Bruges, which is bottle aged to develop a complex flavor.
Belgian or German?
There are a few key differences between the Belgian and German approach. German varieties, such as Paulaner or Weihenstephaner, focus on pure yeast flavors such as banana and clove tones, which are created by special yeast strains. The Belgians, on the other hand, achieve a complex flavor profile through the addition of spice and citrus.
In terms of texture, Belgian beers are lighter and more carbonated, while German beers have a denser, almost creamy texture. The color also differs — Belgian variants often do appear «white» due to their cloudiness, while German ones can have a warmer golden or even amber color.
To serve, Germans traditionally use tall, narrow glasses to accentuate the flavor. Belgians prefer wide glasses or tulip glasses, which allow you to fully appreciate the aroma, taste and beauty of the drink.
You can try quality wheat varieties in any Lambic beer restaurant. Come and let’s find a drink that you will definitely like!
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